The Next, Next Big Thing

Eventually the fields of genetic engineering and nanotechnology will merge into a single field of Protein Engineering. Because, nanotechnologists will find that the best way to build microscopic machines is to do it the way that nature already does it. It will begin with biomimicry using current methods of genetic engineering. Eventually geneticists will be able to create new organisms beyond just tweaking current ones. When this happens Protein Engineering will emerge. The next step beyond this is the merger between engineered flesh and non-organic machines and computers. Imagine a “living” organism with no brain, respiratory system, or digestive system. It will have just a basic nervous system, organic musculoskeletal system, an artificial computer brain, and a “fuel cell” that contains preprocessed nutrients that are pumped directly into the blood stream then filtered by an organic waste removal system (like a kidney that empties into a container). These will be the robots of the future. This methodology will create robots that can perform complex tasks with the flexibility provided by a body that uses muscles rather than motors and actuators. These are the soldiers and the workers of the future made possible by Protein Engineering that will give the ability to design new structures made from organic material.

Focusing On Carbon Misses The Point

I can hardly make it through a day without hearing something about global warming. The discussion typically focuses on carbon emissions. While taking on a single front may be a more effective strategy for winning a war it always helps to pick the right front. Admittedly, Carbon is a greenhouse gas that is being increased due to human activity. But this is true for Methane also. Methane is 20 times more potent than carbon. Carbon comprises 76% of the atmosphere’s greenhouse gases and Methane 13%. But if there is a 1:20 ratio of greenhouse potency for Carbon vs. Methane then the overall ratio of their effect is 76:260. So, why is all of the attention on Carbon? It appears to me that if the greenhouse gas pundits really wanted to stop global warming they should focus on Methane.

Sources:
http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/greenhouse.htm
http://www.epa.gov/methane/

Shortage of IT Skills?

Bill Gates made the statement that; “There is a shortage of IT skills on a worldwide basis.” This, perhaps, is true for now. But, I have to wonder what all those IT people will be doing in the future when there is supposedly such a high demand. How much information do we need and what is it worth? Who’s going to pay for their services and what will they pay? Presently in the United States many employers require a 4-year college degree from prospective employees. Sometimes it takes a master’s degree to compete for a job. Quite honestly, as information technology matures employers should be requiring less education, not more. For instance, the knowledge required to be a proficient programmer could be taught in a two-year trade school. Because, IT skills are just that – a trade. The skills required for programming or systems administration are now well defined. These skilled positions are what welders and machinists were during the industrial age.

Deciding on a career in IT is deciding to be a wage slave for a corporation. Put simply, a factory worker in the information age. I don’t mean to be so negative. This type of life can provide some comfort and stability (although I hesitate to say that any kind of job stability still exists) and can be very good for the majority of people. But, highly educated people tend to be highly motivated. They have to be to go through what they do to get that education. So, putting them into work-a-day IT positions can be very unsatisfying.

So, to get to a conclusion I suggest that higher education focus on creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial business and that IT skills should be the domain of trade schools and not graduate schools. Unfortunately, teaching creative skills is being systematically removed from the American school system. It’s sad because that is what America needs more than ever if it is to remain competitive on the global business playing field.

P.S. You’ll notice that in the article Mr. Gates is speaking to an audience in Moscow. So, just as manufacturing has left America so will IT. I know that this is not a news flash but I really think it needs reiterating as I continue to see more universities offer more IT specific degrees and see students continuing to enroll in them.

Energy and Water are Linked

As I was standing in line last night waiting to vote I decided to make use of my time and think about the water crisis that is emerging on our planet. The Earth has plenty of water, just not much water that you can drink. Desalinization would seem to be the answer. The problem is that it is energy intensive. Presently it is difficult to justify the cost of desalinization when equated with the world’s growing energy demands and the need to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. I recently just heard the news that China will pass the U.S. in greenhouse gas emissions by 2009. So as I see it energy and water are the two most pressing technological issues that we currently face.

Our natural desalinization process uses energy from the sun evaporate water from the oceans and form clouds that subsequently rain down fresh water for us. We already have a system in place. The problem is that the water is not getting to the places where we need it. What we need are water pipelines just like we have oil or natural gas pipelines. We need to value water as much as we value fire. Perhaps this would restore some balance and improve the quality of life for so many around the globe. I think the key is that we need to recognize the link between water and energy and create cyclical system for the two to feed each other, for example, generate energy from water and water from energy.