Archive for the ‘innovation’ category: Page 199
Sep 15, 2015
The Imminence of Transhuman Technologies
Posted by Dan Faggella in categories: bioengineering, ethics, existential risks, genetics, health, innovation, neuroscience
Progress always seems to ride a slippery slope. Innovations generally bring a plethora of potential benefits and just as many dangers, the obvious and the hidden. Technologies that tamper with our biological constructs is well underway in the neuro- and biotech industries. Historically, innovations in medicine have usually been beneficial on the aggregate.
But these new breakthroughs go beyond preventing and healing pre-existing causes. Transhuman technologies hold the promise of enhancing who we are as individuals and potentially as an entire species, and the decisions surrounding these technologies are far from simple. Dr. Nayef Al-Rodhan, a philosopher, neuroscientist, and director of the Geneva Center for Security Policy, believes we should be acting now to prepare for the inevitable and the unpredictable ramifications.
Framing Human Motivation
Considering our mixed track record as a species in rolling out groundbreaking innovations, discussing and finding potential solutions to many of the hidden dangers, and obvious ones, seems more than reasonable. One of the more puzzling questions is, where do we begin to have a pragmatic conversation on the ethics of these technologies?
There are plenty of theories about what drive human decisions, not least because human morality is infinitely complex and our minds crave frames through which to make sense of chaos. Dr. Al-Rodhan has his own conception of what drives human motivations. He makes meaning using the lens of “5 P’s” – Power, Pride, Profit, Pleasure, and Permanence – which he posits drive human motivations. “This is my view, the foundation of my outlook…this perceived emotion of self interest drives our moral compass.”
Continue reading “The Imminence of Transhuman Technologies” »
Sep 13, 2015
Breakthrough: Artificial Leaf Capable Of Producing Oxygen Could Make Living In Space A Reality!
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: innovation, space
The man-made “plant” can create endless oxygen using light and water!
Pioneers have been dreaming about living in outer space for eons, but there’s always been one major roadblock: securing a long-term oxygen supply. Toting around an indefinite supply of O2 isn’t feasible, and obtaining oxygen from plants in space is difficult, as green vegetation does not thrive in zero gravity environments.
But thanks to graduate student Julian Melchiorri, long-term space travel could soon be a reality. Melchiorri worked with Dezeen and MINI Frontiers to produce the Silk Leaf, an invention capable of sustaining life.
Sep 11, 2015
Breakthrough NIST study creates molecules out of photons
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: innovation, physics
A new study in manipulating photons has created the first two-photon structure that behaves like a molecule of matter.
Sep 9, 2015
Creating a Culture of Innovation and Breakthroughs — Peter Diamandis | SENS Research Foundation Conference
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: innovation, life extension
Sep 9, 2015
Verizon to start 5G wireless testing ahead of schedule
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: innovation, transportation
US telecom giant Verizon announced Tuesday it would start field testing of the superfast fifth generation of wireless technology or 5G, in 2016.
The announcement aims to accelerate the deployment of the new wireless system that could unleash innovation and new services such as driverless cars and remote surgery.
Sep 4, 2015
Changing the World Panel—Singularity Summit 2009—Peter Thiel, Eliezer Yudkowsky, Aubrey de Grey — MIRI | Vimeo.com
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: hacking, innovation, life extension, robotics/AI, Singularity University
Enter our new 3D NAND technology, which uses an innovative process architecture to provide 3X the capacity of planar NAND technologies while providing better performance and reliability.
Sep 3, 2015
‘Ear-in-a-dish’ technology developed
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: biotech/medical, innovation
Auricyte LLC, an Indiana University startup that aims to cure hearing loss by growing human stem cells into functioning hearing cells, is among five companies being honored Thursday for being named “Best in Show” at the recent Innovation Showcase 2015.
Auricyte, an Indiana University startup that aims to cure hearing loss by growing human stem cells into functioning hearing cells, was named among the five top companies at Innovation Showcase 2015.
Sep 2, 2015
Sky Greens brings farming into a bountiful vertical future
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: energy, food, innovation
When it comes to growing food, the sky’s the limit thanks to innovations like the Sky Urban Vertical Farming System. Designed and pioneered by the Singapore-based company Sky Greens, the vertical farming system is a revolutionary modern spin on the ancient practice of agriculture. Using cutting edge technology, the system demonstrates an energy efficient, environmentally friendly method of producing food that could be a powerful tool in feeding the ever-growing, increasingly urbanized, global population.
