Digital Delights - Digital Tribes

This article by Wired.com discusses conceptual ideas for the future.

The first item discussed is the idea to make planes rechargeable. With global warming on the rise and concerns for environmental health increasing, it comes with no surprise that this idea was created. There have been some break throughs in the automotive industry in environmentally efficient design. There are developments for electrical or rechargeable cars but there is no product readily available for the mainstream consumer. Evidently, if environmentally friendly cars are still in development it may be some time before rechargeable technology is available to aircrafts. With the above statements there is the need to continue to research further into this topic to gain a better understanding on the possibilities of airline and automotive technology.

Big idea 2 – Fuel the Planet with Micromachines is about using man made molecules for energy. This idea is quite far from development. A micro scale battery will be required for these molecules. This is bigger thinking for a bigger future and not much can be said at this point but I feel to understand the possibility of this technology I should do more research. In my opinion this technology is something to expect in the distant future.

Big idea 3 – Spray Wi-Fi hot spots on everything is an idea about preparing for widespread WiFi. According to Wired, the WiFi and 4G network industry will contribute several trillions of dollars on a global scale by 2020. To keep up with demand Chamtech Enterprises has developed a spray containing millions of nano-capacitors which is more conductive of signals than the standard antennae rod. Personally, I am not sure how I feel about this kind of technology. This research is very useful to my essay by supporting the claim that technology needs to be updated for the purpose of keeping up with high demand.

Big idea 4 – Turn Deserts into Power Plants is not a new idea but many questions have been asked; how do we harness the energy? What is the most optimal way of channelling this energy? and what is the most cost effective way of directing energy to the required destination? With the power of technology there is always an answer.

Big idea 5 – Put Digital Displays in Your Eyes and this article is not talking about the “Google Glass” kind.

Big idea 6 – Declare War on Incoming Asteroids, do we have the technology for this? Are we prepared enough?

Big idea 7 – Build Skyscrapers from Diamonds, as the title suggests the proposition is to consider alternative materials for construction. Diamonds are formed from Carbon, the hardest element known to mankind. Imagine this near indestructible material used for construction the security and aesthetic appeal would be phenomenal. There is technology readily available to manufacture man made diamonds (small diamonds). However, the creation of diamond is a lengthy process and the costs to manufacture diamond on bigger scale would be unbelievably expensive.  This is a great concept, highly ambitious but not currently plausible.