The technological advancements the world has made are nothing short of astonishing. Every day seems to bring something new and incredible that helps us live our lives better (always being careful that it doesn't make it worse, of course). It's hard to believe that we've only just scratched the surface of what science and technology can do for us. And there is still a lot to do! If we look ahead 40 years from today, what do you think the world will be like in 2060?
Luckily for you, (how humble am I?) today I'm listing some incredible technological advancements that will take place by the year 2060. Sit back, because it's going to be an exciting list.
2060, Technological singularity
The first bullet point that we may already be used to in the year 2060 is the technological singularity. For those who don't know what this is: it is a definite point in time when the growth of technology will become uncontrollable, to the point that we will see irreversible changes in human civilization.
The most widespread conception of singularity theory holds that an “updatable intelligent agent” (and perhaps sentient, thing which is not now) will eventually reach a point of no return, in which each new generation will become more intelligent than the previous one, until it reaches a super intelligence that is powerful and unimaginably superior to human intelligence. Fear? Many experts have them.
Nanotechnology
Already today the Nanotechnology it is present in countless objects and structures around us, and is expected to become more and more ubiquitous in the future.
It will be possible to build entire homes and offices using only nanotechnology. A platform will rise from the ground as if it were "self-printing": progressive layers of material will fill it until it is completed. Virtually invisible machines will lay the foundations of entire buildings, piece by piece. The interiors will be well designed and, if necessary, modifications will also be made to skyscrapers and other impressive buildings that could be built with this technique by 2060.
Space hotel
Space hotels will become increasingly accessible to the general public. The first space hotel, Space Perspective, is expected to launch this year 2027: however, by 2060 these accommodations will become mainstream thanks to technological advances that will significantly reduce their costs.
Last year the Star Trek actor William Shatner became the oldest person in space thanks to a trip with Blue Origin, While the Virgin Galactic of the billionaire Richard Branson launched into sub-orbital space. Today, as mentioned, the main drawback is the price: not everyone can afford a trip to space with today's technology. In 40 years music could definitely change.
We could also have simple low gravity “restaurants”, or sports/recreation areas of some kind. Not just hotels, in short, but also recreational activities. We'll see.
The smart clothing of 2060
Smart clothing is going to become a trillion-dollar industry, and of all the things you wanted to become smart, you probably expected that your clothes would be last.
Initially they will be complementary to traditional "passive" clothing and they will enable smooth communication with phones, computers, cars and other gadgets. Those who wear smart clothing will be more productive, he will be able to check his own health and even ask for assistance in the event of an accident. Producing such clothing is technically very difficult today, as clothes need to be washed occasionally and water damages electronics, but engineers at Purdue University have created an innovative “spray and stitch” technique to transform any garment of normal fabric into a smart dress.
Colonization of other planets
NASA has declared its goal of putting humans on Mars in 2030, and we are still nearly a decade away from this goal. One of the concepts applied in the Mars expedition will be that of a permanent human base, which will include logistics modules and an astrobiology laboratory, a science module and a habitat module.
At first, space agencies will concentrate their exploration efforts within about 100 kilometers of the landing site: in 2060 the first human settlements on the red planet could begin to resemble small villages and then city.
Volumetric displays
At the beginning of the 21st century, TVs have become increasingly thinner and narrower, but a new class of devices has reversed this trend. Volumetric displays have been used for years in aerospace and defense, medical imaging and in other sectors. In 2060 they will be a common consumer good and a feature of homes around the world.
This type of TV uses voxels and 3D objects when turned on - these tiny particles of light update hundreds of times per second, which is about a thousand times faster than conventional 2D broadcasts in 4k. In addition to homes, cinemas, museums, galleries and other public places will increasingly offer fantastic immersive experiences. These volumetric displays will eventually become the platform for the hologram technology.
Aging will end KO
If you thought there was no chance for humans to stop aging, think again: treatments to stop aging will be widespread already in the next twenty years, and perhaps by 2060 (prudence is a must here) they will be low cost.
By the mid-2060s, cost reductions, the expiration of some of the early patents we see today, and other scientific advances will allow most of the world's population to benefit. The ethics and consequences of ending aging have been hotly contested, as have previous scientific revolutions: however, this idea should be explored extensively.
