The+Specials

1) The scientific advancement I researched was hover boards. It is very similar to a skateboard, or a snowboard however it hovers using to large fans and magnetism. 2) I researched articles that would relate to the technological advance, hover boards mentioned in the novel, __Specials__ by Scott Westerfeld, and came to the conclusion that we are still in the early stages of creating one ourselves. We are very far from actually being able to use hover boards for transportation means however we’ve just about mastered the basic principle of hovering. As it is mentioned in several of the articles I’ve cited, today’s scientists use electromagnets to create a field in which a board may hover. A French artist, Nils Guadagin used the same aspect of electromagnetism to create a hover board but, it cannot support weight. As a result, it is exceptionally useless. In another experiment called “Magsurf” students were given a chance to actually ride a hover board. This hover board was in fact able to support weight but, it needed a magnetic rail for it to essentially move around and only hovered a few inches from the ground. Another negative aspect of this hover board is the necessity for freezing-cold liquid nitrogen to create a superconductor making it so that if the hover board is at room temperature it will not function. Lastly, in many countries they have begun using a train called “MagLev” that again uses electromagnetism to function. It simply glides over the magnetic rails and is a very efficient mean of transportation. Although this isn’t quite a hover board it is loosely related and I thought that it was very admirable in the fact that it actually works and works almost the same as a real train. Clearly, once we can find a way out of these simple stages of progress the hover board may become a daily part of our lives. 3)This sort of advancement however, isn’t flawless. There are many pros and cons to consider before this takes the place of our current transportation. One pro would be that it does not harm our environment. We can use hover boards without having to worry about continually causing more holes in our already porous ozone layer. Another pro would be that it is economical. Hover boards don’t need gas like a car would because in the novel it is said that hover boards are solar powered which would save people thousands if not more every year. However, despite all, hover boards have many defecits as well. To start off, the constant need for a magnet makes it impossible to travel to places that are not abundant in such. Another con is that it’s dangerous. Hover boards don’t come with seatbelts or air bags and if someone falls or gets into an accident, they are pretty much done for. And lastly, perhaps the most important to some, is the fact that even though you will save money by not needing to buy gas, an advancement such as a hover board will not be cheap to begin with. I doubt that a hover board will be less than a few thousand dollars and at the moment it cannot fit more than one person. A family of say five people will need many to accommodate their needs. In conclusion, I don’t believe that we will be seeing hover boards very soon.
 * Hina Ishaque**

1. What is the scientific advancement you researched?
====Today's technology is rapidly advancing. The effect of too much advancement is what "__Specials__" represents. Therefore, there are many advances in technology, adnd one major one is the use of a "skintenna", a device that is used to communicate with others through radio, privately. This is like "mind-speaking" ====

2. What scientific proof is there that we are currently exploring this technology?
====A scientific proof that we are exploring this technology is exemplified in the study of __neuroimaging__, which is a branch of medical imaging which focuses on the brain. This is only the study of the brain therefore there are only a few advancements that would be able to produce this type of technology. Of course, we are able to communicate through radios and walky-talkies, but while using these gadgets, ones conversations are public. Mind telepathy is a huge aspet of this invention, and a psycologist named Digby Tantum believes that telepathy is possible (psycologically of course). He explains in an article that we use telepathy all the time, for example when we can understand facial expressions. However, what Mr.Tantum explains is personal, whereas Skintennas are for communicating with distance. This is about the extent in our capability of using a "skintenna". Skintennas are like communication devices for the mind, where a person is sent a message based on what you are thinking. I believe it may be quite impossible to ever be able to reach the extent where there is mind-reading. Therefore, I think that this advancement needs much more reasearch and improvement to truly be a possiblility in our society today. ==== ====3. If we achieved this advancement to the extent it was achieved in the novel, what would be the benefits and what would be the deficits? ==== ====If skintennas were achieved to the same level they are in "__Specials__", there would be many pro's and cons to our society. One advancement would be a benefit to society would be that we wouldn't have to carry around a cell phone or use a telephone. You wouldn't have to worry about people evesdropping on your conversations, since you are speaking mentally. A disadvantage would be that since there is always a possibility to communicate with others, there would be no excitement when seeing a person, or visiting a person. Skintennas could create a wonderful society, or they could severly detriment it. ====

~MIRANDA ENGHOLM