This morning, while driving to work, my mind was wandering (as it usually does) and I started thinking about CD's and DVD's and how it was amazing that data could be carried via light. Data travels along the wavelength of light; different types and colors of light have different wavelengths which is basically the dispersion between waves. Light travels at a constant speed and the wavelengths are evenly dispersed. CD and DVD lasers use red light. Blu-ray players use a blue laser to read (and write) the stored information. Blue laser wavelengths are shorter than the red. This allows for closer and more precise reading of information stored on the disc.
Incidentally, I was also thinking about the mapping of the human Genome and the study of the human brain; how I have seen on TV that researchers are now developing ways to control computers, typing onscreen, moving virtual objects and controlling robotic arms with human thought. I saw a monkey, with an electrode cap on his head, controlling a robot arm to bring bananas to his mouth. I know it's very basic, but what could happen with this technology in time? Could it become more elaborate? Different impulses being read inside the brain, thoughts and memory storage being read by a computer? Data being WRITTEN to the human brain? A machine being able to decode the data language used inside the human brain. Amazing really.
Then I had a hybrid thought…. Right now, scientists are using electrodes to read human thought impulses, but data can also travel on light (in a laser). What if IN TIME data could be transferred from the human brain, via light to another human being or stored in a computer? What if we could RECEIVE data in this way? What if it didn't require a laser? What if ordinary light carried data? What if ordinary light ALREADY carries data? What if the stars, billions of light years from here are already transmitting information to the earth, to each human being? What if it's there and we just haven't decoded it?
This triggered another realization…. Subliminal messages. Research in subliminal messaging back in the 50's and 60's indicated that flashing the words "drink Coke" at a speed unrecognizable to the conscious mind during a movie at the theater, had a dramatic effect and increase in the sales of Coke. This research was also used in developing brain-washing techniques incidentally using pharmaceuticals and patterns of flashing lights.
My mind wanders into the future 300, 400, 500 years from now and I wonder where these technologies will be. Do alien races already use this technology? Is there data floating all around us? Have you ever shared an experience with someone and then something happens: you and the other person share a glance, recognizing the reference to the shared experience? Both individuals instantaneously share an understanding. Each person, with nothing more than a glance, referenced each other's shared understanding and megabytes or gigabytes of information is transferred instantly. You glance at each other and you "just know". Where does that ability come from? How does it work?
At the rate of evolution of human invention, 20 years from now there will exist technologies that have not yet been conceived in thought. In 100 years, in 300 years, in 500 years what technologies will be in use? What will they do? Will they be a benefit to humanity or our unraveling? Anyway, those are my thoughts for today. Hope it inspires your own theories.
