Historian of the future, Charles Ostman discussed nanotechnology, AI and other breakthrough concepts. Among the latest innovations he mentioned are "nano barcodes," in which a product can be sprinkled with tracking devices on a molecular scale. Video games, he said, are moving towards a completely immersive environment and will eventually have a "neurological interface."

Ostman declared that we are nearing an "evolutionary event horizon" in which the complexity of these converging technologies may be exceeding human capacity. And yet he hopes that such advances can assist in solving our most vexing issue, the energy problem. Rather than coming from one alternative such as hydrogen, he suggested that a mixture of options that can be localized will be the ultimate solution.

The phrase A.I. (artificial intelligence) is somewhat of a misnomer, Ostman said, and A.L. (artificial life) might actually be a more accurate term. "We're going to see the pathway to sentience," with machines that can learn on their own. This trend of "evolutionary computing" in which organic molecules are incorporated into cyborgs will lead to a kind of "synthetic sentience," he forecasted. For more, check out related images Ostman sent us.

Robert Sarmast & Atlantis

First half-hour guest, researcher Robert Sarmast offered details of what he feels certain is the discovery of Atlantis. The location, a hill in an underwater bed midway between the coasts of Cyprus and Syria, contains "straight walls that pop out of nowhere," he said. Sarmast believes the submerged location is 10,000 years old or possibly even much older. For more info, see this article.

Prediction Update

Intuitive Sean David Morton appeared during Monday's second half-hour to check-in on his correct prediction that Condoleezza Rice will become Sec. of State after Colin Powell's resignation. In explaining his prognostication method, he said in a way he is able to become well known figures. He then looks into their minds and views where they'll go down the timestream.