SERIOUS WONDER | Monday Marvels: Top 5 Wonders for Oct. 22-28

Monday Marvels: Top 5 Wonders for Oct. 22-28

1.) New DARPA Challenge

DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Project Agency) recently announced a new challenge with a grand prize of 2 million dollars to whoever can develop a “fully automated cyber defense system” that doesn’t require human intervention. The government is eager to have an automated solution to aid struggling IT security analysts with the growing number of cyber-attacks. The finalists will publicly face off in 2016 where they will attempt to penetrate opposing networks while still defending their own. More details surrounding the competition will follow in the coming months.

[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”1484123336″ locale=”us” height=”100″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ex5VGCcoL._SL110_.jpg” width=100″]2.) A Future Without Car Accidents

Futuristic movies have long shown unmanned vehicles revolutionizing transportation and providing safer passage from one destination to another. Yet in the year 2013, we are closer than ever to making that a reality; and self-driving cars are proving to not only be more cost effective, but are predicted to reduce injuries by 90%. Automobile crashes are nearly always linked to driver error; hence with that eradicated, the roads will already be a safer place. Google, Mercedes, Nissan and Toyota are working tirelessly to make this a reality despite the lack of regulations and expensive parts. A real transportation revolution is just around the next street corner.

3.) Is Google Creating a Floating City?

A few weeks ago we mentioned a soon-to-be-built floating apartment complex, but this might just blow that story out of the water. Google must have some WALL-E fans, because the large corporation has been building a secret something off the coast of San Francisco using the company name “Buy N Large” the same from the movie for those who remember. Could Google be creating giant WALL-E like robots? Or is a floating city more likely? Or perhaps a floating city with robots devoted to technology, like the one from the book “The Transhumanist Wager”? Only time will tell, and there has been very little coverage on this story. Nevertheless, don’t be surprised if someday you see headlines for the “first-ever floating city by Google”.

[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B007N9217Q” locale=”us” height=”100″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41zsWIAGO3L._SL110_.jpg” width=”100″]4.) The Latest in Revolutionary Gaming: Sim Cell

Whether you just wanted to experience the newest release in Sim gaming or you have always wanted to explore the inner workings of the human cell, Sim Cell is for you. Through controlling a nanobot, you are charged with the task of protecting and repairing from inside the cell. Such a game could signify the beginning of education reform, in this case transforming how students learn about cellular biology. Games have the capacity to prompt affinities in our youth like never before, and with more academic subjects likely to follow suit, such games could revolutionize learning. Regardless of your desire to acquire knowledge, if you want to play Sim Cell, you will inevitably begin learning cellular biology to get to the next level. Watch the video here.

5.) Smoking a Joint Might Kill Your Cancer

That’s right; more doctors might be telling cancer patients to light up after recent studies from the United Kingdom. Advocates for marijuana have long touted the plant’s medicinal qualities, but seemingly more studies are surfacing that are proving them to be accurate. Published in the Anticancer Research Journal, a scientist has recently discovered that certain compounds found in marijuana can essential kill leukemia cells (a common and deadly cancer). In short, the cannabinoids found in marijuana have multi-faceted uses and contain ‘therapeutic qualities’ that essentially discourage cancer cells from growing. There are still many concerns in using cannabis to treat cancer, and at best it will be used in conjunction with chemotherapy in the future. However, with such promising effects, there is no telling what the future might hold for marijuana and cancer patients.

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Image Source: Flickr

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October 28, 2013 By Stephany Novak

About the author

Stephany, also know as "The Techno Chic" is a Futurist, Philosopher, Singer, and Journalist. She is currently working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Arizona State University and enjoys long walks on the beach and holding hands.