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opport[w86,jmc]		Identifying the important technological opportunities

	The criteria for an important technological opportunity
is that it make a substantial difference, e.g. be not too less
useful than the telephone, and that it be potentially feasible
with a technology based on today's science.

	Here are some that I can presently identify.

	1. Automatic delivery.  This is especially important
for people who don't have the time or the transportation for
convenient shopping.

	2. Computer controlled car (not immediately feasible).

	3. Earlids + personal telephone.

	4. Drastically reduced cost of construction.  Both in
money and in bother.  People could then rebuild their homes
rather freely.

	5. Robot servant (not immediately feasible).

	6. Home access to national library and new publication system.

	7. Increased right of initiative via computer assisted reasoning
	(not immediately feasible).

	8. Robot baby care.

	9. Registered property and the elimination of cash.
	(requires little new technology).

	10. Automated design and construction aids for cars, gadgets
and even houses.  The goal is to make a large increase in what it
is feasible for one man to do.

It should be noted that there are important limitations on what
technology can contribute to human happiness, although, to my
knowledge, no-one has given a balanced picture of what these
limitations may be.