Most predictions of future technology fail because they extrapolate from current tech – because they can’t imagine what hasn’t been invented yet. Most contemporary predictions of the future are based on advancing electronics. Innovations are happening with photons that will allow new ways to compute, in packages that don’t have the same limitations inherent in electricity, all of which will require new mindsets and create new opportunities. Photonic decision devices have now been created that use variable polarization of light to test logic choices. Rather than just using 1s and 0s, variable polarization allows more nuanced responses. There are no practical applications yet, but the technology is relatively young.
(Click on the diagram for the link.)
“First Demonstration Of Photonic Intelligence” – MIT Technology Review
Pretending Not To Panic 