Michio Kaku and the View of the Future

          Michio Kaku's comments on the future of technology and society are startling. I can't decide if the possibilities of the future are negative or positive, although some are definitely both. In his second point, Kaku describes how "augmented reality will be everyday reality", and this scares me. If people can have maps, scripts, translations and biographies available in their lenses at any point of the day, people won't have the incentive to actually learn anything new. The amount of work people will need to put into their jobs would decrease if technology provides them with everything they need to know. Future actors won't know how to memorize lines because their scripts are laid out in front of them at all times. Travelers and tourists won't need to fully immerse themselves in a new culture and learn the language if all the information and translations are right there in their glasses. I think the possibilities of technology in the future will definitely make like easier, but difficult tasks such as memorizing scripts and learning new languages will lose their value and humans will lose their incentive to learn new things.
          The other point that I had a major reaction to was Kaku's third point about new connections being made between the mind and the computer. I think it is amazing that people with disabilities will be able to control certain aspects of technology with their thoughts; mechanical body parts and wheelchairs as well as video games can be operated simply with the mind. This will definitely make life easier and more enjoyable for those with severe disabilities. Some of the people who are deprived of the privileges of everyday life will finally get to enjoy more things. I think that is a beautiful concept, and if there's anything that technology should be trying to improve, it's the quality of life for those who are struggling.
          Then again, I think technology is improving for the wrong reasons in certain cases. Under Kaku's third point again, he describes how people will be able to upload thoughts, memories, and emotions onto the internet. While this is impressive, I think it is totally unnecessary. Memories and emotions are a precious part of our consciousness that make life worth living. The feeling of happiness you get while hugging your family and friends, the feeling of disappointment you get when you fail a test, the feeling of pride you get when someone you love accomplishes something; these are the moments that define and shape our lives. If these are translated and recorded technologically, they will lose their value. Being able to go back and view memories and dreams undermines how special they are when they actually occur. People will forget to treasure the important moments in life if they know that can just look back on it later. Sometimes I think technological developments can go too far and take away from the value of life, and I sincerely hope that doesn't happen.