Space of TechnologicalPossibilities

Border:impossible due to natural laws

in principal, technology is onlyconstrained by natural laws(and availabilityof necessaryresources/energy)

M.JiSun, 2009

Space of TechnologicalPossibilities

Border:impossible due to natural laws

currently known tech. possibilities

it is extremelylikely that currentlyhumans only knowa fraction of allpotentially possibletechnologies

M.JiSun, 2009

Space of TechnologicalPossibilities

Border:impossible due to natural laws

currently known tech. possibilities

current principally applicable tech.

not all known technologicalpossibilities cancurrently berealized in principle.

humans know thatthe sun generatesenergy from nuclear fusion, thatliving organismsare self-replicatingnano-machines andthat the human brainworks somehow,but they are stillnot able to artificially reconstructthese principles

M.JiSun, 2009

Space of TechnologicalPossibilities

Border:impossible due to natural laws

currently known tech. possibilities

current principally applicable tech.

currently applied and approved tech.

not all technologiesthat are even technically possibleare also applied.

laws and regulationsas well as ethicalconsiderations aresetting constraints.

(even though it istechnically feasibleto select embryosfrom IVF beforeimplanting, thisprocedure is not allowed in somecountries)

M.JiSun, 2009

Space of TechnologicalPossibilities

Border:impossible due to natural laws

expanding theoreticalknowledge

liberal regulatoryframework and wide acceptance

expanding developments(innovations)

if science issupported, theclimate for transformingtheoretical knowledgeinto products (innovation) is favorable and theregulatory frameworkis liberal (only fewrestrictions), humanities spaceof technologicaldevelopments willexpand.

M.JiSun, 2009

Space of TechnologicalPossibilities

Border:impossible due to natural laws

research restrictions

strict regulatoryframework and rejection

halt of new developments

even research restrictions can hardlystop humans toacquire new technicalknowledge

known technologiescan hardly be madeunknown again

that’s why regulations(ethics, acceptability,voluntary constraintsetc.) are the major regulatory measuresto try to stoptechnologicalapplications

that’s why politicsover technology willbecome a major (andControversial) topicwithin the near future

M.JiSun, 2009