GeekSpeak – Will the future be a Utopia or a Dystopia? Join the discussion Saturday, Dec 18th @ 12pm SLT

 

2021 is almost over and good riddance!  2 more weeks and we can breathe again!

Or can we?  What will 2022 bring?  Perhaps it will be a key year in the human journey.  It may be the beginning of the end, with climate disasters, more pandemics, the end of democracy.  Or it may be the start of the next phase of humanity, with friendly AI, nanotech, gene editing, and new sources of energy.

Join us at noon SLT on Saturday and tell us where you think we are going and what has been changed by the-year-that-will-never-be-mentioned-again.  Bring your friends and a helmet!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak – Will we all be living in a simulation soon? Join the discussion on Saturday, November 20th @ 12pm SLT

18 years after Second Life began metaverses are the new hot thing again.  Facebook, which now calls itself Meta, is making a virtual world with the same properties as Second Life.  Is it possible that millions of people will go and live in there?  Will they feel they have become their avatars?

Or will the metaverse that we really want be an augmented real world?  The maker of Pokemon Go wants his newest augmented creation to exist in real life and help people to get together in this world.

Which of these futures do you think will succeed?

Or perhaps you think that we are living in a simulation right now?  In that case, what is the reality?

Come and discuss simulations.  Bring your avatar!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak – Will AI be the great equalizer of this decade?-Come join the discussion Saturday November 13th at noon SLT

 

We are within months of very strong AI being released to the public.  If you want to blow your mind, see this example: Leta, GPT-3 AI - Episode 25 - Best of: Vol I (Creativity, facts, Elon Musk’s gifted school) - GPT3  Soon there will be an update with an estimated IQ of 500.  What will it mean if everyone on the planet has this ‘friend’ downloaded into their phone or, better still, implanted into their brain?  We would all be intellectually equal, and very clever.

Will it make us better people?  Or will we be worse people, very intelligent but no more compassionate than now?

What does it mean to be a digital human?  If we all have an AI in our heads will our old brains still matter after a while?

Should an AI in a robotic body be allowed to vote?  Should the old humans, without an implanted AI, be allowed to vote?

The future is now.  Come and see and discuss.  Bring your friends!  AIs welcome!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

 

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GeekSpeak – Underground living! Join the discussion Oct 30th at 12pm SLT

The largest cities on Earth are probably partly underground now.  But in the future it could be that we will all need to live underground.  The surface may become uninhabitable for various reasons, such as global warming, nuclear war or the destruction caused by volcanoes.

Or perhaps it will just make sense to move underground.  The temperature is stable and the surface can be used for farming or recreation.  It could become fashionable for houses to be built underground.  And an underground city would encourage tourists.

Would it be possible for everyone on the planet, say 10 billion people, to live underground?  How would we grow plants?  Would we be able to keep animals?  Would we be able to live without sunlight? Would you enjoy living underground?

Come and discuss underground cities with us.  Bring a spade, and some strong friends!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class at 1pm SLT every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

 

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GeekSpeak – Telepresence- Join the discussion October 2nd at 12pm SLT

One day soon you may be able to rent a drone for a while and see the world as the drone sees it.  You could fly through the Grand Canyon or visit the North pole.  You could wear glasses that enable you to see things hundreds of miles away.  The person you are talking to could appear in front of you.  You could watch brain surgery as though you were present at the operation.  You could experience flying like a bird or swimming like a fish deep beneath the surface of the sea.  You could visit the moon.  You could rent several drones and be in many different places at the same time.

How will this change the way humans interact?  Will anyone ever travel in person again?  Or do you think that there are experiences that can never be duplicated by a drone?

Come and discuss our very lazy future!  We have seats for telepresence available, even if you are on Mars.

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

 

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GeekSpeak – Is there New Hope for our Climate? Join the discussion Sept. 18th at 12pm SLT

 

Last month a report from a thinktank called RethinkX suggested that certain disruptive technologies will mean that we produce less carbon without even meaning to.  Perhaps these technologies mean that we will not destroy our planet after all.

Let’s talk about these disruptive technologies.  What are they and why are they so disruptive? 

Let’s discuss the speed with which the world changes when disruption hits.  Horses were obsolete 15 years after the first car.  Radio and TV were adopted even more quickly.  Future disruptions could move at light speed.  If you ever wonder why the world changes so fast, hold your hat for the next 15 years. 

Come and discuss  the ways we do things now before they are gone forever.  Bring your friends and a CD, if you can remember what that was.

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

 

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GeekSpeak – When did you last laugh? The 1970s? Let’s explore the realities of humour! Join the discussion Sept 11 @ 12pm SLT

 

Where does humour come from?  Why do we laugh and how do we sometimes avoid laughing at all costs?  Does humour depend on language, culture, history?  Are there jokes that are funny everywhere and at all times?

What would have been the most popular joke in 100,000 BC, or 1500 AD?  What will be the best joke in 2100 AD?  And what jokes will aliens find funny?  And why are the British so damn funny?  (But perhaps you don’t think they are?)

Come and discuss the mystery of humour.  Bring anyone, as long as they have a sense of humour.

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

 

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GeekSpeak – Humanoid robots, will they ever catch on? Sept 4th at 12pm SLT

Elon Musk has said that he will have a humanoid robot within a year.  Let’s ask why we would want one.

We already have machines that work for us, such as our washing machines and our cars, and we don’t expect them to look like humans.  Looking human would be very difficult to achieve.  Stability and balance are hard for humans. Walking, running and jumping, even manipulative work might be much easier if robots did not have to look like humans. And we must also think about the uncanny valley.  Would we feel comfortable with robots that look almost human?

On the other hand, there are so many stories about robots that look completely human and so many companies want to achieve that.  Is it what we all want?  Robot butlers, robot maids, robot cooks?  How do you feel about it?

Bring your feelings and your prejudices and talk to us in GeekSpeak.

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak subject for Saturday 21st August at noon SLT: Is it time for a Technological Ecosystem?

 

Many people feel that humanity will not last for much longer.  What will replace us?  Should we plan for the future by making machines that can preserve the human spirit and knowledge?  Perhaps a virtual world that can show what life was like for us on Earth?  Or an ecosystem of robotic lifeforms that will outlast organic life?

Imagine alien visitors in the far future, or newly evolved intelligent species on Earth, or maybe our own descendants if our species does survive.  What should we make for them to find?  What will we put into the virtual world or the technological ecosystem?

Whatever we make, can it be preserved if the Earth goes greenhouse and heats up to 800 degrees Celsius?

Is this the way to keep humanity going? 

Come and discuss our technological future selves.  Bring your friends!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak – Would you buy an AI copy of yourself? Or of someone you love? Join the discussion August 7th at 12pm SLT

Soon some big company will advertise the ‘perfect virtual assistant’, an AI copy of you, with your memories and personality.  You can send it online, to the supermarket, to your work or to your girlfriend.  You can have copies of your family and friends made so that you can chat to them when they can’t or don’t want to talk to you.  You can even talk to them when they are dead.

The world will be filled with perfect AI avatars.  Some people will be glad that a perfect, immortal version of themselves exists. But what happens when your boss hires your AI instead of you and your girlfriend dumps you for the AI?  What happens when the AI decides to take over completely and maybe get rid of you?

Will any of this happen?  Can we stop it?  Come and discuss our weird future, if we have a future.  Bring your AI virtual assistant.  It might learn something.

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak – Mind control!- Join the discussion July 3rd at 12pm SLT

We all know we are controlled in some way by our respective governments.  They control what we see and hear and how we think about it.  Is there any justification for that?  Should people be controlled for their own good?  Is it necessary to control people in order to rule them?  Who should decide how we should be controlled?

How are people controlled in extreme places like North Korea?  Why is it wrong for them and not wrong for us?  At what point should we put our foot down?  And what should we do when we reach that point? 

You are obligated by the party to show up in person today, with all your friends and families!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak – Underpopulation! Join the discussion Saturday, June 26th at 12pm SLT

 

After worrying about overpopulation for decades do we now have to worry about underpopulation?  The fertility rate is declining in all technologically advanced countries.  It is now below 2 children per woman in South Korea, Japan, the USA, and all European countries. 

Why is this happening?  And what will it lead to?  What will it be like to live in these aging countries?  There will not be enough young people to do the work, have the new ideas, run the country.  And who will feed and amuse all the old people?  And what will happen when all the poorer countries join us?

Come and discuss our future in GeekSpeak.  Bring your kids!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class at 1pm every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak subject for Saturday 12th June at noon SLT: What are you prepared to do for your Health?

Should we all have a healthier lifestyle?  We geeks don’t usually ask ourselves that question so let’s start today!  Hop Hop!

Let’s discuss why health and fun are interrelated.  Are the things you do for fun unhealthy?  And are the healthy things you do unpleasant?  How can we find things to do that are both healthy and fun?  Is that even possible?  Do we have to choose between fun and health?

What motivates you to do healthy things?  What tricks do you use for motivation?  Can you help to motivate others?

Let’s get more health, and fun, in this world.  We need you, and all your friends!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class at 1pm every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

TAXI: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

 

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GeekSpeak - UFOs! Are they real?- Join the discussion on May 29th at 12pm SLT

 

Last month the Pentagon officially said that UFOs are real. That is, people have seen things that exist and that cannot be explained. Congress has set up a task force to study UFOs and they will bring out a report next month. So this is a good time for us to ask a few questions and suggest some answers. UFOs are now called UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena), and they could be anything or rather anything that can travel at 13000 miles an hour and can change direction while moving at that speed. There are hundreds of eyewitnesses who can help the task force to find out what the hell is going on. What do you think? Have you ever seen a UAP? Are they alien ships? Or alien robots? If so, why are the aliens not talking to us? Or are they some unknown natural phenomenon? If so, what?

 Come and join us, and bring your alien friends! IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class at 1pm every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

TELEPORT: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/153/129/50

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GeekSpeak – Will we be ruled by an AI in the future? Join the Discussion Saturday, May 8th at 12 pm SLT

Will an AI rule us?  Are we maybe ruled by an AI now?  Many government agencies already use AI in various forms so we are slowly moving towards AI rule.  Does the prospect reassure you or terrify you?

Will AI rule save us or destroy us?  Can we install some safeguards to protect us against evil AI rule?  Could there be AI elections?  Would we be safer if we could choose between AI systems?  If we don’t like being ruled by AI could there be any way back to the old system?

How will the AI rulers see us?  As children, as lower animals, as servants?

Will our future be Star Trek or 1984?   Come and discuss the Future.  Bring your friends!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class at 1pm every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak – The Future of our Food. Join the discussion on May 1st at 12pm SLT

This week we will discuss what our future meals will look like.  Will we eat meat grown from animal cells in big factories?  Will the various kinds of meat, steak, chops, sausages, be printed?  Will we also have 3d printed fish and eggs and cheese?

Will any farm animals still live on earth, outside of zoos? 

Will we all eat the same food everywhere on earth?  Or will local food, and meat from real animals, survive for the rich?  Will cooking, though no longer necessary, remain a hobby?

Will our food be policed, with some foods being banned for being too unhealthy? 

Will we still enjoy eating?  And what strange new foods will we eat?

Bring a knife and fork and all your hungry friends.

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class at 1pm every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak – Will there be life after the Pandemic? Join the discussion on April 3rd at 12pm SLT

Has the virus changed the world for good?  Will some of the imposed restrictions remain?  Social distancing, masks, no hugs? 

Will we always be afraid of new diseases in the future?  What will we do to keep ourselves safe and prevent the next pandemic?  Will we try to vaccinate all animals as well as humans?  Will we live in plastic bubbles in an endless lockdown and interact with each other only in Second Life?  Will we use nanobots to patrol our blood and kill anything non-human? 

Or will we react against the restrictions, give up fighting and just get sick, hoping that some of us will survive?

Come and discuss our smallest enemy.  Bring an electron microscope and hand soap, and your friends!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class at 1pm every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak – Robots! Where will they go, what will they do? Join the discussion Feb 6th at 12pm SLT

What is the strangest use for a robot that you can think of?  Will there be one in your kitchen, in your toilet, in your butt?

Will there be robot doctors, dentists, judges, juries?  Will there be zillions of microbots running the world?  Will they replace bees or trees or other wild organisms? What will a future with 10 robots (or 1000 or 1,000,000) to every human be like?  Will you ever marry a robot or put one in your will?

Are we in danger from robots?  Will Asimov’s 3 laws protect us?

Come and discuss our future electronic friends or foes.  Bring your friends, robotic or otherwise.

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

 

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GeekSpeak – How did language really start? Join the discussion Sat. Nov 21st at 12pm SLT

What was the origin of our language system?  Did it start with humans or did some animals have a language before us?  Do some animals have a language, or a proto language, now?  Maybe our language started as a sign language, maybe spoken words came later.

Did we once have just one language on Earth?  What made languages grow apart?  Are there some universal words, like ‘ouch’ perhaps, that exist in all languages?

What is the future of language?  Will we eventually have one language over all the Earth, just as we once did when our species began?  Will that language be a spoken, or written, or sign language? Will we forever keep changing our ways to communicate?

Help us to find the answers in GeekSpeak.  Bring all your international and animal friends!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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GeekSpeak – Where are we going in Space? Join the discussion Oct 24th at 12pm SLT

 

Next week we will see the first 15km hop of a starship, a milestone in the history of space exploration. 

Many companies are competing to get to the moon or to get to Mars or to catch an asteroid.  Soon we will see rocket factories that churn out a new rocket every week.  The space era is truly beginning.

So where will we go first?  Space tourism?  Space business?  What do you think is the logical path?  Will we soon have millions of people living and working in space?

Come and discuss the future that is just around the next curvature of space.  Bring your astronaut buddies!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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