Comments on: Science Fiction Movies: The Technologies They Introduce, the Ones They Ignore, and Some I’d Like (and Fully Expect) To See http://www.gnorb.net/721/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see Fiction has to be plausible. Reality is under no such constraint. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:13:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Zuz http://www.gnorb.net/721/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see#comment-79151 Zuz Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:06:43 +0000 http://www.gnorb.net/scifi/20061219/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see/#comment-79151 If you want realistic sci-fi, try 2001: A Space Odyssey and its sequels by Arthur C. Clarke. If you want realistic sci-fi, try 2001: A Space Odyssey and its sequels by Arthur C. Clarke.

]]> By: Gnorb.NET » Blog Archive » Battlestar Galactica, Season 1 Observations http://www.gnorb.net/721/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see#comment-20302 Gnorb.NET » Blog Archive » Battlestar Galactica, Season 1 Observations Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:13:43 +0000 http://www.gnorb.net/scifi/20061219/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see/#comment-20302 [...] I just finished watching the first season of the new Sci-Fi Chanel version of Battlestar Gallactica. I wrote about it before, after having seen the opening movie, and while I wasn’t too impressed, I liked what I saw. (Luckily in sci-fi there are only two kinds of movies: good movies and funny movies. The first are usually intentional and very well planned out. The second usually aren’t.) I borrowed a copy of the DVDs from a friend (Thank you, Dora!) and decided to spend one night watching the whole season. Thankfully, while not a sci-fi nerd, The Wife likes sci-fi just enough to watch the series with me. What follows are a few observations I made regarding the show. This isn’t a review, so don’t expect one. Also, don’t expect it to be very serious: while the observations are real, remember than in sci-fi there are never any bad moments: only good ones and funny ones. [...] [...] I just finished watching the first season of the new Sci-Fi Chanel version of Battlestar Gallactica. I wrote about it before, after having seen the opening movie, and while I wasn’t too impressed, I liked what I saw. (Luckily in sci-fi there are only two kinds of movies: good movies and funny movies. The first are usually intentional and very well planned out. The second usually aren’t.) I borrowed a copy of the DVDs from a friend (Thank you, Dora!) and decided to spend one night watching the whole season. Thankfully, while not a sci-fi nerd, The Wife likes sci-fi just enough to watch the series with me. What follows are a few observations I made regarding the show. This isn’t a review, so don’t expect one. Also, don’t expect it to be very serious: while the observations are real, remember than in sci-fi there are never any bad moments: only good ones and funny ones. [...]

]]> By: Gnorb http://www.gnorb.net/721/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see#comment-14296 Gnorb Wed, 20 Dec 2006 18:00:10 +0000 http://www.gnorb.net/scifi/20061219/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see/#comment-14296 Hey, Brian: - First of all, regarding your predictions for the future: wow. Very... detailed. Sadly, I'm pessimistic about a good number of the predictions, simply because I've observed that the speed at which we move towards new techniques and technologies (and the rate at which they're developed) is all too often inversely proportional to the level of wealth and power the old establishment has. (Example: solar power vs. coal for electricity.) That said, your list and reasons are two things any sci-fi writer should love to get their hands on! - As for the weaponry, all I can say is "wow, scary," although I wonder what the long-term effect of dropping a comet on an enemy in the same planet would be on the country dropping the comets. It seems if we ever wanted to split this world in to an Orwellian encarnation, all we'd need to do is introduce such weapons. Let's see how long the Turks stay allied with the US once we start bombarding Iran and in the process killing all their crops and that of all their neighbors. - Regarding the flying car: I actually wrote an article like this -- including information on flying cars -- for a magazine a few years ago, and know full well that there are already models out there that do the flying car thing with better gas mileage than most SUVs. But, as you pointed out, the problem is the whole safety issue. With no physical barriers to control where flying cars go, how long would it be before we started seeing news about cars crashing into schools and apartment buildings? There was a system discussed not all that long ago which would make driving a flying car as easy as riding a horse. (The theory was that if you were too drunk or tired, the horse could simply stop or take you back home, safely, and that flying cars should have the same type of "safety features.") I'm not sure the level of development on that, though. I'm guessing a higher level of AI will be needed before flying cars are really viable from the public standpoint. (Call it a guess, but once we start seeing cars that can truly and reliably drive themselves, soonthereafter will we begin seeing flying cars for the populace.) - Regarding the solar system: Frankly, I'd love to see us getting there, but we won't even be able to get started until we get off the planet. Staying here and trying to develop all these technologies is a bit like a man trying to figure out that all the lights are green between his home and his job before he goes to work. If life extension developments really start delivering on their promises, then my hopes will be raised (goooo cryonics!). Until then, I'll satisfy myself with looking towards the sci-fi. (As for the Kardashev levels, wouldn't the "Q" in Star Trek count as a Kardashev level 3 species?) - I don't think real tech has been stalled in the past few decades. It is simply a matter of the watched pot never boiling. Hey, Brian:
-
First of all, regarding your predictions for the future: wow. Very… detailed. Sadly, I’m pessimistic about a good number of the predictions, simply because I’ve observed that the speed at which we move towards new techniques and technologies (and the rate at which they’re developed) is all too often inversely proportional to the level of wealth and power the old establishment has. (Example: solar power vs. coal for electricity.) That said, your list and reasons are two things any sci-fi writer should love to get their hands on!
-
As for the weaponry, all I can say is “wow, scary,” although I wonder what the long-term effect of dropping a comet on an enemy in the same planet would be on the country dropping the comets. It seems if we ever wanted to split this world in to an Orwellian encarnation, all we’d need to do is introduce such weapons. Let’s see how long the Turks stay allied with the US once we start bombarding Iran and in the process killing all their crops and that of all their neighbors.
-
Regarding the flying car: I actually wrote an article like this — including information on flying cars — for a magazine a few years ago, and know full well that there are already models out there that do the flying car thing with better gas mileage than most SUVs. But, as you pointed out, the problem is the whole safety issue. With no physical barriers to control where flying cars go, how long would it be before we started seeing news about cars crashing into schools and apartment buildings? There was a system discussed not all that long ago which would make driving a flying car as easy as riding a horse. (The theory was that if you were too drunk or tired, the horse could simply stop or take you back home, safely, and that flying cars should have the same type of “safety features.”) I’m not sure the level of development on that, though. I’m guessing a higher level of AI will be needed before flying cars are really viable from the public standpoint. (Call it a guess, but once we start seeing cars that can truly and reliably drive themselves, soonthereafter will we begin seeing flying cars for the populace.)
-
Regarding the solar system: Frankly, I’d love to see us getting there, but we won’t even be able to get started until we get off the planet. Staying here and trying to develop all these technologies is a bit like a man trying to figure out that all the lights are green between his home and his job before he goes to work. If life extension developments really start delivering on their promises, then my hopes will be raised (goooo cryonics!). Until then, I’ll satisfy myself with looking towards the sci-fi. (As for the Kardashev levels, wouldn’t the “Q” in Star Trek count as a Kardashev level 3 species?)
-
I don’t think real tech has been stalled in the past few decades. It is simply a matter of the watched pot never boiling.

]]> By: Junior http://www.gnorb.net/721/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see#comment-14280 Junior Wed, 20 Dec 2006 14:12:49 +0000 http://www.gnorb.net/scifi/20061219/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see/#comment-14280 I also enjoy the battlestar galactica, as does a certain mole we both know. I've always been a little thrown off by technology and where we expect it to go. I'll start off with the last question you posed first. The present isnt anything i thought it would be like maybe 7 or so years ago. (anything before that and i was way too young to even try to make a coherent guess). I kinda thought by now everyone would have like a fully functioning pda/phone/ipod/whatever thingy attached to our wrist with a keyboards and all (a la buzz lightyear as thats the only thing i can think of right now.) I honestly expected for all the major cities to be connected wirelessly already and that everyone's electronics would all be interconnected as it is. (kinda like this up and coming N band thingy.) Like, someone could wake up and say. "House, set temperature to 76. Start the car and turn on the shower to XX degrees." I think something that my generation goes through is we expect things to change and happen technologically a bit faster than it actually does. We're impatient and want these thigns now. Another thing i would like to talk about is the lack of biological enhancements found in scifi (as a whole). I have a feeling many writers/directors are probably playing to the more conservative side of people and not looking to push the envelope at this point and time. The whole idea on improving on god's creation can be a touchy subject. Personally, i always thought we would be injected with nanomachines that would roam our system to aid our immune system and make us physically stronger at the same time. We're not changed biologically or genetically, but still better. Frankly i think if we want to see more technological advances, we almost have to look at the military and increase spending there. They'll always look at getting bigger and better stuff, (like a big honkin space gun) and that same technology will almost always eventually be converted to civillian use in some shape and form. I mean, who else would be most concerned with transportation, logistics management, faster communications network, faster and more portable computers, and the improvement of the human physiological capabilities. Thats just my loony toony. ( i recently found out canadian money is called that. Loony=$1, Toon=$2 so a loony toony logically equals $3) I also enjoy the battlestar galactica, as does a certain mole we both know.

I’ve always been a little thrown off by technology and where we expect it to go.

I’ll start off with the last question you posed first. The present isnt anything i thought it would be like maybe 7 or so years ago. (anything before that and i was way too young to even try to make a coherent guess).

I kinda thought by now everyone would have like a fully functioning pda/phone/ipod/whatever thingy attached to our wrist with a keyboards and all (a la buzz lightyear as thats the only thing i can think of right now.)

I honestly expected for all the major cities to be connected wirelessly already and that everyone’s electronics would all be interconnected as it is. (kinda like this up and coming N band thingy.) Like, someone could wake up and say. “House, set temperature to 76. Start the car and turn on the shower to XX degrees.”

I think something that my generation goes through is we expect things to change and happen technologically a bit faster than it actually does. We’re impatient and want these thigns now.

Another thing i would like to talk about is the lack of biological enhancements found in scifi (as a whole). I have a feeling many writers/directors are probably playing to the more conservative side of people and not looking to push the envelope at this point and time. The whole idea on improving on god’s creation can be a touchy subject.

Personally, i always thought we would be injected with nanomachines that would roam our system to aid our immune system and make us physically stronger at the same time. We’re not changed biologically or genetically, but still better.

Frankly i think if we want to see more technological advances, we almost have to look at the military and increase spending there. They’ll always look at getting bigger and better stuff, (like a big honkin space gun) and that same technology will almost always eventually be converted to civillian use in some shape and form. I mean, who else would be most concerned with transportation, logistics management, faster communications network, faster and more portable computers, and the improvement of the human physiological capabilities.

Thats just my loony toony. ( i recently found out canadian money is called that. Loony=$1, Toon=$2 so a loony toony logically equals $3)

]]> By: Brian Wang http://www.gnorb.net/721/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see#comment-14170 Brian Wang Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:10:40 +0000 http://www.gnorb.net/scifi/20061219/science-fiction-movies-the-technologies-they-introduce-the-ones-they-ignore-and-some-id-like-and-fully-expect-to-see/#comment-14170 Note: My first reply was on betterhumans related to sci fi genre. <a href="http://www.nanotech-now.com/products/nanonewsnow/issues/033/033.htm#Wang" rel="nofollow">Here are my predictions for the future from earlier in 2006</a> <a href="http://advancednano.blogspot.com/2006/03/summary-information-supporting-my.html" rel="nofollow">Here are links to supporting information for my predictions</a> <a href="http://advancednano.blogspot.com/2006/05/my-essay-considering-military-and.html" rel="nofollow">Future Military technology is discussed here</a> Future weapon. Send robot or crew out to one of the trillion space rocks. Camoflage it or cover it with metamaterials to make it invisible. Deflect and accelerate it. <a href="http://advancednano.blogspot.com/2006/09/update-on-using-space-rocks-as-kinetic.html" rel="nofollow">In this article is a link to an impact calculator for the size and speed of your space rock</a> More damage than a nuke. Plus hit a nuke and damage its mechanism and it does not blow up. Hit space rock and break it into pieces. Pieces have the same kinetic energy and target still gets destroyed. Attacker can deflect and push for years. Defender only has detection time less response time to put more energy into deflection or to get out of the way. <a href="http://advancednano.blogspot.com/2006/08/other-tech-fairly-practical-flying-car.html" rel="nofollow">I know you asked to not talk about it but FYI flying cars can be made affordably. </a> The issue is that it would be dangerous as heck for joe driver. Remember 44,000 traffic deaths per year in the USA and 1.2 million worldwide. Carnage in the air? Technologically feasible but a BAD idea. For science fiction, there is a lot to do in solar system. We can get to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale" rel="nofollow">Kardashev level 2</a> This is the level of the supertech space aliens in some extreme science fiction. Real tech is becoming and will be amazing and the past few decades things have been stalled out. Cool stuff is coming soon. Analog superconducting quantum computers next year from Dwave systems. Note: My first reply was on betterhumans related to sci fi genre.

Here are my predictions for the future from earlier in 2006

Here are links to supporting information for my predictions

Future Military technology is discussed here Future weapon. Send robot or crew out to one of the trillion space rocks. Camoflage it or cover it with metamaterials to make it invisible. Deflect and accelerate it.
In this article is a link to an impact calculator for the size and speed of your space rock More damage than a nuke. Plus hit a nuke and damage its mechanism and it does not blow up. Hit space rock and break it into pieces. Pieces have the same kinetic energy and target still gets destroyed. Attacker can deflect and push for years. Defender only has detection time less response time to put more energy into deflection or to get out of the way.

I know you asked to not talk about it but FYI flying cars can be made affordably.
The issue is that it would be dangerous as heck for joe driver. Remember 44,000 traffic deaths per year in the USA and 1.2 million worldwide. Carnage in the air? Technologically feasible but a BAD idea.

For science fiction, there is a lot to do in solar system. We can get to Kardashev level 2 This is the level of the supertech space aliens in some extreme science fiction.

Real tech is becoming and will be amazing and the past few decades things have been stalled out. Cool stuff is coming soon. Analog superconducting quantum computers next year from Dwave systems.

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