The subtle irony of like 800 quadrillion transistors literally being used to deliver this particular conversation back and forth is like rain on your wedding day, or a free ride when you've already made your Triscuit run for the day.
I wrote a paper early on in my electronics education in 1988. I proposed that we would soon have 1,000,000 transistors on a chip-- an (almost) outrageous claim. They have reached the limits many times now and surpassed them. 3D transistors next?
Good question (about the next paradigm, I mean). I certainly think 3D architecture holds the most short term promise, although it's difficult to say how quantum computing will change things (or during which decade). What else is on the menu?
Optical is interesting. It's like quantum computing insofar as holding a lot of "zero to n" potential, like a huge jump up in capability (due to light speed).
We also have DNA computing, carbon nanotubes, and a bunch of other... er... fringe ideas that could happen this century, maybe. Any of those seem promising to you?
This is a great article! Made me think about the different types of materials processors are made of in Starshatter. Crystal, liquid or solid, metallic plasma, and some are good ol' brainy meat.
It's weird to have a foot in the punk world (lots of anti-technology and anti-system thinking) and a foot in the world of thinking about a future where tech and humans are fully integrated. Punk is a complex genre, though, with plenty of different prevailing paradigms of thinking.
Yeah, there were some techno-optimist types who may have arisen from the same place that word arose, but the meaning became a lot more niche over the years, I think. Punk-wise, I'd say it was more like 75% techno-pessimism, kind of a response to the hyper-rationalization that had led to both world wars and the icky 70s where everyone found themselves. Punk was also a more visually shocking movement, and that was the central feature- excluding oneself from society in an instant. That part naturally appealed to me, but I didn't fully grasp the multiplicity of mindsets I was getting into.
Yeah it's just a label. You don't have to rationalize the two, that's not what I was implying. I don't think they are at odds at all. Tech is ambivalent; just a tool. Society bends it into good and bad. Me, I fall on the optimist side because it's just easier (for me) to live/think on the bright side of life
I like going down these little rabbit holes of "how we got here." Why we think the things we do - that's something very few people ever do, which seems... well, just wrong.
Forget their size! Why isn't anyone talking about how transistors are tiny and cute humanoid creatures? Where can I adopt one?!
Not so fast! We need to vet you, to make sure you'd be a good transistor-dad.
Question one: Do you currently have or will you soon have Triscuits in your home?
I once had a Triscuit but it died of neglect. I hope this doesn't disqualify me!
The subtle irony of like 800 quadrillion transistors literally being used to deliver this particular conversation back and forth is like rain on your wedding day, or a free ride when you've already made your Triscuit run for the day.
Genius
And who would've thought, they're triggers.
I wrote a paper early on in my electronics education in 1988. I proposed that we would soon have 1,000,000 transistors on a chip-- an (almost) outrageous claim. They have reached the limits many times now and surpassed them. 3D transistors next?
Good question (about the next paradigm, I mean). I certainly think 3D architecture holds the most short term promise, although it's difficult to say how quantum computing will change things (or during which decade). What else is on the menu?
Been awaiting optical computers for decades now.
Optical is interesting. It's like quantum computing insofar as holding a lot of "zero to n" potential, like a huge jump up in capability (due to light speed).
We also have DNA computing, carbon nanotubes, and a bunch of other... er... fringe ideas that could happen this century, maybe. Any of those seem promising to you?
This is a great article! Made me think about the different types of materials processors are made of in Starshatter. Crystal, liquid or solid, metallic plasma, and some are good ol' brainy meat.
Science creates fiction, and every now and then, fiction creates science. It's a very complimentary loop!
The best loop :3 Now, I gather it is high time we’ve had some Terran spaceships.
Punk and Poor v Trillions of Transistors per Triscuit. Battle of the bands!
Exactly where my noggin went after reading your Emergent post
It's weird to have a foot in the punk world (lots of anti-technology and anti-system thinking) and a foot in the world of thinking about a future where tech and humans are fully integrated. Punk is a complex genre, though, with plenty of different prevailing paradigms of thinking.
Cyberpunk?
Yeah, there were some techno-optimist types who may have arisen from the same place that word arose, but the meaning became a lot more niche over the years, I think. Punk-wise, I'd say it was more like 75% techno-pessimism, kind of a response to the hyper-rationalization that had led to both world wars and the icky 70s where everyone found themselves. Punk was also a more visually shocking movement, and that was the central feature- excluding oneself from society in an instant. That part naturally appealed to me, but I didn't fully grasp the multiplicity of mindsets I was getting into.
Yeah it's just a label. You don't have to rationalize the two, that's not what I was implying. I don't think they are at odds at all. Tech is ambivalent; just a tool. Society bends it into good and bad. Me, I fall on the optimist side because it's just easier (for me) to live/think on the bright side of life
OIC! Yes, that makes perfect sense.
I like going down these little rabbit holes of "how we got here." Why we think the things we do - that's something very few people ever do, which seems... well, just wrong.
Just like your post today- it's the only way to glimpse the rest of the iceberg!