The End of the Unthinkable

For just about as long as humanity has existed, we’ve been surprising ourselves.

The Neanderthals could never have conceived of a catapult, the Britons of a steam engine, or the American colonists of the internet.  Every time we think we’ve seen it all, we get blown away once again.

But Now What?

Despite what I just said, something does seem to have changed in our scope of thinking.  While it’s certain that there is still much to be made, there isn’t much that we can’t imagine today.  In other words, is there anything that can ever be invented that, if shown to a well educated person from today, couldn’t be described by that person as “like ____,” or “like ____, but…”.

The distance into the future we can think is incredible— and, as far as humans go, unprecedented.  We can imagine all sorts of things— VR, transporters, interstellar drive— and, while still far away from actually existing, we can still acknowledge that it’s possible.  We just don’t know how to make them yet.

So What Changed?

A few things, I think.  The first is the computer, the core of almost every new invention of much importance.  The versatility and complexity of the computer gives us a tool— and a category— for so much stuff that was completely inconceivable before.

Another big part of it is is science fiction.  When you’re actually trying to make things, you tend to stick with the possible, the feasible, the safe.  But when you don’t have to actually make the thing?  When your main purpose is to entertain?  Then you can really go far— much further than scientists and engineers can go alone.

Stopped?  Or Slowed?

You may be wondering how many people have said all this before, and then were silenced by the telephone or by space travel.  And the answer is, quite probably, a lot.  There’s a very good chance that I’m wrong, and when I’m old and grey something completely out of my scope will present itself.

But not for a while.

I’m fairly certain that nothing that hasn’t presented itself in fiction or in the heads of the people already— in one form or another— will come to exist for a long time.  That doesn’t mean nothing incredible will emerge, not by a long shot.  I think we’re coming into an age where our dreams are coming true.  Maybe a little differently that we had anticipated, but no less wonderfully.

It’s also well worth mentioning that I’m only talking about inventions, things we’re making.  I’m next to positive that our discoveries— the world around us, and within— will continue to astound(and confound) us for a very, very long time.

So What do You Think?

Although the topic has a lot more potential, I’m already running a bit longer than normal for one of these posts.  But I’d like to know what you guys think.  Has our scope of the conceivable expanded to the limits of what’s possible?  Has it just slowed?  Or is it just beginning?  I’d love it if you would comment below, and, as always, keep on geekin’ on!