| We've all heard the saying "Guns don't kill people, | | | | understanding of how things are. Of course, my |
| people kill people!" So, with this statement | | | | grandfather was a nuclear physicist, so, I am |
| extrapolated can we also apply it to other | | | | good on that. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs |
| technology advances that kill people? For instance; | | | | were unfortunate, but history agrees that it |
| Landmines do not kill people. Atomic Bombs do | | | | ended the war and actually saved lives. And yes, I |
| not kill people. Automobiles do not kill people. Is it | | | | know the victorious army always re-writes |
| the technology which is bad or the human | | | | history, but it is a good point. |
| element we have to watch out for? | | | | The invention of the reciprocating engine is a |
| Not long ago a gentleman emailed into a think | | | | great way to get lots of power in a small motor. |
| tank after reading an article about Conflict and | | | | Coal, Kerosene, Oil, yes, all good, and it sure beats |
| Technology which essentially pointed a finger at | | | | burning wood to boil water to make steam to |
| mankind and their inherent problems and let | | | | have an energy form you can use to do work, |
| technology off the hook for the deaths that it | | | | right? Are there better ways to do things, more |
| happened to cause. This gentleman asked three | | | | efficient means of converting energy to the |
| simple questions. Indeed, perhaps we might | | | | proper form to do work, sure there are and as |
| discuss them; | | | | mankind progresses and learns more, they'll figure |
| | | | it out. |
| 1. Would you say the splitting of the atom had a | | | | There would be innovation in the surgical fields |
| good impact on society rather than a bad one? | | | | without all the other technologies, yes, I believe |
| 2. Would you say that the discovery of fossil fuel | | | | this to be true, but, I would submit to you that |
| and the advent of the combustible engine were | | | | the combination is what really makes things fly. |
| worth "it"? | | | | Perhaps, this is why it is worthy to discuss Ray |
| 3. Also, do you think we could have still had the | | | | Kurzweil and his theories on the "Singularity" as |
| advancements in the surgical fields without any of | | | | when you take computer science, bio-science, |
| the aforementioned? | | | | new materials, nano-technology, alternative |
| Okay, let me share with you some thoughts | | | | energy, and combine them all, well, wow! |
| from my perspective. First, I am pro-nuclear | | | | You have a bunch of different areas of innovation |
| power. And I am pro-microwave ovens, even if I | | | | coming together at once, thus Moore's Law |
| wouldn't want to cook a secret Cheese Cake | | | | seems almost indefinite. The future comes, |
| recipe in one, they are great for many things. I | | | | technology is good. Now with that said will some |
| also like communicating on this little human | | | | of this new technology be used to for war? |
| invention we call the Internet, ARPA predecessor | | | | Unfortunately, we know it will, but we must look |
| to DARPA. I like Jet Aircraft Travel too. | | | | back at history and note that technology built for |
| So, I'd say splitting of the Atom has led to many | | | | conflict has considerably advanced the human |
| great innovations (energy as an example) and | | | | species in so many ways. So think on this. |