The Central Question of the Future
The central question of co-evolution is not what the computer will become, but what kind of people we are becoming…
Can human understanding about human understanding increase? Can we learn what actually makes teams work? Can we truly understand cognition? Do we have a moral obligation to use enhancement technology to make ourselves beings who are more compassionate, moral and wise? Is it our only chance for survival? The planet comes with an expiration date.
–Joel Garreau (Radical Evolution)
The Ultimate Reboot
This excellent 19 minute video examines the impact of engineering cells, tissues and robots on human functioning and the creation of the next step in human evolution. The first 7 minutes focuses on more immediate issues related to the economy.
“Juan Enriquez thinks and writes about the profound changes that genomics and other life sciences will cause in business, technology, politics and society.”
Radical Evolution
Joel Garreau’s book Radical Evolution (2005) may be one of the best introductions for educators and their students to the future and the key changes we will face . Its focus is on one of the key themes of the future, the enhancement of human capabilities. This theme maintains that the next step in human evolution will not come about through natural biological processes, but through the intentional development of augmentations and enhancements that will produce a new human being. The GRIN technologies (genetics, robotics, information technology and nanotechnology) are the key players in this process.
Written by a journalist, Radical Evolution is an engaging, informative, and provocative view of the future. It should work well in any discussion oriented educational environment.
