BBC - BBC Four Documentaries - Visions of the Future

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22 November 2009
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	VISIONS OF THE FUTURE

	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
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.

Watch clip from the programme on YouTube

2. THE BIOTECH REVOLUTION
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?

Watch clip from the programme on YouTube

3. THE QUANTUM REVOLUTION
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?

Watch clip from the programme on YouTube


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	RELATED READING Useful links and a bibliography for the series

	BBC Links BBC News Read an article touching on the themes featured in the BBC series Science and Nature From the beasts of the field to spaceships orbiting earth BBC News Latest scientific headlines Horizon Links Merging man and machine A look into the future of intelligent computers Watch video clips Scientific prophets anticipate what life will be like for their children's children Vote now Will intelligent machines benefit mankind or destroy us? Computer intelligence Baroness Greenfield talks about the future of computer intelligence External Links mkaku.org Official site for Dr Michio Kaku www.edge.org Stimulating contributions from scientists and other thinkers www.iftf.org Institute for the Future, California KurzweilAI.net Ray Kurzweil's website: futurism and the "singularity" www.21school.ox.ac.uk The James Martin 21st Century School, Oxford University Neurobiotics The Science Museum's in-depth guide www.sciencehorizons.org.uk More forecasts for the future www.sciencewise.org.uk Take part in the planning of all our futures The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

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