04-29-2003, 08:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Skin-deep Answer will put Mobiles into the Wrist Business
"Advances in nanotechnology mean that the lost or stolen mobile phone could become a thing of the past, according to technology research hothouse BTexact. Ian Pearson, Suffolk based BTexact�s futurologist believes that the concept of �active skin� � whereby incredibly small electronic circuits are inkjet printed onto the surface of the skin � could become a reality by 2010.
This, he says, will open the way for the integration of electronic devices such as the mobile phones or televisions literally �into� the human body. According to Pearson, circuits could be factory assembled in thin polymer membranes that adhere to the skin like children�s temporary tattoos and large-scale circuitry could be embedded in stick-on patches similar to plasters. The combination of layers allows entire gadgets to be built, and permits links between the body and electronic domains such as the internet."
This is a fascinating article! It's very "pie in the sky" in that it's full of ideas, with little thought to how they would be implemented, but I love reading about this type of conceptualization. What do you think? Will technology merge with biology to the point where we'll be wearing our computers, or will technology always remain an external component of our lives?
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04-29-2003, 08:09 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 30
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Nah
Great concept, but impractical in the sense that it'd open up the door to a whole bunch of privacy concerns. It'd probably just be too invasive to many.
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04-29-2003, 08:11 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 140
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I'd be interested to hear what other Christians have to say on this matter and whether they see it as being in any way significant.....
I know a lot will and do.
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04-29-2003, 08:17 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by PlayAgain?
I'd be interested to hear what other Christians have to say on this matter and whether they see it as being in any way significant.....
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Depends who's controlling the technology. :wink: If it's something that I go out and buy myself, that's fine. If the UN declares I have to have a chip in my hand to be a part of the world economy...that's a little different. But did you have to bring this up? Religion and online forums are a dangerous mix - you know that. 8O
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04-29-2003, 08:30 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 354
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Like his predeccessor Peter Cochrane, Ian Pearson has probably one of the most fun jobs around - looking into the far future beyond what is even feasable to prototype today and making up future inventions (and from experience we should all know that the future is never how we predicted it - where is my flying car and tinfoil clothing...).
People have been ever sceptical of letting computer devices into their lives, but it is happening day by day and we no longer even think twice about using mobile phones and PDAs, not to mention all of the "smart" systems which go unnoticed in household appliances and cars for example. It seems only logical therefore that our use of computers and hence dependence upon computer technology will increase with time.
However having computer devices actually implanted into the skin seems just a little far-fetched and worrying to most people currently. :robot:
Its a minefield of both technical and ethical questions which we have yet to scrape the surface of as we are still some way away from anything which can be prototyped. When you read some of the scenarios for the technology it comes across very much as a product looking for a requirement not the other way around.
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Having a TV printed onto the back of the hand might be quite appealing for TV addicts
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Anyone who is so hooked on television they have to carry it round on their hand 24/7 needs some therapy, which may or may not be cheaper than a skin based computer, we'll have to wait and see. :wink:
I can see many good uses for computer technology that may be practical for improving the lives of the ill or disabled for example. But just for the sake of having an MP3 player in your arm or something - WHY. Why not just attach yourself to a large computer and spend all day in a vat of pink goo, Keano Reeves swears by it apparently... 0X
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04-29-2003, 08:42 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 140
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No trouble intended. Personally (as a career coward), my first concern is that it would hurt! :cry:
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04-29-2003, 08:44 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 282
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"Hey, you got a tattoo of your mom on your arm"
"No dude, I'm teleconferencing with her"
:roll:
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04-29-2003, 08:45 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Well, FWIW, I'd be the first to sign up for something like this. We're surrounded by technology that is all so utterly STUPID - we need something to act as a nexus point, so it might as well be a human being. :way to go:
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04-29-2003, 08:51 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 342
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Can you say cancer!
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04-29-2003, 08:55 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 129
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Part of the problem with stupid technology is the stupid people who design *and buy, I might add* said tech. I can't forsee anything I could want stuck on my arm... now, if this was used in the medical field, where it could be used in practical ways, such as measurements or testing (temporary thermometer?), then I could see it working. To "tattoo" a watch on my arm.. no.
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