Much can be achieved via CD ROM, particularly in areas which often require a three or four day journey to reach the nearest access to electronic communications. There is a need to create a web of low trajectory satellites in order to afford such communication in remote areas. Medical and ethical. What are the barriers to this world. The world is at a crossroads and, if we are to avoid the catastrophe of a few reaping the gains of modern technology at the cost of marginalisation of the majority we will be putting in danger our very existence.
Control mechanisms have to be devised in order to avert individual greed.
Achieving this will surely see medical science creating solutions to global illnesses such as Aids and Cancer, not to mention the food industry producing enough to feed the worlds populations. In saying this I am not turning my back on the need to control the population of the world beyond that which is reasonably sustainable economically. Conversely, there is inherent in the last statement a curious degree of synergy, for without doubt the technologies of the next century will allow such breakthroughs in medical science, the ability to produce genetically modified food, and a means to empower people with disabilities will not be beyond mans ability. I doubt it, more likely these concepts will appeal to man's greed. I would therefore suggest that altruistically technology should focus on providing medical and technical solutions which, will prevent killing diseases, assist to utilise the vast areas of the world such as deserts and oceans and, create the means to impart knowledge which will bring about ethical and equitable global structure.