Technology isn’t just changing society — it’s changing what it means to be human

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Is there something unusual about the pace and nature of technological change today? Should we be more worried about the world we’re creating?

Michael Bess is a historian of science at Vanderbilt University and the author of Our Grandchildren Redesigned: Life in a Bioengineered Society. His book offers a sweeping look at our genetically modified future, a future as terrifying as it is promising. But he’s also someone who thinks a lot about the broader relationship between technology and society.

Continue reading… “Technology isn’t just changing society — it’s changing what it means to be human”

6 Technologies That Haven’t Ended The Human Race… Yet

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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. (Pics)

 

Continue reading… “6 Technologies That Haven’t Ended The Human Race… Yet”

Designer Gas Masks So You Can Face the Apocalypse in Style

Designer Gas Masks So You Can Face the Apocalypse in Style

If you’re like me you get frustrated by the fact that all gas masks tend to look alike – standard military issue chemical warfare prevention stuff. Well, you can start to breath a little easier (even if it’s through a mask) because famed designer, Diddo Velema, has gone out of his way to make gas mask wearing not only fashionable, but the hot new thing for going out on the town.

Diddo Velema’s gas masks were part of the Luxury Show 2008 in Bucharest, Romania, and you probably can’t get your hands on one unless you are very, very rich.

Check out other designs after the jump. Continue reading… “Designer Gas Masks So You Can Face the Apocalypse in Style”