[TML] Unified Field Theory

[Jerry W Barrington]

On 12/3/07 11:08 AM, Joel wrote:

> Do you think there will ever be a solved Unified Field Theory?
> 
> If so, what do you feel will be a result of it?
> Anti-Grav?
> Ultra-high Gauss Magnetic Fields (what IS the speed of light in a Million+
> gauss field?)
> Do you think Traveller Technology will be unlocked when/if this happens?

Since a magnetic field is a form of energy, and energy is equivalent to
mass, a *really* high magnetic field should act like any dense medium,
slowing light down.  But that high would also generate it's own gravity, and
I'm not sure what that would do.  :)

Beyond that, I'd say Tim is right.



On 12/3/07 11:08 AM, Douglas Knapp wrote:

> I don't know what will happen but I think that it will be huge! Here
> is something that always guides my way of thinking about the future.
> This is just one persons views of it but the underlying change will
> happen unless disaster strikes us.
> Douglas
> 
> The Law of Accelerating Returns
> by       Ray Kurzweil
> 
> An analysis of the history of technology shows that technological
> change is exponential, contrary to the common-sense "intuitive linear"
> view. So we won't experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century
> -- it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at today's rate).
> The "returns," such as chip speed and cost-effectiveness, also
> increase exponentially. There's even exponential growth in the rate of
> exponential growth. Within a few decades, machine intelligence will
> surpass human intelligence, leading to The Singularity --
> technological change so rapid and profound it represents a rupture in
> the fabric of human history. The implications include the merger of
> biological and nonbiological intelligence, immortal software-based
> humans, and ultra-high levels of intelligence that expand outward in
> the universe at the speed of light.

There's a problem with that analysis.  While an exponential curve fits or
history of growth, so does a logistic curve.  From here, there's no way to
know which sort of curve we're on until we get there.

But it *does* look like there may be ultimate limits.  For instance, where
can computers go beyond quantum computers?  Also there are limits to how
much change a person or society can encompass in a lifetime, at least given
our current biological form.  And remember, us SF fans and writers have been
predicting machine intelligence for several decades already, along with
fusion power.  Neither seems much closer, so predicting when they'll hit is
a fool's game.