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October 4th, 2007

Remember Sputnik

Abstract:
I mention this anniversary because it is important to understand that today's accelerating pace of technological change implies, among other things, that society will likely experience the equivalent of 50 years of progress (at the old 20th century rate of change) in the next 10 to 15 years. And everywhere I look today—in the fields of nanotechnology, robotics, synthetic biology, information technology and the cognitive sciences—I see the modern day equivalent of the Sputnik launch.

For example, in this piece which I wrote for MSNBC last month entitled "Nanotech is in the Genes," I discussed how advances in nanotechnology are enabling diagnostic technologies that will effectively utilize genetic information to better treat people's illinesess. In the process, it will revolutionize health care. In the field of robotics, Oshkosh Truck Company has just launched a hulking new robotic truck, dubbed TerraMax, that drives itself. And in synthetic biology, Craig Venter and others are increasingly confident that within the next few years they will have successfully created artificial life forms that could transform the energy sector.

Source:
jumpthecurve.net

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