Disruptive Science

Hi everyone,

Just wrote a blog on Tablets as Disruptive Technology. I now want to talk a bit about Disruptive Science.

The NASA Kepler Spacecraft has the unique mission of finding planets, very special planets around other stars and specifically planets that are of a type and in orbits which could conceivably support life as we know it. Well, less that two years in there are over 1200 candidate planets with 50 odd that could, potentially, support life. That is in addition to the 519 extra solar planets that we have already discovered.

This article on SpaceRef.com describes the news well: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=32632

Why is this disruptive, well on the surface it isn't, but something will change very radically in our world when we discover life on other planets. This brings that day a bit closer and it will happen.

Here are three other disruptive science that is looming over us:

1. Investigations of how the human brain works - specific brain regions have specific functions, memory works in specific ways, consciousness exists due to biological processes and brain structures. Crack these items and we could be looking at direct computer interfaces to the brain, machine augmented telepathy and, wait for it, the big one... Immortality! Will it happen quickly, well, don't expect your grandchildren to tell you about it.
2. Detailed understanding of the human genome. Right now we have it mapped but what the genes do, understanding that will lead to better understanding of diseases, highly tailored drug and treatment regimes and gene therapies. Implications include the extension of human life span as well as the elimination of cancer.
3. Research into plant and animal genomes. Kind of an extension of 2 but, understand this, we need GM crops and foods. We don't need organic farming (remember Organic Food is no better for you, costs more and is way less efficient), we need ways to grow animal protean in a factory, not on feed lots. Implications here: feeding a growing world population, reduction of eating of animals (while still eating meat, yum!).

Well, time will tell, we may see some of this or not, but great news about Kepler!!!

Paul