World Enough and Time

Responsible people would be a good thing to have in any age. Perhaps... some sort of organized teleportation, where people couldn't just turn up somewhere randomly?

From:

51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com

In (I believe more than one) Heinlein novel, there's a bit of technology called a Beanstalk, which is something like a peashooter for people. Shoots you up in space, brings you down in your capsule with the rest of your traveling party in the right spot. I think it's rockety-doable!

On my list I'd have replicators (which would remove the need for shopping or currency - "hey, I need socks and some bagels. Oh, there, made some.") and a holodeck. For obvious reasons.

From:

I like the sound of the beanstalk!

Yeah, replicators would be nice. Especially for consumables.

From:

duncanmac.livejournal.com

The idea of being able to teleport anywhere one wanted would mangle a lot of things society takes for granted -- such as privacy.

As for a cure for the common cold, I thought a partial solution (i.e. a vaccine for same) was already on the market?

From:

The idea of being able to teleport anywhere one wanted would mangle a lot of things society takes for granted -- such as privacy.

I don't see that it would be any different than now. We can, within physical limits, walk here we want or drive or fly where we want - but laws of private property, privacy in general, and trespassing prevent this from being abused. It would be the same thing. Moreover, there could be the teleporting equivalent of locked doors and places people couldn't go. The technology would be different, the social parameters would be the same.

Marion Zimmer Bradley had planets set up with stations like phone booths - you go in, you come out somewhere else. I like that idea.

As for a cure for the common cold, I thought a partial solution (i.e. a vaccine for same) was already on the market?

I've yet to hear of something that works effectively. Too many strains. They've had better luck with flu vaccines.

From:

duncanmac.livejournal.com

planets set up with stations like phone booths

The oldest story I've seen with this device [IIRC] was John Campbell's short story "Twilight" (written under the nom de plume of Don A. Stuart).

As for "universal translation," I think that will prove a *far* harder task than most of the other ones listed here. We are having trouble translating between unrelated (and sometimes obscure) human languages. Translating to and from an alien language, where assumptions (biological and otherwise) that have always held for humans simply do not apply, may prove to be an almost insurmountable task. [I'm surprised the translators in Star Trek (TOS) did not have a nervous breakdown during Spock's "Amok Time."]

From:

As for "universal translation," I think that will prove a *far* harder task than most of the other ones listed here. We are having trouble translating between unrelated (and sometimes obscure) human languages.

Sure. Always a problem. But historically speaking, this usually just means we aren't looking in the right place for the answers. We can't speak any alien languages now - including things like Budgie and Whale, and we can only speak chimp because Chimps are smart enough to learn human English sign language sometimes.

Barriers fall. It may take a long time. It may had a solution we never expected.

From:

gypsylady.livejournal.com

I think you have a better chance at finding a Jack Harkness than a cure for the common cold. LOL!

From:

Well... it would be nice compensation, anyway!

From:

A universal translator.

Even at the price of putting a fish in your ear? *g*

Instantaneous travel is the one I'd really really like. I could pop over for tea with you, and then we could nip back here to watch Life on the Murder Scene together on my new TV. *sigh* If only!

From:

Even at the price of putting a fish in your ear? *g*

No fish anywhere near my ears, thank you! I want one of those nice clean dry translators, maybe a psychic thing like the TARDIS. Nothing squirmy and scaly. Fish are meant to be served with chips. Really!

Instantaneous travel is the one I'd really really like.

Yes!

I could pop over for tea with you, and then we could nip back here to watch Life on the Murder Scene together on my new TV. *sigh* If only!

Wouldn't that be great? We could drop off in Italy for a pizza on the way, and drink Lady Grey Tea and if I wanted to pick up something from my place, I could do it.

And the Great Ottawa Bus Strike would be no trouble at all. Not to mention the winter weather.

From:

Teleportation is not without its dangers, though:

(http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v493/rosiespark/?action=view&current=bunnyteleport1.jpg)

(http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v493/rosiespark/?action=view&current=bunnyteleport2.jpg)

From:

LOL! We need signs saying "Mind the line!"

From:

As in "Mind the Gap", yes. :)

The bisected bunny was no accident (http://www.jimmyr.com/blog/Bunny_Suicide_Comic_Pics_226_2007.php), though.

From:

Those are absurdly hilarious. I don't know which is my favourite - Sarah Connor? Noah's Ark? Fatal Attraction?

From:

I am ridiculously fond of the bunny on the seesaw being extruded through the holes in a colander with the help of a bowling ball. *g*

From:

I like the way the whole thing builds to get funnier and funnier. I'm not sure how it does that, but it does.

From:

I want the world to be like the 51st century as well.

I also would love a real sonic screwdriver.

From:

A sonic screwdriver would be wonderful!

Or even Sarah Jane's sonic lipstick, which always makes me laugh.

From:

She has sonic lipstick?

From:

Yes, instead of a sonic screwdriver. Carries it around in her handbag. Very handy.

From:

oh and also a vortex manipulator

From:

Yes. The Doctor may think they're substandard, but I think it would be very handy. I wouldn't say no to one!

From:

Though a Tardis is just a little bit cooler.

From:

A TARDIS is as cool as it gets. There's nothing better than a TARDIS. Bigger on the inside than the outside, and always stylish.

From:

mad-jaks.livejournal.com

YES on number 1 especially :D

From:

YES on number 1 especially :D

He doesn't even have to be gift-wrapped. Really.

From:

walkingowl.livejournal.com

I would say that a universal translator is the most unlikely/impossible of your list. It will remain so until human beings communicate by words alone. And until the majority of human beings use their spoken words TO communicate the meaning that those words contain, and not other, "understood" meanings.

From:

The question didn't ask which wishes were plausible, just which ones I'd like. I don't give up on anything!

From:

walkingowl.livejournal.com

I give you that. Personally, I don't think I'd like a universal translator. It would be far too easy for us all to then take only what it gives us as the full gist of the communication, instead of keeping in mind that there is always more than just a linear rendering... or, if you will, more than just a poetic/metaphorical rendering.

Know what I have problems with too often to mention? When I verbally interact with someone who's neruotypical, without warning that person will suddenly take something metaphorical I've said as literally meant. And the other way around, too. I'm becoming more and more convinced that a lot of this is because people operate in large part by perceiving other people's energy, on the intuitive and very nonverbal level, and my energy clashes both with theirs and with what they are expecting to perceive, and it can throw them off totally, so that instead of reacting to the statements as they would if talking with another neurotypical person, they pause themselves within the conversational flow (which comes apart if interrupted in this way -- that'll be a chapter on its own!) and -- forgive me -- think too much [g].

It is all quite fascinating to observe, but also very frustrating to have to deal with, especially right there in the moment that it's happening.

From:

mmegaera.livejournal.com

You forgot uterine replicators [g]. Or maybe you didn't...

From: