/sci/ - Science & Math

Discovering how the brain works is going to rocket us into a world vastly different from any that we could conceive.

What actually causes aging
What is gravity (unification theory)
More efficient solar panels
Room temp superconductors
Cold fusion

I think our understanding of electromagnetism has done the most so far.

>>3084848
Yeah, this. Understanding the dynamics of the human brain.

3D printers.

>>3084848
>>3084859
Why?

>>3084872
You really don't know?

I'm no Kurzweil cultist, but really understanding the human brain has the potential to be even more far-reaching than understanding electromagnetism was. Strong AI, superintelligence, immortality, the singularity... sky's the limit.

Loli sex bots.

>>3084883
Oh, and that includes mind uploading and copying.

>>3084872 Why?
Download skills and information directly to the brain like you download applications and files to your hard-drive. It would change society completely. Understanding that algorithm that gives our brains consciousness would also be nice to understand so that it could be run on a computer.

>>3084883
>You really don't know?
I just didn't see a practical application for it, mostly because I didn't assume an understanding of the brain to mean that we'll be able to actually work with the mechanisms and even replicate them. I mean, there are many biological mechanisms that we have complete understanding of without being able to recreate them artificially.

>>3084898
Could you give an example?

Personally, I'd deny that we actually understand anything that we can't replicate, much less adapt/enhance/apply.

>>3084903
Well, from the top of my head, there are many glands that we can't properly replicate, like the prostate, or the thymus.

>>3084918
You mean, as in growing a replacement or engineering a substitute?

It's because we don't have it figured out (well enough). I'd agree that it's possible to have something that is well understood but thoroughly beyond our power to produce, but I don't think much falls into that category. More likely we don't actually understand the low-level dynamics well enough.

We still don't understand single-celled organisms fully. Shit's complicated. And no, getting a transcript of the genome doesn't mean we understand.

>>3084928
>You mean, as in growing a replacement or engineering a substitute?
I was thinking of the latter, although I'm not sure if the former has ever been done either.

Anyway, I do agree that if we figured out the brain to such a degree that it would actually allow us to create things like direct interfaces, artificial replacements, lifelike A.I.'s, etc., then it certainly would be an enormous advancement.

that brain fag is retarded

>>3084872
>>3084883

Also let's not forget transmitting 'you' as information across vast distances at nearly light speed.

>>3084836

The personal responsibility gene.

>>3084947
Growing organ replacements is currently in experimental phase. There's already a number of lab grown bladders running around inside people.

Complete gene manipulation. Babies are born with a natural defense against every disease in the book. Almost ensured to be intelligent and highly talented. Physically strong. Etc.

>>3085325

rofl so true

For having done the most I choose
>computers

For potential to do the most I choose
>brain

I agree thoroughly understanding and manipulating/enhancing the brain structure will be the best thing for humanity, possibly ever.

If it involves finding out a revolutionary way of getting cheap-as-tits energy source/method to completely (or practically) eliminate the need of petrol, maybe then we can actually progress somewhere at a better rate.

- wheel
- steam engine
- computer

Antimicrobials.

Making selleri taste like bacon.

I can't think of anything greater than quantum computing. Once we work out the kinks, quantum computers will be vastly more powerful than their silicon or graphene counterparts

>>3085992
>selleri

>>3086012

wat?

>>3086042
*Celery