Convergence Platforms: Human-Scale Convergence And The Quality Of Life

M.C. Roco et al. (eds.), Convergence of Knowledge, Technology and Society: Beyond Convergence of Nano-Bio-Info-Cognitive Technologies, Science Policy Reports, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-02204-8_2, © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2013 The greatest benefi ts to human knowledge and well-being will come from convergence of all fi elds of science, with nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science (NBIC) being the core foundational quartet of fi elds drawing all the others together. But at particular points in time, one fi eld may be having disproportionate impacts on society, even as the others are gathering strength through fundamental scientifi c research. The NBIC fi eld experiencing the most rapid application changes and having the most potential for continued change in its direct effects on human lives in the coming decade appears to be information Chapter 2 Convergence Platforms: Human-Scale Convergence and the Quality of Life