How do the kids know, and what do we say?

As adults we talk about emerging technologies, but I wonder how much we factor in kids and their futures in our discussions.

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Complete entry

Posted by knscott  on  11/09  at  07:48 PM

"I agree, they are the future. Would they want to live forever? I don't know. Would they want a singularity? I don't know. What kind of world do they want? This could be an interesting field of research. "

Yes, it would be an interesting field of research. I wonder though if past kids were asked or thought to be prepared for the responsibilities of the technologies created in their time. So a historical research component also potentially exists. Does it make any difference if you ask kids? I got in to a discussion on Facebook with Shannon Vyff, author of 21st Century Kids, who has taught technology to children. She was kind enough to send me some photos she used and I promptly showed them to my son. My son promptly responded, "what happens if something goes wrong with it and it's inside the person?" (It was a picture of a nanobot in the blood stream)

I will check in to the Ning site to see if it's something my son might be able to join. However, there also lies a problem. School adoption of the Internet and taking advantage of kids eagerness and willingness to explore online and use it as an educational tool.

I appreciate that you use film as an example for global catastrophic risks and human enhancement. There is also another film that was brought to my attention that might have some overlap with life-casting, but I need to see it myself to be sure. Some may not share my sentiments, but I see film as a way to talk with people about bigger concepts and ideas in a medium they can understand and are not intimidated by. This is something I will be talking about next month actually at the Biopolitics in Pop Culture Seminar and h+ Summit.

"This is an interesting discussion. What other topics do you think kids might/might not be able to deal with? Have you considered making a documentary?"

Thank you. As far as other topics, there is nano-technology, cognitive enhancements, artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Mainly in regards to preparedness and understanding of what's going on. Actually, bring this up as a concern for kids makes me think adults too in this arena. Mention nano-tech in products at a dinner discussion and it brings up a lot of weird looks. It's as much an understanding for the future as it is today. And virtual reality, that is a topic I've been wrestling with and do not have a real short answer to put right now. Artificial Intelligence is a broad one for discussion with children and I'm formulating that right now also into words for a future blog.

As far as the documentary is concerned, personally I haven't thought of it, no. You mentioning it got my brain working on ideas and people to contact though. That would be interesting to see and document. I'll put it down as a potential future project. Thanks.
Kristi

Posted by Kim Ramsey  on  11/17  at  09:08 AM

Is that an artificial heart? I think the discussion can be the best way to educate your kids. Since we are now entering our technological era, kids are more open in science discussions.

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