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Statements posted on this blog represent the views of individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Center for Law Science & Innovation (which does not take positions on policy issues) or of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law or Arizona State University.

Tuesday Triple Trivia Tease for September 16, 2014

3 Questions. 3 Hints. 3 Answers.  Every Tuesday.

1. Forget upgrading to the iPhone 6.  Save your bucks and you might be part of the elite few eligible for this type of upgrade…

Hint:

Answer: the argument that upgrades, generally, are only available to the economically privileged is not new, however, could the gap be widening even more?  According to some experts, we may soon be witness to the performance evolution revolution, that enhances, rather than corrects, human functions.  A few years ago, many people turned to elective plastic surgery procedures simply to enhance their natural appearance (this category is distinguished from trauma-related or medically-advised plastic surgeries).  These folks had the discretionary funds to pay a surgeon to nip, tuck or insert the desired, yet medically unnecessary, effect.  Now we may be on the cusp of an era when some upgraded individuals (the wealthy) will be “biologically better than the rest” (the poor).  However, not all agree that such opportunities will further contribute to a social split, and claim that biological enhancements will be culture-driven rather than independently & financially driven.  Read the details here.

2. How many smart devices will be in homes by 2022?

Hint: think of a standard stock market index…

Answer: it’s yet another revolution: the estimate is that seven to eight years from now, the typical home may contain 500 or so smart devices.  It’s all about connections between just about everything, from the smallest gadget & product to the largest.  So, your future fridge will likely be able to connect to your mobile phone to perhaps tell you it is running low on milk.  No more 3M post-it notes necessary.   Read more about companies & products involved in the “Internet of Things” here.

3. Technology seems to be in charge just about everywhere.  However, one recent and ongoing catastrophe is proving to the world that, in this particular forum, Mother Nature is in full charge…

Hint:

Answer: the Ebola virus has shown it is a force to be reckoned with and, so far, it is winning the battle.  Given the number of cases, it has the potential to spread to other continents and even worse, mutate in such a fashion that it becomes transmissible through air (as has been shown to occur between pigs & monkeys).  It is suggested we need an immediate  “take charge” entity, namely, the United Nations to step up and manage the Ebola crisis.  Read about proposed management strategies and why waiting for R&D of effective drug therapies is not the answer at this moment here.