SciFi Discussion Lobby

[scifan57]

Here's my autographed proof copy of Lord Valentine's Castle by Robert Silverberg.

 

[scifan57]

Just saw this store display at work, Admiral. I thought you might like it.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

Just saw this store display at work, Admiral. I thought you might like it.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=27018"/>

I was surfing Zune last night and noted
P R O M E T H E U S is available pay-per view and as a download purchase. Decisions, decisions.

AA

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[KevinJS]

Most of what we take for granted now was described in science fiction at some point.

Here's a site that attempts to make some predictions, based partly on extrapolation, partly on guesses and partly on hopes.

It does make political and religious predictions, so I'd ask you to bear in mind the rules of our forum if you want to discuss anything it contains. There is plenty of science available and this is the reason I'm posting it. I scoured the site last night, and it is truly fascinating.

http://www.futuretimeline.net/index.htm#.UHfauLe9LTo

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[AdmiralAdama]

Most of what we take for granted now was described in science fiction at some point.

Here's a site that attempts to make some predictions, based partly on extrapolation, partly on guesses and partly on hopes.

It does make political and religious predictions, so I'd ask you to bear in mind the rules of our forum if you want to discuss anything it contains. There is plenty of science available and this is the reason I'm posting it. I scoured the site last night, and it is truly fascinating.

http://www.futuretimeline.net/index.htm#.UHfauLe9LTo

Sent from my iPhone using iPF

Fascinating indeed. I'll be spending considerable time browsing.
Thx.

AA

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Kaykaykay]

Can't wait for self-driven cars. Google's been making headway and at least two states have approved them.

 

[Gabriel1]

Can't wait for self-driven cars. Google's been making headway and at least two states have approved them.

They should just release them now, they can't be anymore dangerous than my ex, she is lethal behind the wheel!

The Archangel

 

[scifan57]

Can't wait for self-driven cars. Google's been making headway and at least two states have approved them.

Remember the 1950's predictions that by the 1960's we would all be using flying cars and Jet packs?

 

[Kaykaykay]

Remember the 1950's predictions that by the 1960's we would all be using flying cars and Jet packs?

I tend to be more conservative toward tech predictions -- I look at what's been accomplished and what the market might support for what might be viable in the reasonable future.

A lot of those 1950s predictions seemed like wishful thinking or fantasy. That's fine if we're talking fiction, lol. But maybe they were just a product of those times, when people were more naive or optimistic, maybe less grounded in reality, maybe more ignorant.

Information is much more readily available nowadays, and we don't need to trust "experts" (some real, some pretenders); we can easily look for more information and differing viewpoints.

It's fun to speculate, though.

 

[Kaykaykay]

Meant to paste this earlier:

Google's Driverless Car Draws Political Power - WSJ.com

I expect the first self-driving cars will be expensive, but am keen to see them hit the market.

 

[Bennettb]

My driving skills have not improved with age. I need self driving cars right now!

Bobbi

 

[scifan57]

Self driving cars could turn out to be very useful to the visually and physically impaired.

 

[Kaykaykay]

Self driving cars could turn out to be very useful to the visually and physically impaired.

They'd change the lives of many. Check out these crash stats, for example:

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1103.pdf

Consider the number of people injured and/or maimed or killed every year. If we all had self-driving cars, drunken driving wouldn't be a factor. Young drivers, elderly drivers, inattentive drivers, etc., wouldn't be a concern. We'd have less gridlock and higher productivity.

Such cars would be a game changer.

 

[scifan57]

Such a car would have to be connected to an integrated traffic management system to be truly effective.

 

[Kaykaykay]

Such a car would have to be connected to an integrated traffic management system to be truly effective.

That would maximize efficiency, but even self-driving cars lacking that (which I think way, way off, considering lack of government money) would be better able to regulate traffic, leading to less gridlock. Accidents also would be far fewer, another reason there'd be less traffic.

Consider all the erratic driving habits of people, eliminated by self-driving cars.