Randy Chandy
Chieftain
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2018
- Messages
- 4
What technologies/civics/units/wonders would you like to see in a detailed, realistic future era? This could include hypothetical technologies, stuff currently under development which is not yet practical, or stuff which Firaxis has simply not included yet.
Note - I am not a scientist - my explanations are highly simplified and may not be entirely accurate.
Technologies
Optical Computing - Computing using photons rather than electrical current to carry a signal. Potentially much faster.
Quantum Computing - Computing using quantum phenomena, many potential implications - particularly in the field of cryptography.
Phage Therapy - Alternative to antibiotics (bacteriophages are more specific), and one possible solution the the antibiotic apocalypse.
Virtual Reality - Really cool video games and probably some educational uses.
Augmented Reality - like VR, but overlayed onto the real world. Applications range from combat systems to advertising.
Graphene - Apparent wonder material with uses from electronics to water filtration.
Supercavitation - currently used by some torpedoes - projects an air bubble around the torpedo as it movies to reduce drag. Potentially could be used to make very fast submarines.
Dynamic Armor - two metal plates with a charge difference between them, when a bullet breaches the armour it bridges the gap and the electrical current produced neutralises the bullet.
SABRE Engine - Synthetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine - used to build a single stage space-plane.
Reusable Rocketry - what SpaceX is already doing - currently being used to build Starlink - a constellation of low earth satellites for universal high speed internet.
Artificial Meat - tastes like meat, but without the environmental footprint.
Vertical Farming - using technology like hydroponics, aeroponics and light control to grow plants in any conditions and with a low environmental footprint. Probably a necessary step for effective space colonisation.
Cryptocurrency - allows secure and decentralised transactions - in theory anyway.
Photon Sail - low cost (but slow) method of propelling space probes.
Rail Gun - capable of hitting targets at large distances, much less expensive than rocket-propelled projectiles
Laser Weaponry - currently under development. Could be used defensively (i.e. disable incoming warheads).
Neural Lace - the ability the detect and interpret brainwaves currently exists in a very limited sense. This would be a full mind-machine interface.
Gravitational Lens - the suns gravitational field bends light waves and so functions as a massive lens, a space telescope at the appropriate location could take advantage of this.
Asteroid Mining - almost limitless metal resources can be found in the asteroid belt. The economic impacts of being able to retrieve them would be profound.
Civics
Transhumanism - The belief that humans should use technology to extend their bodies beyond their natural state - opposed to Bioconservatism.
Posthumanism - Extension of the above to the point where humanity is no longer recognisable.
Personalised Medicine - Tailored to your genome.
Universal Basic Income - currently in trials around the world.
Agroforestry - the growing understanding that crops can be grown in a diverse ecosystem.
Units
Exo-skeleton soldier - many prototypes exist. Currently limited by battery power.
Supersonic Submarine - see supercavitation above.
Spaceplane - plane capable of exiting the atmosphere. See SABRE engine above. Google Skylon for an example.
Tilt-Rotor Aircraft - combines some of the advantages of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
Ground X-Vehicle - lighter and potentially autonomous vehicles, currently under investigation by DARPA.
Note - I am not a scientist - my explanations are highly simplified and may not be entirely accurate.
Technologies
Optical Computing - Computing using photons rather than electrical current to carry a signal. Potentially much faster.
Quantum Computing - Computing using quantum phenomena, many potential implications - particularly in the field of cryptography.
Phage Therapy - Alternative to antibiotics (bacteriophages are more specific), and one possible solution the the antibiotic apocalypse.
Virtual Reality - Really cool video games and probably some educational uses.
Augmented Reality - like VR, but overlayed onto the real world. Applications range from combat systems to advertising.
Graphene - Apparent wonder material with uses from electronics to water filtration.
Supercavitation - currently used by some torpedoes - projects an air bubble around the torpedo as it movies to reduce drag. Potentially could be used to make very fast submarines.
Dynamic Armor - two metal plates with a charge difference between them, when a bullet breaches the armour it bridges the gap and the electrical current produced neutralises the bullet.
SABRE Engine - Synthetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine - used to build a single stage space-plane.
Reusable Rocketry - what SpaceX is already doing - currently being used to build Starlink - a constellation of low earth satellites for universal high speed internet.
Artificial Meat - tastes like meat, but without the environmental footprint.
Vertical Farming - using technology like hydroponics, aeroponics and light control to grow plants in any conditions and with a low environmental footprint. Probably a necessary step for effective space colonisation.
Cryptocurrency - allows secure and decentralised transactions - in theory anyway.
Photon Sail - low cost (but slow) method of propelling space probes.
Rail Gun - capable of hitting targets at large distances, much less expensive than rocket-propelled projectiles
Laser Weaponry - currently under development. Could be used defensively (i.e. disable incoming warheads).
Neural Lace - the ability the detect and interpret brainwaves currently exists in a very limited sense. This would be a full mind-machine interface.
Gravitational Lens - the suns gravitational field bends light waves and so functions as a massive lens, a space telescope at the appropriate location could take advantage of this.
Asteroid Mining - almost limitless metal resources can be found in the asteroid belt. The economic impacts of being able to retrieve them would be profound.
Civics
Transhumanism - The belief that humans should use technology to extend their bodies beyond their natural state - opposed to Bioconservatism.
Posthumanism - Extension of the above to the point where humanity is no longer recognisable.
Personalised Medicine - Tailored to your genome.
Universal Basic Income - currently in trials around the world.
Agroforestry - the growing understanding that crops can be grown in a diverse ecosystem.
Units
Exo-skeleton soldier - many prototypes exist. Currently limited by battery power.
Supersonic Submarine - see supercavitation above.
Spaceplane - plane capable of exiting the atmosphere. See SABRE engine above. Google Skylon for an example.
Tilt-Rotor Aircraft - combines some of the advantages of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
Ground X-Vehicle - lighter and potentially autonomous vehicles, currently under investigation by DARPA.
