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I think, assuming I had adequate power generations to power them (I'll just pretend they can't be used for anything but their dedicated purpose) I would go with shields. Couple of things... could make my country basically invincible, or at least almost impossible to successfully attack. Could block transporters if someone else took that and decided to attack me. Could protect important cities or areas from intense weather. Could be used to block or contain radiation around nuclear plants or meltdowns, etc.

Perhaps not a glamorous tech, but one you could nearly always dig up a use for. And their defensive nature sorta suits me because unlike some of the other techs, it would be hard to claim a direct offensive application as a pretext for others to feel threatened by it, and even if they did..... they couldn't attack in a conventional manner.

These days shields wouldn't be that big a deal in some ways... wouldn't have helped much on 911 for instance.

Me, I'd go with replicators. They aren't sexy like phasers or transporters, but they would utterly revolutionise the world in so many ways. An end to world hunger. A virtual end to want. Not an end to all war, perhaps, but certainly a vast reduction in war. Potentially an end to the entire capitalist system, or at least a total sea change in how it operates.

It would be the biggest revolution in how people live in the whole of history.

Potentially an end to the entire capitalist system, or at least a total sea change in how it operates.

Ah but that would casue chaos.

The collapse of the stock market and money systems world wide when they realise nothing has value anymore since it can be made in a second by anyone.

It would be another great depression.

I can think of a small number of things a "depression" brought about by replicator technology might hurt. But depressions often are exacerbated and perpetuated by people hoarding, out of fear. Who cares if the rich people and corporations hoard their assets, why do you need them to open another child labor Nike sweatshop when you can produce all your necessities for free?

I know that's kind of a glib response, but I think a lot of what makes the current capitalist economy tick would be made obsolete by replicators. Yes of course it would cause a huge disturbance while the market reacted (or collapsed..) but since even a collapse of the economic system wouldn't stop the replicators from making food, clothing and essentials, most of the negative effects would be moot. At least the serious life and death effects would be moot.

I imagine you'd see a lot of stockbrokers and CEOs leaping from rooftops, personally.

" My life was useless. Maybe I should've devoted myself to higher pursuits than greed itself; I never did learn to play the cello..."

Splat.

I somehow can't envision that my life would have been more meaningful than it is if I had learned to play the cello.

Mikey wrote:I somehow can't envision that my life would have been more meaningful than it is if I had learned to play the cello.

That's cause we live in a society which defines merit almost exclusively through financial success. Take that out of the equation and the people who have sacrificed happiness, self-respect, family and marriage for their careers would be rather maladjusted and disillusioned.

Some people are content to die poor as visionaries, artists, or pure knowledge scholars who leave some form of lasting imprint on us. They're a tiny minority.

But why is playing an instrument meaningful? Or painting a picture? How do these arts have such a high place in society?

No, you misunderstand me. I understand perfectly well the importance of self-improvement, expression, erudition, and all that - I meant the cello specifically, as opposed to any other musical instrument. It was a joke, you see. Believe me, I don't need any particular lectures on the failings of modern society or the evils of human nature, but thank you.

Mikey wrote:No, you misunderstand me. I understand perfectly well the importance of self-improvement, expression, erudition, and all that - I meant the cello specifically, as opposed to any other musical instrument. It was a joke, you see. Believe me, I don't need any particular lectures on the failings of modern society or the evils of human nature, but thank you.

The tuba, then?

I'd prefer the marching tuba (aka sousaphone,) but I believe they are played in a similar manner. Now THAT'S living a life of spiritual fulfillment!

You know size isnt everything. Play the Kazzo.

You see, I've always dreamt of doing a tuba roll.

Quick question: we seem to be assuming that we have plenty of antimatter to power our M/ARA. What if antimatter generation is considered a separate technology?

Dusk said we get the stuff to make it work.