[Paul Teller]

Paul Teller  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Naked Scientists!

The transistor and the laser were world changing technologies. 

My question is:  what will the next world changing technologies, ones that change the world as much as the transistor and laser did, be in the next five years?

Thanks!

Paul

What do you think?

[satishmatin]

recently i read about life created artificially.........
probably it is yet to become a world changing invention

[LeeE]

Within the next five years, it's possible that in-eye/Virtual Retinal Displays (VRD) may become widespread and replace display screens, ranging from TV screens to mobile phone and PDA displays, whilst at the same time making 3D imagery ubiquitous.  Because of the way these devices operate, they'll also be able to perform retinal identification and thus be able to display multiple different visual data streams to different people simultaneously.  Once VRDs do become widespread we'll finally see the convergence between personal computers and mobile phones/PDAs, and it will be this convergence that will actually change the way we do things and become world-changing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_retinal_display

[graham.d]

That's interesting Lee; I thought such things were still in the SciFi realm. My contacts tell me that there has, perhaps surprisingly, been little interest in 3D computer games. This despite the availability of 3D TVs and the relative ease with which games that utilise 3D can be produced (the information processing and knowledge of "depth" is alrerady there in many games). There seems a big reluctance to wear cross-polaroid specs let alone any sort of goggles. This system would remove some of these objections.

There have been quite big advances in MEMS technology recently and I note that a company is working on integrated arrays of tiny steerable mirrors that have the potential to make zoom lenses light and very compact indeed.

I wonder whether the advances in genetics and the availability of individual mapping of people's DNA will result in big advances in medicine optimised for each person's specific needs. It was mentioned on the TV but I suspect it is a way off yet. Not my field so need a "wetware" person to comment.
Edit: Oops! I just saw that this is in another thread in General Science

[Geezer]

I'd settle for a pair of self adjusting specs so I don't get a crick in my neck by peering through my bifocals at my computer all the time.

[peppercorn]

If we're talking about truly whole-world-changing tech then I would argue we already have it. It's just a case of making it available to the entire population of the planet independent of wealth or nation (like, right-on man!).

[peppercorn]

This article, published today, seems especially relevant:

link-found-between-infectious-disease-and-IQ

[RD]

I'd settle for a pair of self adjusting specs so I don't get a crick in my neck by peering through my bifocals at my computer all the time.

The next big thing: pince-nez pierce-nez  [] ...


http://www.piercedglasses.com/index.html

[Geezer]

I'd settle for a pair of self adjusting specs so I don't get a crick in my neck by peering through my bifocals at my computer all the time.

The next big thing: pince-nez pierce-nez  [] ...


http://www.piercedglasses.com/index.html

Excellent! I think I'll get them to put a bolt through my neck while I'm at it.

[peppercorn]

Excellent! I think I'll get them to put a bolt through my neck while I'm at it.

Ah, I knew I'd seen that face before    []