Swarm Intellect Theory

Ants, consciousness, the cure for cancer, special effects, and multicellular organisms, these five along with many other subjects which are on the surface are completely unrelated have a fundamental similarity. Using a single theory put together by Gerardo Beni and Jing Wang, it is possible to predict the attributes of these distinct phenomena. Swarm Intelligence as it has been called, predicts the emergent behavior that simple individual actions lead to. The most classic example of this is in an ant colony. Each individual ant has a limited number of actions that it performs in the colony, and by themselves they are completely helpless. When the colony is taken as a whole however, the results are completely different. A vast thriving city is created without the help of a centralized government or any form of oversight. Using their abilities as a whole colony, ants have become the one of the most successful organisms of all time making up a quarter of all terrestrial biomass.

Using this same principal, many scientists believe its possible to achieve tasks which would otherwise be impossible. One possible use of Swarm Intelligence that has been suggested is its use in nanomachines inside of the human body to fight cancer. Others include planetary surveying, terraforming, and building. A more immediate use of Swarm Intelligence is in the special effects of movies where systems such as "Boids" and "Massive" can realistically portray the animations of many individuals.

Perhaps most interestingly of all, is the possibility of insight into the origin of the human consciousness. Billions and trillions of brain cells, neurons, and axons are in our minds. Each fires at a particular time, and each firing is brought about by chemical-electric potentials. These base mechanics are understood by modern biology and can be predicted, but when taken as a whole the human mind becomes a sentient being. Consciousness and thought arise from this mass of biological matter which in some ways is very similar to a computer's wiring. What is the difference? While both are similar on a ground level, a human being can think, believe, and create.

Mind Reading

For hundreds if not thousands of years, there have been innumerable mystics, magicians, and astrologers who have claimed to have the ability to read minds. Although most of these have been discounted as kooks, even in our modern scientific society, the prospect of reading minds is a concept that refuses to disappear. Movies such as the Matrix and books such as Isaac Asimov's Foundation series have explored the consequences that occur when men or machines learn telepathy. To date, there are no persons or machines that can read a person's mind, but it seems that machines have slowly been gaining ground in this field. Whether it be lie detection, detection of electric potentials inside the brain, or mental control of robotic arms, science seems to be on its way to a future where we can interact directly with computers without the use of a middleman such our hands or voice.

For some people such as those who are handicapped or disabled, this advance in technology could be the equivalent of a miracle allowing the them to overcome the limitations of their body. The lame could walk; the blind could see; and the deaf could hear. For others, this use of modern science is terrifying rather than miraculous. Some look to the very movies and books that inspired the creation of these inventions and point out the terrible fallout that almost always accompanies these inventions. Putting aside the fears of sentient robots who will destroy the world, there are those who believe that these technologies could be used to constantly monitor or even modify the thoughts of people ending individuality and freedom of speech on a whole new level. Others usually of a more religious affiliation, deem it unnecessary to make machines that could very well prolong life or affect "miracles" that should be reserved for God.

EEG or electroencephalography is a technology capable of reading the tiny currents that move inside of a brain. Originally, the technique was only usable by direct surgical insertion of electrodes into the brain making it a costly and very invasive technique. With advances in the technology, it is now possible to place electrodes on the scalp with only a slight cleaning beforehand to minimize dirt and dead skin tissue. While not as effective as direct insertion, this method has quickly become more popular for obvious reasons. Most don't want metal wires sticking out of their brain through their skull. Using this technology and a BCI or Brain-Computer Interface it is possible for a computer to interpret certain brain patterns. Interfaces like this have become good enough that they can tell when a person imagines moving their right as opposed to their left hand and vice versa. In the future in may be possible for a computers using nothing but an EEG and BCI to understand and act on the thoughts of people.

Another advance in the field of BCI's stems from the needs of the handicapped most notably those who are in need of an arm. A new prosthetic arm has been created that using a system similar to an EEG to read the potentials created by specific muscles. When these muscles are contracted the current created is detected and a signal is sent to the artificial limb causing it to contract. These new arms have allowed those who have lost an arm to at will pick up or grab objects. While not perfected yet, it is entirely conceivable with the improvement of the hand on these limbs and the strength of the arm that loss of an arm or indeed any limb will become a minor nuisance rather than life changing.

Terraforming Lichen

A couple years ago, an experiment by the European Space agency proved the hardiness of lichen by showing that they can survive in space for two weeks without any damage. Because of this hardiness, lichens have been put forward as a possible agent in terraforming the Red Planet. Mars with its frigid temperatures and lack of atmosphere may very well be unable to defeat these hardiest of living creatures. Lichens are routinely known to survive temperatures that occur on the martian surface and need only a tiny amount of water to survive and grow. Who knows maybe the mission to create a colony on Mars will be much easier than currently predicted.

http://www.astrobio.net/news/article1795.htm

http://www.redcolony.com/art.php?id=0109020

Magnetic Gravity

For decades, the concept of artificial gravity created by the rotation of a wheel has been popularized by dozens of science fiction novels. Most of Nasa'a plans for future long term space missions include such a device. The reason is that over time in microgravity human muscles atrophy and human bone dissolves. Exercise has been found to reduce this effect, but cannot erase it. In contrast, the large weight, power issues, and necessary size for a wheel to create by centrifugal force artificial gravity is prohibitive. A alternative was proposed in which a massive magnetic force was exerted on passengers which would cause the water molecules in our bodies to polarize so that we could feel a attraction to the magnet. On earth this hypothesis was proved possible by the levitation of a frog against gravity by a several ton magnet. Due to the size of this method however, such magnetic artificial gravity would seem impossible. Another method in which magnetism could be used to reverse the loss of bone and muscle is the use of a magnetic suit. The suit would using various magnets of different sizes keep an upright human glued to the floor with a force equal to gravity. Wearing such a suit for several hours a day would negate the effects of microgravity on bones and muscles. While not a substitute for artificial gravity, this system would be far cheaper and easier to implement.

Mars Gravity Biosatellite

With George Bush's drive to attain new space goals, several new problems have come to light. One of these comes from prolonged exposure to 1/3 Earth's gravity that astronauts on Mars will feel. The weightlessness that is experienced in space causes several health problems. Besides minor inconveniences such as bloated facial features, nasal congestion, excess flatulence, and SAS or Space Adaptation Syndrome which passes within a few days, long term weightlessness can also cause more serious problems such as long term difficulty in sleeping, fluid redistribution, slowing of the cardiovascular system, decreased numbers of red blood cells, muscle atrophy, and deterioration of the skeleton. These last two are often termed as Spaceflight Osteopenia and are usually minimized by a regimen of exercise. The question is whether Mars gravity will be sufficient to negate these effects. To investigate this matter, MIT and the University of Washington along with several other parties are cooperating to put a biosatellite into space. Onboard this craft will be 15 mice. The main point of the satellite is to simulate Mars gravity by use of one meter diameter rotating cylinder. Close to 500 students have worked on the systems for the satellite which from takeoff to landing will cost close to 20 million. In order to be successful, the students must design their satellite so that it can take off, maintain orbit for five weeks, and land while maintaining life support for the 15 mice and recording data on everything from mice heart rates to urine content.