KidZone Highlights
Rockin' with Spot, the Nanodog
Hi! I'm Spot, the Nanodog! When something is "nano"size it is tinier than one millionth of a millimeter. This is
MUCH smaller than the human eye can see. This is what
I look like when I have been magnified many millions of
times, otherwise you wouldn't be able to see me! I have
been magnified for all of the pages of KidZone, so you
can see me as we have fun together!
What Will Your Future Be Like?
Spot the Nanodog asks you to imagine a world where the
dishes are always clean, the garbage takes itself out, your
bed makes itself, you have a machine that creates any food
you would like anytime for free (and you can eat as much of
it as you'd like without getting fat or unhealthy), and cars
drive on their own. This could be your future. And may be
closer than you think. The world is moving faster and faster all the time.
Within the next 10 to 50 years or so, new inventions and science
breakthroughs will make big changes in your life. When people look ahead,
they help us plan and prepare for the future. Many predictions about the
future are included on this site and in the book tied to it. Both are called
"Imagining the Internet." And further down the road - in your lifetime many big things are ahead!
Scientists Predict that In Your Future…
• Virtual-reality worlds will be the new instant messenger.
• Humans will be connected to computer networks.
• Nanites (from nanotechnology) will be making life easier and
changing the way everything works.
• Humans will live much longer.
• Human minds will receive computer uploads to make people
smarter.
• Smart technology will be incorporated into fabrics, so you can
e-mail using your shoe or coat sleeve.
• Video wristwatches will allow you to see and talk to anyone,
anywhere.
• Microchips implanted in your arm will serve as library cards, a
driver's license and emergency medical records.
• Robots will be able to recognize your thoughts and respond to
your commands.
• Most robots will be invisible, and they will outnumber humans.
Guessing What Might Happen…
Researchers and people who study the future - called
"futurists" - have predicted that a technological "Singularity"
is coming in the next 40 to 100 years. This is also known as
"the Spike." These experts say this Singularity might happen
because our machines and tools are:
1) getting so smart they will soon become smarter than us;
2) learning how to build themselves, without human help;
3) operating on their own without any humans giving them commands.
If a Singularity happens, it could bring changes so fast it could be like they
are bringing us all on a fast rocket ride straight into space - ZOOM!
Whether there is a ZOOM!-Singularity or not, developing technological
advances are already having a huge impact on our lives. These include:
- Virtual Reality: Computer programs can imitate different realities
and give you the ability to feel as if you are in another place in
another role - for instance, landing a jet, lying under a palm tree on a
beach, battling bad guys on another planet in a distant galaxy, or
playing basketball in the NBA.
- Nanotechnology: This is the ability to make tools and helpful robots
that are a billion times smaller than we can see. Scientists have
already made many nano-sized tools that they can use. When this
science is improved and becomes more common and affordable, it
will change everything.
- Artificial intelligence: Scientists are learning more about the human
brain every day, and they are working toward making smart robots we
can use to help us. Some people say that nanobots - super-tiny robots
may help us in invisible ways in the future. They say they will be
everywhere, outnumbering humans many times over!
- Superintelligence and G-N-R: We continue to get smarter about
Genetics (the pattern in which every little part of humans and every
other living thing on earth is made, right down to the smallest pieces
that make us who we are); Nanotechnology and Robotics. Because of
this, it is possible that we and/or our creations will invent
superintelligence. This may be put into the machines that work for us
or it may be that in the future we find ways to help make humans
superintelligent without even having to study. This might mean that
your grandchildren will NEVER have to go to school. They may be
born with superintelligence or they may have this intelligence
"uploaded" or "downloaded" into their brains by computers or
delivered by nanobots.
Inventions Hurry Changes
Some scientists, including Ray Kurzweil, a man honored for
his inventions by the U.S. government, say that genetics,
nanotechnology and robotics will bring really big changes
very quickly. Here is how Kurzweil described it in 2005 to a
group of children he met with when talking about his book
"The Singularity is Near":
"Within a quarter century, nonbiological intelligence will match the
range and subtlety of human intelligence. It will then soar past it
because of the continuing acceleration of information-based
technologies, as well as the ability of machines to instantly share their
knowledge.
"Intelligent nanorobots will be deeply integrated in our bodies, our
brains, and our environment, overcoming pollution and poverty,
providing vastly extended longevity, full-immersion virtual reality
incorporating all of the senses (like in the film 'The Matrix' but
hopefully nicer), 'experience beaming' (like in the film 'Being John
Malkovich'), and vastly enhanced human intelligence.
"The result will be an intimate merger between the technologycreating species and the technological evolutionary process it
spawned."
The Spike will be marked by a point in which technical progress will be
moving so fast that some human intelligence won't be able to keep up with
it. Nonbiological intelligence will be improving itself rapidly. Kurzweil sets
this date as 2045. It is hard to see into the future because our brains are
limited in this regard right now, but Kurzweil says this is the date by which
nonbiological (computer or robot-built) intelligence will be a billion times
more powerful than human intelligence is today.
Many people argue that Kurzweil's "Spike" will not happen, but it is
important that we have a discussion of these possible future developments.
We must share insights and imagine how our future civilization will unfold
in order to prepare ourselves for it.
More About Your Possible Future
Many years down the road, humans might not even be recognizable as
artificial intelligence merges with our natural states. Computers and
machines will be just as smart as and even smarter than we are. Cancer and
AIDS will be cured through developments of nanotechnology. Here are
some interesting points to learn about the future.
RFID: Schools of the future will not be like the schools you know
today. Radio Frequency Identification technology will be used to take
attendance, meaning no more skipping class or sneaking out without your
teachers realizing it. In some cases, you won't have to leave home to be a
part of school. Teaching is already being taken over by computers and
virtual classrooms as well as RFID tracking systems. An RFID tag is a small
object that can be attached to or incorporated into a product, animal or
person. This means if your dog is lost you can find it or you can find your
favorite toy or your glasses when they are lost.
Nanotechnology: What if spills cleaned up after themselves,
vacuums ran on their own and by thinking a thought your
clothes would be clean? With nanotechnology, household
chores will be made easier and mom and dad won't have to get
on your case about cleaning up. But that's not all nanos can
do. Microscopic computerized robots called nanobots work together to
perform tasks like these. Nanomaterials will be able to aid in surgeries and
much more. In fact, you may not have to leave your house for groceries, new
furniture, clothes and other items you need because nanos will be able to
build things from scratch for you, right in your home. Scientists are building
things out of "nanotubes" right now. A nanotube is 80,000 times smaller
than the width of one human hair. Imagine having a microscopic computer
sewn into your shirtsleeve or "painted" on the fabric of your shoes.
Computers of the future will be "nano size."
Brain-to-Computer Communication: Nanocomputers will probably be
linked to your thoughts, voice and your emotions, and be able
to react to your needs. The future will rely on wireless
technology and everyone and everything will be linked. This
will hugely impact the way your life is run. Your brain will be
able to receive downloads or uploads from computers to fill
your head with knowledge or teach you new things. When you
want to learn a new skateboarding trick or dance move, a
simple, direct delivery of information directly to your brain will allow your
body to use the tips and apply them - no studying involved! Artificial
intelligence (also known as AI) will greatly impact society.
Virtual Reality: You already love virtual-reality
games - they make imaginary worlds in which you
can play. But what if virtual reality allows you to
have a cool new school? Virtual worlds are being
created so computer-generated environments will
allow you to socialize or learn school lessons with
your teacher and your friends seemingly present without actually being
there. Technology will give you a 3D image and link to your brain in a way
that makes you actually feel as if you are there. It will be a new way of
communicating.
Kids' Predictions for Our Future
Spot the Nanodog asked fifth-graders at Elon Elementary School in North
Carolina to write what they think the future will bring. Read some of their
ideas, and then write about what you think will happen! Share your ideas
with your classmates, friends and family. You never know; they might come
true sooner than you think!
Ross S. - Teleportation; Hologram TV; Tastebud scanners that tell you what
you want to eat; Sea suits that go below 100,000,000 feet; Rocket boots.
Barrington L. - Soon to come: Time machines. Flying cars. Jet packs that
really work and are easy to use.
Jacob T. - Robots doing all the chores; flying cars; everything is free
because we can make it out of thin air with special machines.
Natalie K. - When grocery shopping, everything in the buggy will ring itself
up. No more car accidents and less traffic because cars will fly.
Chandler L. - Floating computers that follow you around like dogs. When
you need them, they fly to you and you can use them. Robots that clean your
house, make your bed and do your chores. A car that goes wherever you tell
it to. An elevator in your house that goes anywhere in the world.
Jackie M. - Virtual worlds will let us do whatever we imagine. Robots will
be doing everything for us while we are in the virtual worlds.
Jesse A. - You can do grocery shopping right in your house.
Rian B. - Floating TV; Voice-activated computers; Robot maids; motionactivated TV; All school is on the computer.
Lindsay S. - When you go to stores, you type on a keyboard what you want
and it appears. Instead of driving regular cars we'll drive hover cars. Robots
will do chores.
Maddie F. - Pens that write by themselves. Headphones that give you
knowledge. Never-ending food that never gets old.
Haley K. - Scientists might invent a real human companion, and you can
pick what it looks like and it will live with you. There will be a thing or
game that tells you the truth whenever you ask it. Also you can use a time
machine to see what you will look like years ahead (like when I get married)
or to look back to see things - what my mom and dad and grandparents
looked like when they were young.
Amanda F. - In the future there will be hoverboards, flying cars and pocketsize computers.
Sydney Y. - We will have robots that clean up after us. The X-box game
will be so small it will fit in your watch. Time machines will be amazing.
Jordan W. - There will be enough technology so we can communicate with
aliens. There will be a time machine to travel through time.
Danielle M. - There will be a remote where you type in where you want to
go then push the button and you will be there. Also we will have chewing
gum that never loses its taste.
Patrick D. - There will be robots that clean your house, walk the dog, make
your bed and stuff like that. There will be computers so small you can't see
them.
Kacie A. - People will have nanopets and nanobots to have fun with and do
things for them. We won't have to go grocery shopping - you can just tell
your nanites to form fruit or meat and they will do it. You can even tell your
nanites to form money, but you really won't need money, your nanites can
form the things you need or want.
Hannah P. - We will have mini-computers in our clothes - like on the inside
of your sleeves. You will also be able to type into your hairbrush how you
want your hair to be styled. Nano's can get everything for you because you
can tell them to make you something.
Spot's Quick Quiz: Show What You Know!
1. What is GNR?
a. Great nuggets rule
b. Gnats, nits, rats
c. Genetics, Nanotechnology, Robotics
d. Gnarly nutheads rock!
(The answer is c.)
2. Who first transmitted electronic code over wires?
a. Samuel Morse
b. Benjamin Franklin
c. Thomas Edison
d. Thomas Jefferson
(The answer is a.)
3. The roots of today's internet come from ARPA. What does this stand for?
a. American Racoon Pinchers Association
b. Advanced Research Projects Agency
c. Admitted Retired Pundits Association
d. Always Run Past Aardvarks
(The answer is b.)
4. What does the abbreviation RFID mean?
a. Really Freaky Insect Dessert (look out at lunch today!)
b. Radio Frequency Identification (allows info chips to be read or traced to a
particular user)
c. Rays From India Different
d. Random Fleas Invade Dog
(The answer is b.)
5. Who is Ray Kurzweil?
a. Rock and roller from Green Day
b. Leonardo da Vinci's lost nephew
c. Author of "The Singularity is Near"
d. Fictional character in Arthur C. Clarke's books
(The answer is c.)
6. Nanotechnology is soooo small that it could be …
a. painted on or woven into your clothes.
b. the size of a Buick.
c. considered a new state in the U.S.
d. easily seen by the human eye with no magnification.
(The answer is a.)
7. People who study the future are called …
a. crazy cats, baby
b. guessers
c. futurists
d. predictorators
(The answer is c.)
8. What is an emoticon?
a. A new kind of space satellite
b. Type characters used to convey a human facial expression
c. A machine that makes you cry
d. A crying prison inmate
(The answer is b.)
9. When might the Singularity or "Spike" take place?
a. I'm single now, but I'm hoping to find a date soon.
b. Perhaps in the next 50 years or less, but who can tell?
c. As soon as my mom does the laundry this week.
d. Wouldn't you like to know?
(The answer is b.)
Quick jokes: Short, corny and easy to remember!
-
How do trees get on the
Internet?
They log in.
-
-
-
How did the mouse get out of
the Roman Cathedral?
He clicked on an icon and
opened a window.
What do computers like to eat?
Chips.
-
What do you call a space
magician?
A flying saucerer.
What kind of doctor fixes
broken websites?
A URLologist.
-
Have you heard about the
Disney virus?
It makes everything on your
computer go Goofy.
-
What happened when a dragon
breathed on a Macintosh
computer?
He wound up with baked apples!
-
Why did the chicken cross the
Web?
To get to the other site.
-
Why did the computer go to a
doctor?
It thought it had a terminal
illness.
What is a computer's first sign
of old age?
Loss of memory.
-
What is an astronaut's favorite
key on the computer
keyboard?
The space bar.
-
What happened when the
computer fell on the floor?
It slipped a disk.
-
How does a boy cell phone
propose to his girlfriend?
He gives her a ring.
-
Why was there a bug in the
computer?
It was looking for a byte to eat.
-
What is a computer virus?
A terminal illness.
- Knock-knock!
Who's there?
I-M
I-M, who?
I-M on the computer, and I can't
answer the door
Comic Book: Spot vs. Iris the Virus
See Spot the Nanodog in a 2020 adventure mission to fight Iris, the evil
virus and save the world!
Word Search with Spot
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Look among the letters above and see if you can circle the following 10
words and phrases that are hidden among many other letters.
Remember to look backward!
BLOG
FUTURE
INTERNET
NANOBOT
RFID
ROBOT
SPOTNANODOG
TECHNOLOGY
THESPIKE
VIRTUAL
From KidZone: Rockin' With Spot the Nanodog,
part of the Elon University/Pew Internet
Imagining the Internet site: www.elon.edu/predictions