“Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory.”–Franklin Pierce Adams
Is artificial human memory possible? Today’s lead story deals exactly with that possibility–and it links rather directly to a question I have about the quest to end, and even reverse, human aging. If we live indefinitely, will we need some sort of artificial enhancement in order to hold decades or evern centuries of additional memories? When you reach a certain age, after all, it’s hard enough to remember what you had for breakfast.
While you’re reading about all this week’s future-related news, don’t forget that you can subscribe to Seeking Delphi™ podcasts on iTunes, PlayerFM, or YouTube (audio with slide show) and you can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Neuromorphic Computing/Memory–Researchers at UCLA claim they have created a neuromorphic “brain” out of synthetic nanowires. They say it exhibits behavior similar to human memory.
Image: undoing-aging.org Click for link.
Aging Research/Rejuvenation–Aubrey de Grey has become much more upbeat about the progress being made toward reversing human aging. He now thinks robust human longevity extension could be here by 2037. You can here his preview of the 2019 Undoing Aging conference (Berlin, Germany March 28-30) on the Seeking Delphi podcast here. The YouTube slide show version of the interview is embedded at the bottom of this page.
Houston, the Dragon has landed. Image: NASA
NASA/Space Launch/Space Commerce–SpaceX successfully tested an unmanned launch of the first private passenger vehicle, reaching the International Space Station late last week. If all goes well, the first manned mission will bring astronauts there later this year. It would be the first manned U.S. space launch since the space shuttle was retired a decade ago.
—NASA intends to test a nuclear powered rocket by 2024, per it’s 2019 budget. Other advance propulsion systems are also in the works.
CRISPR/Biotech–Switzerland-based CRISPR therapeutics has become the first non-Chinese entity to use CRISPR genetic editing to treat a human medical condition. The procedure was done in attempt to correct a genetic blood disorder. Previously, Chinese researchers have used CRISPR to treat cancer.
—A Chinese research group claims to have given a mouse night vision by a simple injection of nano particles into the animal’s eyes. They say the effect has minimal side effects and lasts for up to ten weeks.
Breakthrough technologies—MIT has issued it’s annaul list of the top ten breakthrough technologies. Custom cancer vaccines, a wearable ECG, and laboratory-grown meat are notable inclusions.
Wearables/Fitness–A university research team in Singapore says they have developed self-charging, fitness tracking socks. The socks could also be used to power other wearables.
YouTube slide show of the 2019 Undoing Aging preview podcast with Aubrey de Grey
Seeking Delphi™ podcasts are available on iTunes, PlayerFM, or YouTube (audio with slide show) and you can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook
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