Science!, We Can Do That Now!

We Can Do That Now!-Universal Translators

The foundation of any good relationship is communication. This is true of friendships, marriages, communities, and civilizations. Being able to articulate nuanced thoughts and feelings is the only way by which we gain a deeper understanding of those around us. Throughout history, language has been the primary means used by humanity to communicate with one another. But we don’t all speak the same language, and so barriers remain. And while the urge to understand one another my date back to the dawn of time it is the advent of science-fiction that pushed the concept of a universal translation machine to…

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Science!, We Can Do That Now!

We Can Do That Now!-Personal Jetpacks

               One of humanity’s oldest and most primal urges is to learn what it’s like to fly. Tales of humans and gods soaring through the sky litter mythology. Throughout history some of humanities greatest engineers sketched out ideas in an attempt to make their dreams a reality. And finally, with the invention of the airplane, they succeeded.  But flying across the country in a cramped coach seat isn’t exactly what our ancestors had in mind. They want to feel the wind on their faces, to feel the freedom of nothing but air all around them. Which is why even after…

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Science!, We Can Do That Now!

We Can Do That Now!-Hypospray

Needles. Everybody hates them. Even those of us who don’t have a phobia of them still find the process of jabbing sharpened metal into our skin to be a not so comfortable experience. Which might be why in science fiction we find that an alternative to this invasive experience is as common a staple as spaceships and laser beams. I’m speaking of course of the future’s most famous medical tool: Hypospray.           As is the case with most hypothetical futuristic technologies the hypospray was popularized on the original Star Trek stories. The story goes that it was an inventive way of…

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Science!, We Can Do That Now!

We Can Do That Now!- Replicators

The Star Trek franchise has always served as a fount of ideas for futurists. From wireless communication devises to tractor beams, scientists have spent decades trying to create real-life versions of the fictional innovations they’ve seen on their television screens. Perhaps no technology has seemed further from our grasp than the series’ replicators. These devices are first shown to be able to create basic food rations before receiving upgrades that allowed them to create sophisticated meals and industrial materials, all of these items being created seemingly from thin air. But something from nothing is not a feasible area of academic…

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Science!, We Can Do That Now!

We Can Do That Now- Lightsabers

Over the years, science fiction has shaped the mind of many a young scientist and set them on a course to make reality the fictions of their childhood but perhaps never has that pursuit been more geared towards adolescent fulfillment than in scientists attempt to make the famous weapon of the Jedi the lightsaber, or as Obi-Wan would say an elegant weapon from a more civilized age. That’s right, continuing our Star Wars themed week here at The Eclectic Eccentric this edition of We Can Do That Now is going to focus on the dream of every fanboy the possibility…

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Science!, We Can Do That Now!

We Can Do That Now: Neurogaming

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with the world of Science! here at the Eclectic Eccentric and a recent conversation got me jazzed to jump back into it with a new installment of We Can Do That Now! Where I discuss something incredibly cool: Neurogaming. Something so cutting edge spellcheck is telling me it’s not a word. I’m gonna go ahead and interpret that as a sign that I should start with a definition. What is Neurogaming? Well it’s a cutting edge branch of the videogame industry that seeks to use Brain Control Interfaces (BCIs) to create comprehensive…

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Science!, We Can Do That Now!

We Can Do That Now!- Force Fields

“Shields Up!” It’s a familiar refrain for science-fiction aficionados. From Star Trek to Dune to Independence Day invisible shields of energy that protect ships, buildings, or individuals from attack have been a staple of Geekdom from its very inception. But now this science fiction is headed quickly towards becoming science fact. I explain how in this the inaugural edition of We Can Do That Now! Work on real-life force fields is nothing new. After all more than one generation of scientists has grown up having to choose a side in the never-ending battle between the Force and the Federation. However…

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