I have often pondered this question many times. Haven’t you? There are so many things to choose from. Some could revolutionize how we live today. Others are just another form of technology – like smart phones and tablet PCs.
Some are really awesome. And it’s hard to pick just one though. I want all of them – right now. Here’s my list of cool science fiction gadgets, ideas, or technology that I could think of that I would like to see invented tomorrow.
First, the Holodeck from the Star Trek series. This would be really cool. To be able to relive any moment in any place and in any time. To be able to dress the part, act in it, discuss things with people from the past, and so on. The holodeck would be like actually living and interacting in a history book. It also has great military uses, training applications, and mind boggling virtual realities. Sounds great to me. (photo: wired.com)
To me, this one is on my list of cool technology.
Next on my list, also comes from the Star Trek series. The ever popular phaser gun. On the series, it had three settings – stun, kill, and vaporize. It shoots lasers out of it, and the crew of the Enterprise always came up with some new way of using its technology to get them out of some bind they were in. But, it is just another gun. However, it easily heats things up when your cold, it can vaporize rocks, and in bigger systems can be used as weapons on the spaceship itself to fend off crazed alien attacks. So its also on my list. (photo: coolgadgets.com)
And what about the absolutely cool Stargate? This is one of my favorites. How cool would it be to be able to just walk through “water” and be on another planet in some other star system or galaxy? You can return home in the blink of an eye, and be home for supper. With this we could explore the galaxy and the universe without ever having to expend money or people on building ships for interstellar travel. We could do it all right here on planet Earth – and maybe find some friends that would share their secrets and technology to help out ole’ planet Earth, and find more resources. (photo: stargate.wiki.com)
This instant wormhole definitely makes my list of cool sci-fi tech.
Another fascinating science fiction concept is that of Cold Fusion. I’ve done previous articles on this. And although cold fusion is actually real, as it happens every second inside of a sun or star, we don’t yet have the knowledge to harness the power of cold fusion here on Earth. So its still considered somewhat science fiction. And though we are so close to finding cold fusion right now, we still are so far away. Who doesn’t want unlimited energy that never runs out? Who doesn’t want free, clean, no waste, unlimited energy for the future? Well, I do, and that’s why cold fusion has had me fascinated since I was a child. (photo: wired.com))
So this makes my list as well. It is commonly featured in many sci-fi shows.
Of course we can’t talk science fiction without mentioning the famous transporters from Star Trek. People have talked about this one invention and dreamed about it, oh, forever. Teleportation is becoming real, and we’ve already teleported a few particles already. But to teleport a human is far into the future, unless a miracle happens. To be able to beam humans or anything down to a planet, from one place to another, and backup to the ship is just incredible. This invention could revolutionize travel on Earth in ways we can’t even imagine. (photo: adinnerguest.com)
So this one is also on my list of awesome sci-fi tech.
Another science fiction favorite is parallel worlds and other dimensional beings. I can’t count how many inter-dimensional beings I’ve seen in science fiction shows and movies. And currently scientists believe that our Universe is made up of 10 dimensions. We just can’t see the other dimensions that are all around us. To be able to prove that other dimensions are in fact real and we could interact with these dimensions, would thrust our knowledge into the future in an instant. We would never be the same. Although not a gadget, but knowledge and understanding how the universe works makes my list of cool science fiction. (photo: bostonist.com)
We can’t forget about time travel. Absolutely not. A time machine, whether we construct one ourselves or find a stable wormhole, would be the greatest discovery of mankind by far. Man has dreamed of time travel forever. Do past, present, and future exist separately or all at once? Our understanding of the universe would increase dramatically if time travel were possible. Although time travel might break down many fundamental beliefs of today or give rise to others – like religion, economic, cultural, paranormal – it would still greatly improve our knowledge for the better. It might also allow mankind to really screw things up as well. Paradoxes could be created that could never be undone. Still, time travel is a definite dream and I would love for it to be here tomorrow (no pun intended). (photo: paranormalspy.com)
One thing that also crossed my mind was alien contact. I know, its not a gadget or technology. But it could be. If an alien civilization visited us and gave us technology, that would be awesome. But we all know how more advanced societies treat lesser societies. We know too well. And although this might be a good way to get us into a more futuristic world we dream of, it also might not turn out well for mankind.
Those are the ones on my list. You might have others on your list, and for completely different reasons. That’s what makes us unique. But I have seen what others on the science fiction forums have wished for. And my list has the same things.
Which one is above the rest? That’s hard to say. Thinking about it long enough, choosing the one that could bring forth many of the others, I guess I would have to say, oh I don’t know.
Teleportation would be awesome, but, wouldn’t help in the fact we would still have to discover all the others to really get us into the future world like we see in science fiction.
And phasers are the same way, its just another gun, another weapon. Do we really need another weapon? No.
Holodecks are exciting and awesome as well, but it would be just another tool. It wouldn’t help us arrive at cold fusion or space travel, or if there are other dimensions. So not sure about virtual reality.
So many things could go wrong with time travel. So many paradoxes could happen. And man has a history of screwing things up really good.
For me, it really comes down to knowledge. The gadgets are cool, but cold fusion could lead us to how the universe works. It could lead the Earth and its inhabitants out of the problem of diminishing resources. For all I know, once cold fusion solves the energy problems of the world, it could also solve our water supply problems. Then that could lead to other solutions we haven’t even thought of yet. It also could provide answers to building interstellar spacecrafts capable of exploring the universe or anti-gravity or whatever. So it is one that is hard to rule out.
And of course, learning that other dimensions exist, may also provide the same knowledge that cold fusion could bring to us. Understanding the universe and how everything works is the first step to, really, all the above. Once understanding is achieved, then you have the ability to build, create, develop, to go forward, to achieve whatever you desire. You would then understand how to build phasers and holodecks. You could develop cold fusion, anti-gravity, stargates, and so forth. Even time travel might be possible as well. Once we find that we are not alone, that there are other parallel worlds, when we learn what lies beyond the universe, when we communicate with other beings of whatever dimension, then we take a giant leap that catapults us into the realm of today’s science fiction.
If I had to pick one off of my list, I think discovering other dimensions would be what I would pick. Knowledge is the key. Knowledge is everything.
Maybe I am wrong. Maybe teleportation would better serve us tomorrow. Really, any of the above would satisfy me. Maybe we need some science fiction gadget to jump start our thinking process that leads into the other areas of science fiction. Maybe we should start off small, in baby steps. Something that doesn’t lead us into knowing everything at once – but something that gives us the possibilities.
Maybe just a clear cell phone signal might be the one thing we wish for the most. Who knows.
So what would be your choice? And why?
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Regina,
Though you mentioned many technological improvements, in my view you left the most important needs for improvement out.
At present billions of people do have not enough food. One cause is the lack of fresh water. So why should we not invent a way to get fresh water in the desert or in any place on the world or in a rocket ?
Second is: despite all technological things, humans are still mass-animals. We need love, we need sex and we need company. Would anybody of uas like to live in a mechanical world with great gadgets, but without human contacts, without love, without human or human-like company and without sex ? It is these things that make life worthwhile.
Third: and that is a reality: we need to establish good contacts with all living creatures, especially aliens.
Paul – I understand and agree that food and water are more important things for the world right now. But this article really was just about the science fiction gadgets that we all see in movies and TV that have fascinated us for decades. It really wasn’t a completely serious discussion on NEEDS – but more on FANTASY. I agree with you completely, however, if speaking on the serious side.
I understand that much of Star Treks engineering is being worked on, including transparent aluminum. Look it up on line. That is what I would like to see most, a REAL STARSHIP!
You have some really important info published here. Great job and maintain posting superb stuff.
Great points altogether, you just gained a brand new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?
Thanks for becoming a reader. In which previous post are you referring to? The crop circle posts?
I like http://www.unsolvedrealm.com, bookmarked
bet et home
A good article Thank you!
I like this site and it has shown me some sort of commitment to move on and apply some things for my own business.Keep up the good work! Here in Bangkok I see some similar but also some different facts. Maybe you want to have a look on to our blog when you have time. Pirawan, GM of PiriProperty
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What an ideal website.
Your place is normally valueble in my opinion. I am grateful!
I was very excited to see this site.I wanted to thanks for this great article! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Great blog, how about links exchanging? Please contact me asap, Thanks.
I do love the way you have presented this specific challenge plus it really does give us some fodder for consideration. On the other hand, through what precisely I have observed, I only wish as the actual remarks pile on that people keep on issue and not start on a tirade regarding the news of the day. Yet, thank you for this superb point and while I do not necessarily go along with it in totality, I value the viewpoint.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Howdy, superb content page. Thankful I recently came across it by using Google search, to bad that it was on page eight of search results. It appears like your making use of WordPress on your blog, you may need to look at this plugin for WordPress at http://myseopressor.com it has substantially aided me with my web site rankings in Google. I would personally hate to see your useful posting not be found by others. Good luck with your online site.
{ 1 trackback }