VISIONS OF THE FUTURE - BBC FOUR

[clacher_holiday2]

BBC - BBC Four Documentaries - Visions of the Future

VISIONS OF THE FUTURE

Starts Monday 5 November 2007

In this new three-part series, leading theoretical physicist and futurist Dr Michio Kaku explores the cutting edge science of today, tomorrow, and beyond. He argues that humankind is at a turning point in history. In this century, we are going to make the historic transition from the 'Age of Discovery' to the 'Age of Mastery', a period in which we will move from being passive observers of nature to its active choreographers. This will give us not only unparalleled possibilities but also great responsibilities.

1. THE INTELLIGENCE REVOLUTION

Monday 5 November 2007 9pm-10pm; rpt 12.35am-1.35am; 3.05am-4.05am (signed); Wednesday 7 November 8pm-9pm

In the opening instalment, Kaku explains how artificial intelligence will revolutionise homes, workplaces and lifestyles, and how virtual worlds will become so realistic that they will rival the physical world. Robots with human-level intelligence may finally become a reality, and in the ultimate stage of mastery, we'll even be able to merge our minds with machine intelligence.

For the first time on television, see how a severely depressed patient can be turned into a happy person at the push of a button - all thanks to the cross-pollination of neuroscience and artificial intelligence.

2. THE BIOTECH REVOLUTION

Monday 12 November 2007 9pm-10pm TBC

Genetics and biotechnology promise a future of unprecedented health and longevity: DNA screening could prevent many diseases, gene therapy could cure them and, thanks to lab-grown organs, the human body could be repaired as easily as a car, with spare parts readily available. Ultimately, the ageing process itself could be slowed down or even halted.

But what impact will this have on who we are and how we will live? And, with our mastery of the genome, will the human race end up in a world divided by genetic apartheid?

3. THE QUANTUM REVOLUTION

Monday 19 November 2007 9pm-10pm TBC

The quantum revolution could turn many ideas of science fiction into science fact - from metamaterials with mind-boggling properties like invisibility through limitless quantum energy and room temperature superconductors to Arthur C Clarke's space elevator. Some scientists even forecast that in the latter half of the century everybody will have a personal fabricator that re-arranges molecules to produce everything from almost anything. Yet how will we ultimately use our mastery of matter? Like Samson, will we use our strength to bring down the temple? Or, like Solomon, will we have the wisdom to match our technology?

___________

Should be interesting.  I've been into my (reasonably rational!) sci-fi lately and have always been into genetics for a bit of light reading, so this sounds right up my street.  I've heard of the pleasant looking Dr Kaku before and have seen a few of his videos online, itll be interesting to hear his thoughts on our ability to handle powerful technology responsibly.  In the past he's spoken about our different applications of military and medical technology, how the applications of both have progressed through the years with very different positive/negative affects on the human race!

It'll be worth a watch if anybodys around at the time