Explore ten breakthrough technologies poised to redefine human existence, from gene editing and AI to Mars journeys and mind uploading, reshaping our future in unimaginable ways. Dive into this evolution now.

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What’s inside

1. Tracing technology’s evolution: Stone Age to AI.
2. Analyzing breakthroughs: Gene editing to Martian living.
3. Redefining humanity: From enhancement to evolution.

The value for you as an enterprise leader

This is the most important question that we will have to answer in this century.

In the last few million years, technology (from stone age tools to computers) has been an enabler for us to lead better lives (i.e lifestyles) and have improved life spans (i.e health). While some technologies have made their way into the human body such as pacemakers, metallic joints, hip replacements, knee replacements, cataracts, etc, most of these technologies have been incremental changes that fix us. Download Complete Research

In the last few years, a suite of new technology breakthroughs are emerging that are going to raise some important questions about how humans will evolve. These technologies are not just enablers but fundamental game changers that will modify what it means to be a human being. They can lead to stronger, faster, more intelligent, more agile and non-terrestrial humans. While some of these technologies exist, some are conceptual.

With gene editing, mind uploading, exoskeletons, general artificial intelligence, non-biological reproduction and martian living, the definition of what it means to be human will be a leading question in this century.

Here we capture 10 such technologies that you will want to keep your eyes on

1. Gene editing (CRISPR)
2. General artificial intelligence (AGI)
3. Exoskeletons
4. Neuralink
5. Mind Uploading with Nectome (Y Combinator)
6. Journey to Mars
7. Mind-Mind Communication
8. 3d Printing Organs
9. Ectolife
10. Living Robots

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Credits
Authors@lab45: Arvind Ravishunkar

The current developments in the genetic engineering field suggest that we will soon have the capability to modify human behavior. This article explores the potential impact on society if humans adopt this technology en-masse.

What's inside

1. The hypothesis behind augmented bodies
2. How is this likely to change human behavior.
3. Learnings from our common history

It is all in the genes

Genes can influence behavior through various mechanisms. Some genes directly affect specific traits or behaviors, such as eye color or certain inherited disorders. Other genes may indirectly influence the structure and function of the brain, neurotransmitter systems, or other biological processes involved in human behavior. Twin and family studies have provided evidence for the heritability of certain behaviors. For example, studies comparing the behavior of identical twins (who share 100% of their genes) and fraternal twins (who share about 50% of their genes) have shown that some behaviors, such as intelligence or personality traits, have a higher concordance rate among identical twins compared to fraternal twins. This suggests a genetic influence on human behavior.

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a revolutionary gene-editing technology that enables scientists to make precise modifications to the DNA of living organisms, including humans. Today the focus of CRISPR research in the medical field is primarily directed toward addressing genetic disorders and diseases where there is a clearer understanding of the genetic basis and potential therapeutic benefits. But it doesn’t rule out the possibility of its usage to modify genes that trigger “negative” emotions like anger, violence, greed, etc.

Let us, for a moment, not get into the ethical issues around this tech. But explore the what if. What will happen to the world if this technology goes mainstream? While genetics and thought played an important role in our evolution, what attribute will play an equivalent role in AI of the future? Download Complete Research

It has been tried before

It reminds me of a story in ancient Hindu texts. According to the text, when God first created the universe. It was perfect in every way. There was no greed, ego, or jealousy; there were no “negative” emotions. There was positivity all around. Everyone was calm, patient, and compassionate. But this had unintended consequences. 

In the absence of “negative” human emotions, everyone became “realized” quickly. There was no struggle, no divergent view, as no one saw any reason to disagree. As a result, most became renunciates without a desire to procreate or acquire possessions. This brought the chain of cause & effect to a halt, with no evolution. 

The Gods realized the flaw in the design. They realized that friction is essential to forward movement. There is a need for “bad” to appreciate the “good.” Hence to rectify it, an opposing force was created. The universe and its beings evolve through the interplay of these opposing forces.

Returning to our topic, the story argues that imperfections are essential for human growth. Our weaknesses not only help us appreciate “perfect” attributes but also make us more accepting of the shortcomings of others. We also need the presence of bad to appreciate the presence of good. Without the Joker, who will understand Batman?

Compassion replaces consumption

But there is an economic impact too. One of the basic principles of the economy is demand and supply. When one aspires for something they don’t have, it creates demand. Supply is created when a counterparty is willing to fulfill the need for a financial incentive. 

In today’s world, the demand is created by both negative and positive emotions. Envy or pride makes us buy a bigger house, a better car, or a costlier watch. The entire stock market is driven by greed.
It channels this greed to create a capital market for companies. This capital helps to fund innovation and create better products & services. 

In a new world order, people may go for utility over vanity. We may see lesser demand for luxury items but more for utility items. The thought of what is good for others may be a strong purchase driver. For example, there may be more demand for eco-friendly products. We may see less demand for products that exploit humans & animals. This will create a new economic model driven by compassion, not Consumption. 

Art may be the biggest victim of this behavioral shift. Most incredible works of art, like the Great Pyramids, the Colosseum, etc., have been funded by wealthy individuals driven by base human emotions, not divinity. If the rich guys act & think like Buddha, they might prefer to build a bigger, more comfortable school but not embellish it like the Sistine Chapel. Creation will be more practical than beautiful. Download Complete Research

Anger is good

Negative emotions have also led to positive outcomes. If Gandhi hadn’t felt humiliated & angry being thrown out of the railway coach, he wouldn’t have fought for freedom from the Brits. Many great companies were created when their founders faced rejection & humiliation. Hence it is not the elimination of these emotions that matters but the channelization.

Credits
Author@lab45: Siddhant Raizada

Explore the intricate dance of genetic diversity and the power of thought in shaping human evolution. Discover how these fundamental elements intertwine, driving our progress for millions of years, and ponder the future role of AI in this evolutionary journey.

What's inside

1. Exploring the role of genetics in evolutionary diversity.
2. The impact of thought diversity on human progress.
3. AI's potential influence on future evolutionary paths.

Genetic diversity

There is rapid scientific progress being made towards building artificial intelligence in different modalities (text, images, etc.), and it is hard not to see a future where eventually it will converge into some form of Artificial General Intelligence. If/When it does, I can’t help but wonder how such an intelligence in the future would treat humans. “Would it be empathetic, or would it be dominant?”

Today, in our place in the evolutionary chain, humans have the highest cognitive skills. Due to this, we have chosen a path of dominance. We grow and use life as food, we treat animals as produce in factory lines, we wipe out natural ecosystems to make vain tables and chairs and build fancy homes and factories, we convert fossils to polymers and then dump them in oceans, we introduce chemicals into organic matter without regard to life forms in the soil, and the host of actions is endless. If intelligence means dominance, we are doing a fantastic job.

But this path of dominance is not the universal human path. There is a growing movement towards more empathy towards life forms around us. Preservation of biodiversity, local and organic eating, reduction of plastics, plant-based diets, and free-range farming are just some starting examples of humans with more empathy. I personally believe that empathy is a higher-order intelligence since it is inclusive. Dominance is a historical concept.

I have a companion in my home. She is 6 years old, and she has 4 paws. Her name is Maple. When people use the phrase “pet ownership,” I cringe. I don’t own Maple. How can one life form own another? I am her caretaker and her companion, and vice versa. I want no dominion over other life but rather friendship.

I can understand that the path of empathy is a balancing act since one must weigh the consequences to oneself. However, the path of dominance is also a balancing act since one has to weigh the consequences to other life forms.

There isn’t a right or wrong here, but the question to ask yourself is how would you like a higher form of intelligence to treat you? If you are a fair person, you would want to be treated the way you treat other life forms. It’s an important question since it will inform the lifestyle decisions you make. Download Complete Research

Credits
Authors@lab45: Arvind Ravishunkar