Magic or Technology -- aka 5 impossible things before lunch (to misquote Lewis Carroll)
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
Arthur C. Clark
"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
Alice in Wonderland (The White Queen)
This class was offered via the RISE program in Nashua, and OLLI in Manchester areas, and also in presentations for younger folks at the Academy for Science and Design, and various colleges in the area-- with potentially different topics as opportunities emerge.
We view TED.com short videos to share expert background and insight and then discuss the social and personal implications of emerging scientific and technological changes.
Topics include: immortality, viral ideas/memes, intelligent machines, augmented humanity, augmented reality, genetic engineering, etc.
Survey today’s capabilities, then look ahead at the magic on our horizon. We will consider the ethics, impact and exhilaration to be found there.
Jim Isaak comes from the world of computers and science fiction crossing engineering with an eclectic range of interests in social capital, the nature of knowledge and humanity. Jim was 2010 President of the IEEE Computer Society and a member of the Society for the Social Implications of Technology Board.
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