Inventions that would change the world?

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Wed Nov 28, 2001 8:41 am

Can you think of an invention that would truly change the world? Something that would change the fundaments of our existance, of humanity as a species, or of society as we know it today?

In these cloning, stem cell and genetic engineering times, perhaps the possibility to change the human life span is a candidate.

Another candidate would be considerably faster space travelling.

Other suggestions?

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Wed Nov 28, 2001 9:39 am

Well this is maybe not much of an invention, but more an discovery.
Seeing as "they've" (NASA) have discovered a planet outside our solar-system with an atmosphere (natrium IIRC) it would proberly be the greates discovery to find a planet with our kind of atomsphere.

Wich would be the first step to prove more of "our" kind of life in the universe.

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Wed Nov 28, 2001 9:48 am

A can of beer that takes itself out the fridge, opens itself and pours into a glass before floating to your hand. Monumental

That and a mute device that worked on people.

fable · Post by **fable** » Wed Nov 28, 2001 9:56 am

A kind of experience swapper: for one day, you would absorb the prevalent memories of another individual, while keeping your own memory and personality on top.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Wed Nov 28, 2001 10:30 am

Things that would change the foundations of our very existence:

Cold fusion.

Actual competition for Microsoft.

American beer that doesn't taste like warmed-over goat urine.

Nanotechnology that will enable cybernetic implants to duplicate human motion, sensitivity and functions. Also sensory implants that will restore sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf.

Playoffs for NCAA Division I-A football.

A VCR that will be so easy to program that even my technology-challenged mother can record That 70's Show while watching JAG.

A flat income tax.

When I worked at Barnes & Noble, I'd have paid a lot of money for a giant robotic hand that would drop out of the ceiling and beat the hell out of parents who told their kids, "You don't have to clean up your mess; that's why they have salespeople."

Car engines that will go longer than 3,000 miles before needing an oil change.

A mind-reading device that will enable men to understand what response their spouse wants when they say, "Does this make my butt look big?"

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Wed Nov 28, 2001 12:49 pm

Originally posted by HighLordDave:
American beer that doesn't taste like warmed-over goat urine.

You mean you've tasted warmed-over goat urine?

Lessee...

Matter-Antimatter Reaction Power Generators.

Starships

Warp Drive

Tricorders

Phasers

A personal cloaking device.

Forcefield Shielding for cars and such.

Structural Integrity Fields

Inertia Dampening Fields

Artificial Gravity Plating for starships and space stations.

A virtual reality mall that has EVERY shop imaginable.

Holodecks. Imagine playing Baldur's Gate where you really ARE the PC.

Universal Translators (Just don't let Babel Fish program them!)

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Wed Nov 28, 2001 1:09 pm

A car powered by the earths magnetic pull...

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Wed Nov 28, 2001 1:11 pm

Originally posted by Sailor Saturn:
You mean you've tasted warmed-over goat urine?

No, but if you drink some Natural Light, it takes very little imagination to pick up on the taste.

Did you watch too much of the ST: TNG marathon on TNN over the weekend?

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Wed Nov 28, 2001 1:52 pm

Originally posted by HighLordDave:
No, but if you drink some Natural Light, it takes very little imagination to pick up on the taste.

Did you watch too much of the ST: TNG marathon on TNN over the weekend?

Nope. I only watched a couple of episodes. I have, however, seen every episode of TNG at least twice, the first time seeing each episode being the first time each episode aired.

The most difficult thing about inventing the warp drive would probably the matter-antimatter reaction chamber of the Warp Core, don't you think?

Some other good inventions would be tractor beams and transporters(though you probably couldn't pay me enough to use a transporter to get somewhere, it'd come in very handy when moving!).

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 1:07 pm

Originally posted by Gruntboy:
That and a mute device that worked on people.

WE NEED THIS!

EDIT: A personal cloaking device doesn't sound too bad either...

Girls locker room here I come!

[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: Gaxx_Firkraag ]

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 1:28 pm

Originally posted by Gaxx_Firkraag:
A personal cloaking device doesn't sound too bad either...

Girls locker room here I come!

I'm honestly no one mentioned this 'application' sooner.

Harry2052 · Post by **Harry2052** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 1:43 pm

Originally posted by Sailor Saturn:
I'm honestly no one mentioned this 'application' sooner.

Looks like the shortening disease has struck again and quite severly

harry

Silvanerian · Post by **Silvanerian** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 2:05 pm

What would really change the world and test your mettle, is the uninvention of electricity.

Yeah, no BG2, no SYM board and no nuked dinners.
Maybe I'm just born in the wrong age.

-Syl

CM · Post by CM » Thu Nov 29, 2001 2:54 pm

Idiot detector!!
Once it goes off you know it is time to move!!

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 3:05 pm

Erm the computer, that would change the world.....just imagine it, we might even get to the stage of having parts of the world remotely connected to a virtual network that provides information to these other remote computers.....it could be brilliant

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 3:33 pm

Originally posted by Harry2052:
Looks like the shortening disease has struck again and quite severly

harry

Damn, Aegis must still be contagious.

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 3:35 pm

Originally posted by Mr Sleep:
Erm the computer, that would change the world.....just imagine it, we might even get to the stage of having parts of the world remotely connected to a virtual network that provides information to these other remote computers.....it could be brilliant

What a revolutionary and original idea!!

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 3:38 pm

Originally posted by Sailor Saturn:
 What a revolutionary and original idea!!

I forgot to add, "It will then be spammed to death with appaling Frontpage sites"

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 6:48 pm

Originally posted by Mr Sleep:


I forgot to add, "It will then be spammed to death with appaling Frontpage sites"

You totally lost me there. But, if it's spam, then it must be a good thing.

Mr Snow · Post by **Mr Snow** » Thu Nov 29, 2001 7:59 pm

Originally posted by Fas:
Idiot detector!!
Once it goes off you know it is time to move!!

Everyone would be deaf then, with the constant racket