A Telescope Aimed at the Future

+

Often a good approximation

Our time in history is unique in that physical knowledge and computational methods enable partial understanding of technology levels above our own — and in some areas, far above. Because we understand the universal physical laws that govern matter and energy, we understand the physical laws that will govern the material structures of future technologies.

Our time is also unique in that growing computational capacity can enable us to simulate systems that have not yet been built: New aircraft typically fly as expected, new computer chips typically operate as expected. These same capabilities can also be used to simulate systems that cannot yet be built. These systems include some of the products and processes that will be enabled by higher levels of technology. Indeed, in semiconductor technology, a company must design chips before they can be made, or lose to its competitors.

Using computational simulation this way is like the earlier use of telescopes to view planets that spacecraft could not yet reach. Like a telescope, it does not provide a detailed picture — that is the role of spacecraft. But like a telescope, it can identify potential targets and help engineers plan how to reach them. And likewise, the easiest targets to see are not necessarily the easiest targets to reach.

• How to Learn About Everything
• How to Understand Everything (and Why)
• A Map of Science
• The Antiparallel Structures of Science and Engineering
• Science and Engineering: A Layer-Cake of Inquiry and Design
• Exploratory Engineering:
  Applying the predictive power of science
  to future technologies