Quote Originally Posted by boost
ah, ok that makes sense so speaking of star trek getting it right, when do you think we'll have a working holodeck?
Probably before 2100. It pretty much boils down to our ability to engineer a quantum processor/manipulator, but we're kinda sorta working on that now.

We're working on shit like teleportation, quantum computers, virtual reality as we speak.

I predict that by 2100 we will be disease and aging free due to genetic manipulation (we could actually see this before mid-century), we will have quantum machines like microwaves that manipulate quantum particles to create pretty much anything, and virtual reality brain chip cyborg hybridization in ways that we cannot imagine. Could be things like experiencing the world based on our own preferences (like how our computers have 'preferences'), our brains will be networked in a super advanced internet that proliferates every aspect of our world (like you could drive your car just by thinking), and virtual reality will be indistinguishable from reality and if you wanna live your recreational life feeling like you actually are Zorthon the Conquerer in World of Warcraft 20, you can.

I suspect that the future sees the hybridization of wealthy humans and machines into interconnected cyborgs experiencing sensation and adventure on a whim, and Africa will still be starving by the hundreds of millions

edit: I for some reason just actually thought briefly about how it would be accomplished. Then I came to this question: Wouldn't it simply be easier to some how interface with the brain to simulate the input from our senses, rather than some how create malleable holograms? (like the matrix)

Further edit: Would I ever want to leave that world? Would it be similar to the difference between a meaningful relationship and paying for a hooker?
Exactly. I saw the edit before I typed up my post

Your sentiment is astute since that's the way scientists are looking at it currently. Virtual reality is being worked on on the small scale i.e. brain chips. Eventually I think that wealthy sectors of society will be completely interconnected in virtual reality. And no, I doubt we would ever want to leave. We would have to, but after time went by we would gradually be able to attend to our affairs in a virtual world anyways. Just think of the internet. Exactly like that, but super advanced and proliferate into every aspect of reality.

The quantum processor I mentioned had to do with a machine that can manipulate quantum particles and create anything. This is different than virtual reality, but it's solid theory, and holodeckish.

As far as how real would it be, I have no clue. I have thought of this before, and have figured I can't figure it. Like think of getting a back massage: how does that fit into virtual reality? We could definitely feel like we're getting a massage, but our actual body will not be getting that massage. I think that nobody actually knows the answer to this question, and we're just going to have to find out.