Event Horizon: A Podcast

Andre and Richard talk about the ongoing development of intelligent transportation systems that allow the passenger to plan and manage every detail of even the most complex journey. In addition, they look at the TerraVenture autonomous RV, and the Pop.Up system from Airbus. Opening and closing music by Andre Hoogeveen. All other music by Lee Rosevere, and available through iTunes.

One of the biggest impacts humans have had on their environment is construction. We build structures for everything from housing to storage, manufacturing to administration - and we do it with a bewildering variety of materials. Andre and Richard casually discuss new materials and processes currently in development, and how they will influence what we build in the world of tomorrow.

The gap in our supply of surgical skill is beginning to be filled now through robotic assisted surgery -- and eventually through robotic surgery. Tools like the Da Vinci Surgery System are poised to be supplemented and possibly even replaced with autonomous surgical machines. Today it’s possible for a surgeon to carry out an operation remotely, by “piloting” a robot surgeon like Da Vinci at a distance. Andre and Richard talk about the current status of robotic surgery and where it may lead.

This shorter episode is the first to feature our new scripted format! With the inevitable rise of autonomous vehicles at hand, and the increasing use of ride-sharing services, the validity of private vehicle ownership comes into question. Why own a car if you can simply request one through an app? Andre and Richard explore the benefits and challenges of vehicle ownership in the forthcoming age of self-driving cars. Script written by Richard A. Becker. Original music and editing by Andre Hoogeveen.

The transforming of an otherwise barren or “dead” world into one which can harbor life as we know it seems like pure science fiction. Yet, serious thought has been put into terraforming for decades. Before we are capable of exploring worlds beyond our own solar system, we may transform those nearest us - such as Mars - into an "overflow sanctuary" for an ever-growing human population. Andre and Richard casually discuss the challenges of such a herculean task, and the likelihood that we may or may not be successful with our current understanding of planetary geophysics and the current state of our technology.

Contemplating the future can be fun, but to formulate a more tantalizing image of what may come, it might help to develop a narrative or story. What might a typical day look like for someone living circa 2050? Andre and Richard make an effort at casually discussing how life might unfold from sunrise to sunset, including explorations of work, school, healthcare, transportation, and entertainment.

Personal, artificially intelligent assistants are likely to become part of our near-term future. They will anticipate our daily needs, maintaining calendars, responding to messages, scheduling transportation, ordering groceries, and much more. Furthermore, they could become meaningful companions to those who might otherwise shun human social contact. Not only will our assistants reside in our mobile electronic devices, they will inhabit our homes, vehicles, and offices.

It is often said that we know more about the moon than we do our own oceans. Of course, this is likely to change as we begin to permanently move out onto - and under - the sea in the near-future. Habitation and comprehensive exploration of the world's oceans will not only be desirable, it will probably be necessary. Andre and Richard casually discuss the possibilities regarding our planet's largest frontier.

You know, the "final frontier," right?! Andre and Richard launch into one of their biggest topics yet, and casually discuss everything from colonizing Mars to mining the asteroids to traveling through wormholes. Please join them on their “continuing mission” as they try to scratch the surface of what will likely be humankind’s greatest adventure!

It would seem quite likely that someone born in 2016 could live into the 22nd century. But, what about someone in their 40's or 50's? Will age-reversing technology develop quickly enough to allow for this? Furthermore - and perhaps most importantly - would you want to live for an extended period? Would you want to live indefinitely? Andre and Richard casually discuss the possibilities and the probabilities, as well as the pros and cons of increased longevity.