The world is moving so fast it soon won't be recognizable
in the way we know it. A British scientist, Kevin Warwick,
recently implanted a silicon chip in his own arm that opens
doors, switches on lights and his computer. American doctors
at Emory University have implanted a microchip in a stroke
victim's brain that lets him move a cursor on a computer screen
just by thinking about it. The cyber-future is here, and don't
be surprised if trendy A-listers are the first to get in line
for the ultimate implant.
Just think. With chips (rather than rocks) in the head, a
thought could be transmitted immediately if not sooner into
action. The Rich & Glitzy would show up at 10 parties
at once. Type A-list honchos could transact business from
bed or potty in a flash. In other words, whenever Ron Perelman
dreams up a scheme, the thought would instantly be a done
dealwithout haggling or heartburn. And heart attacks
will be finito because the world will finally get in sync
with nonstop movers and shakers. Peggy Siegel could wish herself
into any party, and Richard Johnson could finally scoop up
all the dirt he craves by reading everyone's mind.
And talk about wirelesswith microchips in the brain,
cell phones will be history. (For those who already experience
ringing in the ear, it opens up a whole new body communications
system.) Frantic A-listers could receive and return 10 calls
at once
though you may not be able tell apart those
who already talk to themselves from those who have a call
coming in
but then again, what's the difference? Jet-setters
who need to babble in a dozen languages might have a special
chip inserted that lets them automatically speak the tongue
of whatever country they're partying in that day. And forgetful
socialites with so many lunches, fashion shows, and galas
vying for their attendance need only install more RAM to increase
memory, hit every benefitand eradicate Alzheimer's forever!
Of course, microchips aren't the only future implants of choice.
Researchers everywhere are trying to grow replaceable body
parts in labs. That means Hollywood beauties won't have to
worry about facelift head transplants, anyone? (Get
in line behind the "Bride of Wildenstein.") And other cyber-wonders
are in the works. Pregnant women will no longer look like
oversized kangaroos when carrying a baby in the womb is a
thing of the pastthe petri dish will be where it's at.
And what about DNA transplants? For example, if my deceased
mother's DNA were transplanted into my daughter, she could
give birth to her grandmother, and I could complete my relationship
with my mother!
A-listers with servants (and who among them doesn't have a
stable?) should be thrilled that Japanese scientists have
now created robots that walk, talk and dance (they claim robots
will surpass human intelligence in 50 years). What Hamptons
hostess wouldn't give her right arm to have a staff of robots
serving and cleaning up at her private dinner party? (Robots
don't pocket the silver or ask for raises
. but in time
will they???) As robots become more human and humans become
more "robotized," the inevitable result is a "Hum-Bot." Now
with Hum-Bots you'll never have to deal with an outsized ego
againjust think, dinner table seatings won't cause problems
ever again. And women will definitely become less dependent
on men. Sex will be merely a matter of "plugging in" either
with your robotized mate or the right computer program. The
only downside is, it could be uncomfortable sleeping in a
battery charger. But what's a little discomfort compared to
a future of endless possibilities? Or, is this Big Bro's hidden
agenda to control us?
Of course, all this is about life on Earth. With the discovery
of water on Mars, high society may soon abandon the Hamptons
and flock to the Red Planet, where beaches are less crowded
and beachfront property a steal compared to Sagaponack. And
you won't have to schlep for hours on the LIE to get there!
Enjoy The Sheet!
Joan
Jedell appears on national and local tv and radio. Her photographs
are syndicated worldwide. |