I'm curious about what advances in technology seem unlikely to ever be achieved based on our current understanding of science. If we assume things won't drastically change and there aren't hidden variables that could alter our understanding, what are some examples of technology depicted in science fiction that likely won't become a reality? For instance, I have a couple of examples in mind:
1. **Cryogenics**: The concept of freezing a person for future revival seems highly impractical. When cells freeze, ice crystals can damage them, and even if we develop methods to vitrify living tissues, there's a high chance that any revival would result in death due to irreversible cellular damage.
2. **True De-extinction**: The supposed breakthroughs in cloning creatures like the dire wolf seem exaggerated. Without sufficient genetic material or understanding of the species, true de-extinction is nearly impossible. Plus, dinosaurs are far beyond our reach since viable DNA deteriorates after about 7 million years, while the youngest dinosaurs lived much longer ago.
I'd also add Fastest-Than-Light (FTL) travel, as it requires energy levels that we just cannot produce, although theoretical concepts like warp drives offer some hope, their feasibility is still in question.
5 Answers
In the end, while advances in science can sometimes surprise us, things like anti-gravity and reversing entropy feel like they belong in the realm of wishful thinking rather than serious future tech discussions.
When it comes to cryogenics, many who support it aren't just banking on freezing someone without damage—they hope that future advancements in technology will allow for reversing any damage done during the freezing process.
That's a solid point! If the brain and body are well-preserved, theoretically, advanced medicine could repair the trauma caused by the freezing.
FTL travel and teleportation are likely out of reach. Theoretically, we might find ways around the FTL limits through novel physics, but current understanding suggests that traveling faster than light dimensionally isn't possible. Some propose that utilizing quantum entanglement might allow for instant communication, but even that is a stretch.
Exactly! FTL remains a mystery, and traveling at such speeds while still adhering to the laws of physics seems unlikely. The best bet might be on manipulating space-time itself.
I think we might find loopholes in physics that let us bypass some barriers, but it won't be in the way we initially imagine.
I think universal molecular assemblers are also pretty unlikely. While theoretically conceivable, the complexity of assembling matter at such a precise level is something we may struggle with for a long time.
Yep, it leans heavily into the engineering side of things, which might be more manageable for AI, but there’s still an immense challenge ahead.
Honestly, consciousness transfer and true immortality seem fantastical. I feel like even if we can create clones or avatars, what happens to the original consciousness raises too many questions about identity and existence.
Right? Even if cloning is achievable, does that truly equate to transferring consciousness? That’s an entirely different level of complexity.
Exactly! We'll likely need to redefine what 'self' means if we’re ever to replicate or transfer consciousness.
True that! But we should keep an open mind—many things once thought impossible are now reality!