Related Sections: Lists Military Robots
6 scary technologies that haven't ended the world… yet
Today, the world comes to an end. Well, in theaters, anyway. 2012 has us thinking about the apocalypse 'round these parts (so uplifting, we know), and that led us to wondering about all the crazy technology that's all around us — technology that at one point or another caused widespread fear that it was all over. It's happened several times, yet we're still here.
Make sure to knock on some wood before you click Continue, because here's six technologies that haven't ended the world — yet.
1. Nukes
The mushroom cloud is probably the most iconic symbol of humankind's potential self-destruction. The first nuke was used offensively back in 1945, and the thought of that kind of power has gripped the world ever since. The Cold War and its insanely logical "Balance of Terror" stalemate are over, but there are still enough nuclear weapons in existence to wipe out civilization as we know it.
2. Robots
The Matrix. Terminator. Battlestar Galactica. (Well, the Cylons made a serious effort, anyway.) If cinema is any indication, we're basically begging for a war against the machines. Still, unless its name is Asimo, real-life 'bots are lucky if one can even stand up. At the same time, a robot doesn't need a human shape to be deadly — consider all the drones and combat 'bots we've got fighting overseas right now. Each generation gets more autonomous and more deadly. Could this be a slippery slope?
3. Genetic engineering
The idea of genetic engineering sets off all kinds of fantasies: an army of super-soldiers, a takeover by giant ants, the act of cloning destroying what's inherently human. Hell, even giant roosters, as you can see above. What offsets these fears is the promise of diseases being cured, longer lifespans and greater control over our bodies in general. Only time will tell if it's worth it.
4. Biotech disasters
Speaking of genetic engineering, remember StarLink corn? Back in '01 the biotechnology industry was inserting toxin-producing genes into corn genomes, which was thought of a good way to combat pests. The flipside was that it could also inflame new allergies in humans, or worse, though it was never intended for human consumption. It became a media disaster when StarLink corn made its way onto dinner tables, and even into Taco Bell. The idea of a biotech disaster became more real, then, as it could lead to a destruction of our food supply or even super-resistant pests and weeds that could do the same.
5. Particle accelerators
Particle accelerators are on everyone's mind thanks to the Large Hadron Collider operated by CERN. And why not? We hear they're trying to create miniature black holes and such (well, if they ever get it working). Even though scientists everywhere have discounted the possibility of those black holes being dangerous, there's no question that the energies these accelerators unleash are vast. They're designed to probe the most basic elements of creation — it's not inconceivable that they might find something unexpected. And potentially devastating.
6. Nanotechnology
Ever heard of a "gray goo" attack? If you've read Prey by Michael Crichton, then you're in the know: it's a swarm of nanobots that roam around and deconstruct everything down to a molecular level, turning it into sludge. Crichton's nanobots were actively homicidal, though even a "dumb" swarm could accomplish the same. We're nowhere near worrying about this yet, but nanotechnology is growing in leaps and bounds, so who knows?
BONUS: Whatever they've got in Area 51
Truth is, Area 51 is probably nowhere near as fascinating as we all give it credit for — and yet, it inspires awe in almost everyone and hysteria in some. It's representative of why some folks wear proverbial tin hats. Still, whatever it's hiding, it hasn't managed to ruin everything. No aliens flying forth to take over the world. No zombies spilling out of it. No spiderpigs. Well, yet.
Know of another way technology could bring about doomsday? Sound off in the comments below!
By Carpe at 1:26 PM ON 11/13/09
Yeah, but what if a particle accelerator discovers the Higgs Boson, which leads to new concepts in physics, which leads to reactivating the flying saucer at Area 51, which leads to alien robots invading earth and using nanotech to genetically alter enslaved humanity to be better workers, and all they feed them is biotech corn, which leads to a human revolt, which leads to a nuke attack on the alien robots, which ends up leaving the Earth as a burned out cinder. What about that?!
By Seanbtwo at 1:46 PM ON 11/13/09
You forgot the most obvious one!
Robot Zombies!!!
I hate robot zombies.
By magnus at 1:59 PM ON 11/13/09
although it probably will be humans ending the world (human race), by whatever means, the world (earth) will still be here after.
By Steppedonanother at 2:11 PM ON 11/13/09
Alien zombie nanobots from Hell!
By Klaatu at 2:13 PM ON 11/13/09
@ Carpe: If anything like that should happen you must go to Gort! Then say these three words "Klaatu, barada nikto", you must remember those words.....
By Carpe at 2:49 PM ON 11/13/09
@Klaatu
;-)
By Ondego at 2:57 PM ON 11/13/09
Ok, in all this aliens are out to get us, one things puzzles me. If they're sophisicated enough to get here, they wouldn't need to enslave as they have the tech to do pretty much anything they want. So, the aliens are either here to say "hello", possibly use the human race as marionettes, or they need our resources in which case they could even use our neutron bomb tech to get rid of us
By Carpe at 3:04 PM ON 11/13/09
@Ondego
My post is actually the plot to James Cameron's next movie, so it doesn't have to make sense.
By jolinar at 3:38 PM ON 11/13/09
Anybody ever see 'Odyssey 5' on Showtime back in 2002-03, starring Peter Weller; the show ran for 2 seasons, it was supposed to run 5 seasons, but it was canceled. According to the show, the world was supposed to end 2 years ago in 2007.
By james at 3:50 PM ON 11/13/09
How could you forget supercomputers? SkyNet (the computer behind the Terminators), Collosus, the Wargames computer, to name a few.
By tcodee at 5:01 PM ON 11/13/09
When did you start copying cracked.com?
By Omen at 5:03 PM ON 11/13/09
Well thanks for ruining the weekend;)
By korbermeister at 8:34 PM ON 11/13/09
" (Well, the Cylons made a serious effort, anyway.)". Umm, their 'serious effort' resulted in the death of millions in the colonies and made the colonies' planets uninhabitable. Smells like success to me!
By tb83 at 10:11 PM ON 11/13/09
Im more worred about Giant Man Eatting Spiders
By toowheelin at 10:24 PM ON 11/13/09
But if the collider manages to create a few of those black holes (which could last up to a second) and they combine then even the Earth wouldn't be left. Considering how many planets we have been finding, there must be plenty of aliens out there we could ask how they managed to survive their own technology. Hello? Aliens? Hello?
By jolinar at 10:39 PM ON 11/13/09
I just remembered something. The bad guys in 'Odyssey 5' were called Sentients, & their "host" bodies were called Synthenics (genetically engineered bodies grown in tanks). Which btw had a body temp. of between 50 & 60 degrees farenheit.
By Narwhal Burgers Are Tasty at 3:42 AM ON 11/14/09
I felt myself getting dumber while reading this article.
By MatthiasF at 4:47 AM ON 11/14/09
No mention of HELA cells turning us all into zombies? (Wiki it and learn about a true horror waiting in the shadows)
Sci-fi's posts about doomsday scenarios are a lot like your made-for-TV disaster movies.
Cheesy, poorly written, under researched and incredibly lame.
By Traveler at 12:22 PM ON 11/14/09
" Nanotechnology " is NOT scary. The term "gray goo" on the other hand is nauseating as it's only purpose is to scare the public.
By porlockgirl at 2:50 PM ON 11/14/09
I believe the end will come through online gaming, blogging and forum participation.
One poor guy sat at his PC playing an online game (probably WoWC) forgot to eat or drink and died in the middle of a battle. True story.
It's our mentality that will see us off.
By Son of a Maui Portagees at 3:19 PM ON 11/14/09
@Seanbtwo once stated emphatically "I hate robot zombies."
I know what you mean. They are almost as bad as zombie robots!
By prospero at 5:09 PM ON 11/14/09
You're missing the most insidious threat of all...SYFY channel made for TV movies....ssshhhuuuddddeeerrr.
By thething at 5:29 AM ON 11/15/09
robot zombies. vely bad.
By remolay at 11:31 AM ON 11/15/09
There is nothing in Area 51. They packed up everything there and moved it to Area 52 (AKA: an undisclosed location).
By DarkAvatar at 2:31 PM ON 11/15/09
What about Cyborg Zombies???!!!
By Evilgoblin2.0 at 11:24 PM ON 11/15/09
you forgot about the T virus and G virus
Umbrella may be gone but the viruses remain.
By Hymenshaker at 7:04 AM ON 11/16/09
It's a shame that carbon fuelled machines such as power stations and cars aren't on that list.
They're going to end the human race on Earth if we're not careful.
One question however that I have is 'will we burn all the carbon based fuel before we heat the planet up too much?'
Fingers crossed we will. Because we aren't really doing to much to save us from that are we.
No agreements no surrender.
By Mycroft at 11:08 AM ON 11/16/09
I'm posting just to get the last poster's innane bable off the front page.
You too can stop CO2 production. Stop breathing.
By Skyscott at 3:27 PM ON 11/16/09
As soon as the micro black holes exit the reaction chamber, their attoms will depolarize causing a lack of cohesion which will result in a reverse cascade effect and the holes will disipate.
That is if they don't swallow us instead.
By Mr. C at 1:19 AM ON 11/19/09
I know a great way to stop gobal warming. Every human being stop breath and die. O, wait i forgot it is the sun that warms up the planet not CO2.
The sun has no sun spots which blocks solar winds. The more spots the earth gets colder just like in the little ice age. If CO2 was causing gobal warming than the atmoshpere should be the same tempture as the earth. IT's not. The scientist who say it is are using satellites which are above the earth and pointing straight down.
By Jericho at 1:04 PM ON 11/19/09
@ Mr. C
Congratulations! Your Ignorant!
YYaaaayyy!
By PeepsMcJuggs at 6:20 PM ON 11/19/09
Mr. C, to quote Billy Madison:
"What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
By PeepsMcJuggs at 6:23 PM ON 11/19/09
Mr. C, to quote BIlly Madison:
"What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
Oh, and Jericho, it's "you're", not "your". Third grade English, dude.
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
PeepsMcJuggs:
Mr. C, to quote BIlly Madison: "What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard....More »