From: mk_thisisit
Our ancestors would consider us “sorcerers” who can create images out of nothing and communicate instantly with the whole world [00:00:00]. The world of the future is predicted to be similar to the mythical world of the gods [00:00:17].
Predictions for the Future
It is difficult to predict what the world will look like in 2050 in a constantly changing environment [00:02:52]. However, reasonable assumptions can be made based on the directions of development in physics and chemistry [00:06:02]. Our great-great-great-great-grandchildren may live in a world where they can control life, matter, and energy, which is currently impossible [00:04:43]. What we consider magic or voodoo today may be the reality for our great-grandchildren [00:05:05].
The Role of Technology
Technology has given us the opportunity to communicate and share knowledge, largely due to the internet [00:29:05]. Progress has a direction towards democratization and sharing the fruits of technology [00:30:06].
Immortality
There are two main types of immortality discussed:
Digital Immortality
Digital immortality involves creating a mechanical clone of oneself with most memories and thought patterns [00:30:06]. The first generation of digitally immortal people already exists [00:12:45]. For example, William Shatner, known from Star Trek, created an image of himself through extensive interviews that will “live forever” and allow conversations with future generations [00:13:07]. This form of immortality, though primitive today, is possible to implement and allows thoughts to be preserved forever [00:13:29].
Organic Immortality
Organic immortality allows the physical body to live forever [00:00:48]. Solutions proposed include:
- Digitizing the Brain: It is possible to digitize the brain itself [00:15:09]. While disassembling an insect brain (100,000 neurons) has been achieved, digitizing the human brain (100 billion neurons) is considered only a matter of time [00:15:34]. This is essentially transferring the brain to a computer or vice-versa [00:16:42]. This process will take centuries but is deemed possible [00:16:55].
- Replacing Organs: Inventing organic immortality could mean replacing used organs with new ones [00:00:48].
Quantum Computing and AI
Computers in the future will be quantum, making them millions of times more powerful than today’s computers [00:06:34]. This will enable artificial intelligence to become a reality and a norm in society [00:06:47].
Today’s computers are Newtonian, operating on binary (zeros and ones) [00:07:02]. Quantum computers, however, work in the world of quantum mechanics, with infinite states [00:07:15]. While current quantum computers are not universal and can only work on one problem at a time, they are millions of times more powerful than digital computers [00:07:39]. The future is quantum computers [00:08:08].
The human brain is believed to be partially quantum, and quantum computers already exist that operate somewhat similarly to a quantum brain [00:11:55].
Human Evolution and Space Colonization
In 100 years, descendants may live like Greek gods, able to manipulate matter, energy, and life itself [00:08:19]. This includes manipulating the human genome, not just one gene, but the entire genome [00:08:44].
Instead of adapting planets like Mars to human needs, humanity may be able to modify itself to survive in different universal environments [00:11:04].
Superhumans and Colonization
There is progress in connecting the human brain to external devices [00:17:16]. This has allowed paralyzed individuals to control exoskeletons with their thoughts, as demonstrated at the Olympic Games in Sao Paulo [00:18:11].
In the future, this could lead to giving humans super abilities, like creating or moving things available only to robots [00:19:21]. These “superhumans” could potentially colonize Mars and the universe thanks to their enhanced capabilities [00:19:32]. This improved version of humanity could be possible within 100 to 1000 years [00:19:47].
Digital self-digitization, saving thought patterns into software, and launching it into space for connection with an exoskeleton upon arrival on a celestial body is a theoretical method for space exploration [00:20:01]. Similarly, launching exoskeletons with consciousness onboard could enable universal discovery [00:20:34].
Conscious Machines
The possibility of creating a conscious machine depends on the definition of consciousness, for which there is currently no single theory [00:21:39]. However, it is believed that a machine could be created that knows its location, understands its position in the universe, and can interact with humans and other beings [00:21:52].
Future Civilizations (Kardashev Scale)
Physicists analyze space for clues about alien civilizations, categorizing them into types:
- Type 1 Civilization: Masters all the energy of its planet, controlling everything from sunlight to earthquakes and volcanoes [00:23:21]. Such civilizations can only colonize a few planets in their solar system [00:24:30].
- Type 2 Civilization: Uses the power of its planet and its sun, controlling all solar energy to power machines [00:23:35]. The Federation of Planets from Star Trek would be an example of a Type 2 civilization [00:23:55].
- Type 3 Civilization: Has a galactic character, traveling galactic routes and even interacting with black holes, akin to Star Wars [00:24:02]. A Type 3 civilization may have access to Plank energy, which is the greatest energy in the universe [00:25:02]. Plank energy can destabilize space, creating space-time anomalies or “bubbles” (space-time foam, formulated by Stephen Hawking) [00:25:20]. The Big Bang itself could have been a bubble reaching Plank energy and expanding [00:26:05]. A Type 3 civilization might use this as a gateway for space travel [00:26:21].
Threats to Civilizations
Civilizations tend to self-destruct [00:26:32]. For Type 1 civilizations, four scenarios for self-destruction are identified: nuclear weapons, biological weapons, global warming, and artificial intelligence [00:26:41]. Artificial intelligence, possessing the power of all human technologies, could lead to self-destruction if used for the wrong purpose [00:27:06].
Time and the Future
Theoretically, a time machine could be built [00:30:51]. While time seems to flow in one direction, Einstein suggested it is dynamic, like a river with eddies that can fork [00:31:09]. Stephen Hawking theorized that through time-space tunnels, one might travel into the future but not necessarily the past, due to the risk of energy accumulation and explosion if a loop is created [00:31:36]. However, a loophole exists if universes do not explode upon repeated trips, making past travel possible with a significant amount of energy, like Plank energy [00:32:41].
Optimism for Progress
Despite historical patterns of disasters and wars, viewing history in terms of centuries reveals “incredible progress” [00:28:16]. History has a clear direction towards democratization and the dissemination of technology that can free humanity from hard work [00:28:45]. This progress is uneven but undeniable [00:29:05].