Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:02,461 --> 00:00:04,880
GIORGIO A. TSOUKALOS:
Right now, we are inventing
2
00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:06,590
all these
different technologies,
3
00:00:06,590 --> 00:00:09,092
with which we could actually
make ourselves
4
00:00:09,092 --> 00:00:11,512
superhumans
with super intelligence.
5
00:00:11,512 --> 00:00:14,181
DAVID WILCOCK: The potentials
are quite extreme.
6
00:00:14,181 --> 00:00:16,850
You could eventually
have printable noses,
7
00:00:16,850 --> 00:00:18,936
ears, lungs, kidneys.
8
00:00:18,936 --> 00:00:22,314
KEVIN WARWICK:
The big question is immortality.
9
00:00:22,314 --> 00:00:25,984
Dying, is it something
we have to do?
10
00:00:25,984 --> 00:00:29,071
WILLIAM HENRY: I'm convinced
that the engineers at MIT
11
00:00:29,071 --> 00:00:31,907
are looking back into the
ancient examples of the gods.
12
00:00:33,367 --> 00:00:34,868
DAVID CHILDRESS:
You've got to wonder,
13
00:00:34,868 --> 00:00:37,955
are extraterrestrials
somehow guiding us,
14
00:00:37,955 --> 00:00:39,540
and manipulating us
15
00:00:39,540 --> 00:00:42,376
into this new future,
and this new human
16
00:00:42,376 --> 00:00:45,087
that we are destined to be?
17
00:00:45,087 --> 00:00:48,048
NARRATOR:
Since the dawn of civilization,
18
00:00:48,048 --> 00:00:52,261
mankind has credited
its origins to gods
19
00:00:52,261 --> 00:00:54,471
and other visitors
from the stars.
20
00:00:54,471 --> 00:00:57,891
What if it were true?
21
00:00:57,891 --> 00:01:00,102
Did extraterrestrial beings
22
00:01:00,102 --> 00:01:03,730
really help
to shape our history?
23
00:01:03,730 --> 00:01:07,693
And if so, might their ultimate
plan be revealed...
24
00:01:07,693 --> 00:01:11,738
with the rise
of the Next Humans?
25
00:01:11,738 --> 00:01:14,616
♪ ♪
26
00:01:44,104 --> 00:01:46,606
NARRATOR:
Mountain View, California.
27
00:01:46,606 --> 00:01:49,901
August, 1962.
28
00:01:49,901 --> 00:01:53,363
At NASA's Ames Research Center,
29
00:01:53,363 --> 00:01:57,576
the newly formed Division of
Biotechnology and Human Research
30
00:01:57,576 --> 00:02:01,705
begins a study on the
possibility of exploring space
31
00:02:01,705 --> 00:02:04,708
with technologically‐enhanced
humans,
32
00:02:04,708 --> 00:02:07,711
otherwise known as cyborgs.
33
00:02:07,711 --> 00:02:11,423
Ten months later,
they release a report
34
00:02:11,423 --> 00:02:15,927
called "The Cyborg Study:
Engineering Man for Space."
35
00:02:15,927 --> 00:02:19,890
In it, they propose that
astronauts will require
36
00:02:19,890 --> 00:02:22,434
artificial organs
and pharmaceuticals
37
00:02:22,434 --> 00:02:25,812
to survive in the harshest
environments of deep space...
38
00:02:27,314 --> 00:02:30,025
...as we explore
beyond our solar system.
39
00:02:32,986 --> 00:02:35,197
While the program
was quickly abandoned
40
00:02:35,197 --> 00:02:37,908
due to the lack
of available technology,
41
00:02:37,908 --> 00:02:42,704
it helped usher in a new era
of scientific research focused
42
00:02:42,704 --> 00:02:47,292
on augmenting the human species
into a new stage of evolution:
43
00:02:47,292 --> 00:02:49,544
the Transhuman.
44
00:02:51,755 --> 00:02:53,048
WARWICK:
Transhumanism is the use
45
00:02:53,048 --> 00:02:56,134
of technology by humans,
46
00:02:56,134 --> 00:02:59,680
to enhance the physical,
psychological,
47
00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:02,432
and most of all,
intellectual capabilities.
48
00:03:05,268 --> 00:03:09,106
We transhumanists want to use
science and technology
49
00:03:09,106 --> 00:03:12,025
to self‐direct our evolution.
50
00:03:12,025 --> 00:03:14,111
There are lots
of transhumanists now
51
00:03:14,111 --> 00:03:16,279
that don't even consider
themselves transhuman‐‐
52
00:03:16,279 --> 00:03:17,948
for example,
people who have pacemakers,
53
00:03:17,948 --> 00:03:21,702
or cochlear implants,
or hip replacements.
54
00:03:21,702 --> 00:03:23,870
These are technologies
that we're using,
55
00:03:23,870 --> 00:03:25,789
and that is beyond human.
56
00:03:27,999 --> 00:03:29,793
JONATHAN YOUNG: The idea
of their being a transhuman
57
00:03:29,793 --> 00:03:32,712
is actually a very old notion,
58
00:03:32,712 --> 00:03:35,841
and it stems from our longing
for immortality.
59
00:03:35,841 --> 00:03:38,552
so there were attempts
to extend human life.
60
00:03:40,679 --> 00:03:42,931
SCOTT: Transhumanism has been
thought of for a very long time,
61
00:03:42,931 --> 00:03:43,974
throughout mythology.
62
00:03:46,726 --> 00:03:48,937
From Gilgamesh's
search for immortality,
63
00:03:48,937 --> 00:03:51,273
to alchemy...
64
00:03:53,650 --> 00:03:56,111
...to the search
for the fountain of life.
65
00:03:56,111 --> 00:04:00,073
Really, the quest to overcome
what it means to be human,
66
00:04:00,073 --> 00:04:01,992
to see if we can live forever,
67
00:04:01,992 --> 00:04:03,827
that has been the quest
for a very long time.
68
00:04:05,662 --> 00:04:08,081
If we look,
things like prosthetics,
69
00:04:08,081 --> 00:04:10,917
which are adding bits
of technology on, in some way,
70
00:04:10,917 --> 00:04:13,837
even the Egyptians, in mummies,
71
00:04:13,837 --> 00:04:16,131
in tombs, have been found
where they've had
72
00:04:16,131 --> 00:04:18,467
a little
wooden replication of a toe.
73
00:04:18,467 --> 00:04:19,885
Where somebody
has lost their toe,
74
00:04:19,885 --> 00:04:22,429
and they've been given a...
this false toe.
75
00:04:22,429 --> 00:04:24,931
But it shows that,
thousands of years ago,
76
00:04:24,931 --> 00:04:27,684
transhumanism,
in some basic form,
77
00:04:27,684 --> 00:04:29,102
was being thought of.
78
00:04:33,398 --> 00:04:35,108
NARRATOR:
Although the notion of modifying
79
00:04:35,108 --> 00:04:36,943
the body with technology
80
00:04:36,943 --> 00:04:40,238
has been around
for thousands of years,
81
00:04:40,238 --> 00:04:43,784
transhumanists say
the 21st century
82
00:04:43,784 --> 00:04:46,953
will radically change
what it means to be a human...
83
00:04:48,789 --> 00:04:51,708
...when we begin
to genetically engineer
84
00:04:51,708 --> 00:04:54,961
an entirely
new generation of humans.
85
00:05:00,926 --> 00:05:04,429
April 22, 2015.
86
00:05:04,429 --> 00:05:06,306
Guangzhou, China.
87
00:05:08,558 --> 00:05:11,561
Geneticists
at the Sun Yat‐Sen University
88
00:05:11,561 --> 00:05:14,606
make history
as the first team in the world
89
00:05:14,606 --> 00:05:16,691
to genetically modify
a human embryo.
90
00:05:18,693 --> 00:05:23,365
Using a gene editing technique
known as CRISPR‐Cas9,
91
00:05:23,365 --> 00:05:25,992
the scientists were able
to correct the gene defect
92
00:05:25,992 --> 00:05:30,580
that causes beta‐thalassemia,
a blood disease,
93
00:05:30,580 --> 00:05:33,792
by snipping out and replacing
portions of the DNA
94
00:05:33,792 --> 00:05:35,544
in the fertilized egg.
95
00:05:40,465 --> 00:05:42,467
By using a new technology
called CRISPR,
96
00:05:42,467 --> 00:05:44,845
scientists are able to actually
cut into the DNA
97
00:05:44,845 --> 00:05:48,390
and replace parts of the DNA
98
00:05:48,390 --> 00:05:51,643
with genetically‐modified
proteins.
99
00:05:51,643 --> 00:05:54,855
This allows us to literally
transform who we are.
100
00:05:57,190 --> 00:05:59,651
WARWICK:
When we look at DNA changing,
101
00:05:59,651 --> 00:06:03,446
it can be used
not just to overcome problems,
102
00:06:03,446 --> 00:06:07,492
but to improve your looks, maybe
change the color or your hair,
103
00:06:07,492 --> 00:06:09,369
or your eyes, or perhaps
104
00:06:09,369 --> 00:06:11,830
even more importantly,
change your intellectual
105
00:06:11,830 --> 00:06:13,707
or physical abilities.
106
00:06:18,253 --> 00:06:20,755
NARRATOR: Will the
modification of human embryos
107
00:06:20,755 --> 00:06:22,424
soon lead to a wave
108
00:06:22,424 --> 00:06:25,468
of what futurists call
"designer babies,"
109
00:06:25,468 --> 00:06:28,513
children whose physical features
110
00:06:28,513 --> 00:06:30,015
and mental capabilities
111
00:06:30,015 --> 00:06:31,641
were selected by their parents.
112
00:06:33,602 --> 00:06:37,063
Many believe that not only
is this a possibility,
113
00:06:37,063 --> 00:06:38,440
but that the very definition
114
00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:41,776
of a parent
may soon change as well.
115
00:06:41,776 --> 00:06:44,362
The UK is on its way to becoming
the first country
116
00:06:44,362 --> 00:06:46,156
to legalize
the creation of babies
117
00:06:46,156 --> 00:06:48,116
from three different people.
118
00:06:48,116 --> 00:06:49,868
And a large majority
of the House of Commons
119
00:06:49,868 --> 00:06:51,661
voted in favor
of the controversial
120
00:06:51,661 --> 00:06:55,123
"Three Parent In Vitro
Fertilization," or TPIVF.
121
00:06:55,123 --> 00:06:58,752
The British government
officially declared it legal,
122
00:06:58,752 --> 00:07:01,838
so actual children
have been born
123
00:07:01,838 --> 00:07:06,176
that have DNA
from three different parents.
124
00:07:06,176 --> 00:07:09,763
I think it is quite possible,
in the future,
125
00:07:09,763 --> 00:07:11,765
that it won't be just two
126
00:07:11,765 --> 00:07:14,684
or three parents
that the child has,
127
00:07:14,684 --> 00:07:18,021
but could be any number.
128
00:07:18,021 --> 00:07:19,689
That sounds
like science fiction,
129
00:07:19,689 --> 00:07:20,982
but it's actually something
the Japanese scientists
130
00:07:20,982 --> 00:07:22,150
are working on right now.
131
00:07:22,150 --> 00:07:24,861
And what that would entail
132
00:07:24,861 --> 00:07:26,529
is using an artificial womb.
133
00:07:26,529 --> 00:07:27,530
(heart beating, baby fussing)
134
00:07:27,530 --> 00:07:28,823
Actually gestating the child
135
00:07:28,823 --> 00:07:30,575
within that artificial womb.
136
00:07:30,575 --> 00:07:33,119
Now, you can imagine,
if we can get to this stage,
137
00:07:33,119 --> 00:07:35,288
it doesn't matter
who... who the parents are.
138
00:07:35,288 --> 00:07:38,750
You could have a community
of people with the best genes
139
00:07:38,750 --> 00:07:40,794
contributing
to making that child.
140
00:07:40,794 --> 00:07:43,338
And that is really the future
that is in front of us.
141
00:07:46,549 --> 00:07:48,093
NARRATOR:
Is it possible
142
00:07:48,093 --> 00:07:50,387
we could synthetically create
human beings,
143
00:07:50,387 --> 00:07:53,056
picking and choosing
genetic traits
144
00:07:53,056 --> 00:07:56,017
from any number of donors?
145
00:07:56,017 --> 00:07:59,270
Could the characteristics
of a person
146
00:07:59,270 --> 00:08:03,233
soon be limited only
by our imaginations?
147
00:08:03,233 --> 00:08:06,736
Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
148
00:08:06,736 --> 00:08:10,615
and suggest an even more
incredible possibility:
149
00:08:10,615 --> 00:08:13,326
that we are not the first
to do this.
150
00:08:20,917 --> 00:08:22,961
Luxor, Egypt.
151
00:08:22,961 --> 00:08:27,173
Here in the Deir el‐Bahari
mortuary temple
152
00:08:27,173 --> 00:08:29,968
lies the burial chamber
of Hatshepsut,
153
00:08:29,968 --> 00:08:34,514
one of the only queens
to ever become a pharaoh.
154
00:08:34,514 --> 00:08:38,560
And on the frescoed walls
of this tomb is a scene
155
00:08:38,560 --> 00:08:40,603
portraying Hatshepsut's
conception
156
00:08:40,603 --> 00:08:42,897
at the hands of divine beings.
157
00:08:47,861 --> 00:08:50,697
On the walls of Queen
Hatshepsut's mortuary temple,
158
00:08:50,697 --> 00:08:54,743
it says... that...
a long time ago...
159
00:08:56,578 --> 00:08:59,497
...God Amon came
to Hatshepsut's mother,
160
00:08:59,497 --> 00:09:01,708
Ahmose, in her sleep,
161
00:09:01,708 --> 00:09:04,085
and with the power of God Anum,
162
00:09:04,085 --> 00:09:06,212
and with the key of ankh
in his hand,
163
00:09:06,212 --> 00:09:08,673
he created baby Hatshepsut.
164
00:09:12,010 --> 00:09:14,054
He uses the ankh...
165
00:09:15,430 --> 00:09:17,724
...that key‐shaped tool,
166
00:09:17,724 --> 00:09:20,894
to give life, to create a human.
167
00:09:23,688 --> 00:09:26,274
GIORGIO A. TSOUKALOS:
Any device that can give life
168
00:09:26,274 --> 00:09:30,278
upon something would have
to appear as magical...
169
00:09:32,155 --> 00:09:34,657
...so you have to wonder
who were these gods
170
00:09:34,657 --> 00:09:37,077
that they were talking about?
171
00:09:37,077 --> 00:09:38,453
What we have in this story
172
00:09:38,453 --> 00:09:41,414
is actually the
immaculate conception of
173
00:09:41,414 --> 00:09:45,210
Hatshepsut, and it is clear
that this is the story
174
00:09:45,210 --> 00:09:48,171
of an extraterrestrial
intervention in the creation
175
00:09:48,171 --> 00:09:50,924
of a star child, Hatshepsut.
176
00:09:50,924 --> 00:09:54,219
So, we appear to be dealing
with some sort of a technology,
177
00:09:54,219 --> 00:09:56,387
a DNA‐based technology
178
00:09:56,387 --> 00:09:59,933
that can manifest human
bodies or alter human DNA.
179
00:10:04,687 --> 00:10:07,941
NARRATOR: Could Hatshepsut have
been genetically engineered
180
00:10:07,941 --> 00:10:10,151
by otherworldly beings?
181
00:10:12,112 --> 00:10:15,949
And is it possible that
humans are just now starting
182
00:10:15,949 --> 00:10:19,244
to unlock the incredible
potential hidden within us
183
00:10:19,244 --> 00:10:22,413
by our extraterrestrial
creators,
184
00:10:22,413 --> 00:10:24,874
as ancient astronaut
theorists propose?
185
00:10:27,585 --> 00:10:31,464
Perhaps further clues can
be found in our own attempts,
186
00:10:31,464 --> 00:10:35,135
not in creating life,
but in reversing death.
187
00:10:44,185 --> 00:10:46,187
NARRATOR:
State College, Pennsylvania.
188
00:10:46,187 --> 00:10:50,400
October 15, 2015.
189
00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:54,154
Dr. Gong Chen and
a team of biologists
190
00:10:54,154 --> 00:10:56,030
from the Life
Sciences Department
191
00:10:56,030 --> 00:10:58,074
at Penn State University
192
00:10:58,074 --> 00:11:02,036
reveal research on
a cocktail of specialized drugs
193
00:11:02,036 --> 00:11:05,665
designed to convert
non‐neuronal cells in the brain,
194
00:11:05,665 --> 00:11:08,418
called glial cells,
into neurons.
195
00:11:12,046 --> 00:11:15,341
90% of our brain is made up
of what's called glial cells.
196
00:11:17,177 --> 00:11:19,387
These cells are just
a support mechanism
197
00:11:19,387 --> 00:11:21,431
for the neurons themselves.
198
00:11:21,431 --> 00:11:24,684
WARWICK:
What we can do at the moment
199
00:11:24,684 --> 00:11:28,730
is to take glial cells
from the brain
200
00:11:28,730 --> 00:11:31,065
and to use different
chemicals, essentially,
201
00:11:31,065 --> 00:11:33,735
to alter the functioning
of the glial cells.
202
00:11:33,735 --> 00:11:36,196
Chemicals will cause them
203
00:11:36,196 --> 00:11:40,283
to become fresh neurons.
204
00:11:40,283 --> 00:11:42,994
Gong Chen's belief
for this research is that
205
00:11:42,994 --> 00:11:45,330
things like severe brain trauma,
206
00:11:45,330 --> 00:11:48,791
Parkinson's disease,
and Alzheimer's could actually
207
00:11:48,791 --> 00:11:51,753
be effectively
transformed and healed.
208
00:11:56,382 --> 00:11:58,384
NARRATOR: Could degenerative
brain disorders
209
00:11:58,384 --> 00:12:00,595
like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
210
00:12:00,595 --> 00:12:03,848
be cured by a simple
chemical injection?
211
00:12:05,808 --> 00:12:08,978
And if so, could we eventually
rid the brain
212
00:12:08,978 --> 00:12:11,397
of neurological
diseases entirely?
213
00:12:13,650 --> 00:12:16,945
Transhumanists believe
the therapeutic uses
214
00:12:16,945 --> 00:12:18,905
for this incredible discovery
215
00:12:18,905 --> 00:12:21,491
are only a small part
of the bigger picture.
216
00:12:25,036 --> 00:12:28,623
In the future, we could
see using that technology
217
00:12:28,623 --> 00:12:32,252
to increase our intelligence
to a, to a superhuman state.
218
00:12:32,252 --> 00:12:36,589
Now imagine, because the brain
is only ten percent neurons,
219
00:12:36,589 --> 00:12:38,216
imagine if we could
220
00:12:38,216 --> 00:12:42,220
increase the brain's
capacity to 35%.
221
00:12:42,220 --> 00:12:44,847
That could change everything.
222
00:12:44,847 --> 00:12:47,600
I mean, we could become
a super intelligent species.
223
00:12:49,602 --> 00:12:53,439
Could you, in fact,
advance the human IQ,
224
00:12:53,439 --> 00:12:55,566
perhaps to such a degree
225
00:12:55,566 --> 00:12:57,777
that you might have
people walking around now
226
00:12:57,777 --> 00:13:01,197
with a 1,000 IQ?
227
00:13:01,197 --> 00:13:02,740
GEORGE NOORY:
We've seen what has happened
228
00:13:02,740 --> 00:13:06,828
with HGH, or steroids
pumped into athletes.
229
00:13:06,828 --> 00:13:09,998
What would happen if
you developed a serum
230
00:13:09,998 --> 00:13:12,542
that could augment the brain?
231
00:13:12,542 --> 00:13:14,127
I think we're gonna
be able to do that.
232
00:13:18,965 --> 00:13:21,092
NARRATOR:
Could Dr. Chen's research
233
00:13:21,092 --> 00:13:25,346
lead us to an exponential
increase of the human intellect?
234
00:13:25,346 --> 00:13:28,933
And if so, will we
seem like primates
235
00:13:28,933 --> 00:13:31,477
to the people of tomorrow?
236
00:13:31,477 --> 00:13:37,066
Transhumanists suggest that if
we can create new brain cells,
237
00:13:37,066 --> 00:13:40,403
we could potentially reproduce
all of the body's cells,
238
00:13:40,403 --> 00:13:42,822
which would have
profound implications.
239
00:13:46,451 --> 00:13:49,120
WARWICK:
The big question is immortality.
240
00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:53,041
Dying, is it something
we have to do?
241
00:13:53,041 --> 00:13:57,587
Cells die away, but if we can
start replacing the cells,
242
00:13:57,587 --> 00:14:00,923
and if we can
replace brain cells
243
00:14:00,923 --> 00:14:03,092
and keep the functioning
of the brain going,
244
00:14:03,092 --> 00:14:05,094
then it does, potentially,
245
00:14:05,094 --> 00:14:10,058
really extend life,
in theory, forever.
246
00:14:10,058 --> 00:14:11,726
Some people, like Ray Kurzweil,
247
00:14:11,726 --> 00:14:15,021
have suggested by 2045
we'll be able to do that.
248
00:14:17,315 --> 00:14:18,983
NARRATOR:
Ray Kurzweil
249
00:14:18,983 --> 00:14:21,360
is Google's Director
of Engineering,
250
00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:25,406
a transhumanist, prolific
author and inventor.
251
00:14:25,406 --> 00:14:28,534
He believes, in the near future,
252
00:14:28,534 --> 00:14:31,871
humans will be able to extend
their lives indefinitely.
253
00:14:33,372 --> 00:14:35,958
To reach that point,
he maintains
254
00:14:35,958 --> 00:14:38,503
a daily diet of over 100
255
00:14:38,503 --> 00:14:40,671
different body and
mind enhancing pills,
256
00:14:40,671 --> 00:14:44,092
called nootropics.
257
00:14:44,092 --> 00:14:47,470
Nootropics are essentially
drugs of one kind or another,
258
00:14:47,470 --> 00:14:50,890
chemicals if you like,
that can change the way
259
00:14:50,890 --> 00:14:52,725
most of the body functions,
260
00:14:52,725 --> 00:14:54,811
but particularly how
the brain functions.
261
00:14:57,230 --> 00:14:58,648
SCOTT:
Choline, for example,
262
00:14:58,648 --> 00:15:01,818
helps with memory, and so,
people are using
263
00:15:01,818 --> 00:15:03,986
these nootropics
to enhance their memory,
264
00:15:03,986 --> 00:15:08,533
to have better recall,
to have better focus.
265
00:15:08,533 --> 00:15:10,159
You're starting to see
nootropics pop up everywhere,
266
00:15:10,159 --> 00:15:12,120
especially in Silicon Valley.
267
00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:14,038
In the future, the idea
268
00:15:14,038 --> 00:15:16,999
of enhancing the cognitive
ability in the human being
269
00:15:16,999 --> 00:15:18,584
is going to be
sort of commonplace.
270
00:15:22,338 --> 00:15:24,423
NARRATOR:
Kurzweil and others predict
271
00:15:24,423 --> 00:15:28,761
nootropics will become a new
multi‐billion dollar industry
272
00:15:28,761 --> 00:15:32,223
as people turn to supplements
to enhance their bodies
273
00:15:32,223 --> 00:15:34,475
and prolong their lives.
274
00:15:34,475 --> 00:15:37,770
But ancient astronaut
theorists believe that,
275
00:15:37,770 --> 00:15:40,148
like genetic manipulation,
276
00:15:40,148 --> 00:15:45,361
evidence of nootropic use can
be found thousands of years ago.
277
00:15:45,361 --> 00:15:48,614
Dating back to
the fifth century BC,
278
00:15:48,614 --> 00:15:52,243
the Hindu Sanskrit epic
known as The Mahabharata,
279
00:15:52,243 --> 00:15:55,454
tells the story
of Samudra Manthana,
280
00:15:55,454 --> 00:15:58,541
a celestial battle
between the gods
281
00:15:58,541 --> 00:16:02,211
for a rare substance
that grants immortality.
282
00:16:05,631 --> 00:16:11,429
The "Samudra Manthana" means
the "churning of the ocean."
283
00:16:11,429 --> 00:16:15,141
And in this case,
the ocean is visualized
284
00:16:15,141 --> 00:16:17,393
as a cosmic sea of milk.
285
00:16:17,393 --> 00:16:21,189
It is, in essence,
the Milky Way itself.
286
00:16:21,189 --> 00:16:25,193
There were two primary forces
at odds in the universe.
287
00:16:25,193 --> 00:16:27,361
There were the Asuras...
288
00:16:27,361 --> 00:16:28,738
and they were at odds
289
00:16:28,738 --> 00:16:32,366
with a new order of gods‐‐
the Devas.
290
00:16:35,036 --> 00:16:37,872
The gods went to Lord Vishnu
and Vishnu said,
291
00:16:37,872 --> 00:16:40,750
why don't you try
to cooperate with them?
292
00:16:40,750 --> 00:16:43,711
At the very depths of the ocean,
293
00:16:43,711 --> 00:16:46,797
there is a substance
called Amrita,
294
00:16:46,797 --> 00:16:49,258
a divine nectar
of immortality.
295
00:16:49,258 --> 00:16:51,510
Churn the cosmic ocean of milk,
296
00:16:51,510 --> 00:16:54,513
and it will yield forth
the nectar of immortality,
297
00:16:54,513 --> 00:16:56,557
and you can share it.
298
00:16:56,557 --> 00:16:59,894
YOUNG: The gods and the demons
start churning,
299
00:16:59,894 --> 00:17:02,271
in the heavens, the Milky Way,
300
00:17:02,271 --> 00:17:06,317
and what is produced
by this is an elixir,
301
00:17:06,317 --> 00:17:08,653
an elixir
that can grant immortality.
302
00:17:08,653 --> 00:17:11,280
Well, there was
a terrible war now,
303
00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:14,242
because everyone wanted this.
304
00:17:14,242 --> 00:17:17,119
CHILDRESS: In order to win
the battle for the gods,
305
00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:19,789
they decide they need
this amrita,
306
00:17:19,789 --> 00:17:22,208
this elixir of life.
307
00:17:22,208 --> 00:17:26,379
So you have to wonder if this
story isn't about some kind of
308
00:17:26,379 --> 00:17:28,839
extraterrestrial war in heaven,
309
00:17:28,839 --> 00:17:33,261
where aliens are fighting
over nootropics.
310
00:17:38,641 --> 00:17:41,269
NARRATOR: Could the story
of the Samudra Manthana
311
00:17:41,269 --> 00:17:44,564
be an ancient account
of a celestial battle
312
00:17:44,564 --> 00:17:46,315
over a highly advanced
nootropic?
313
00:17:48,150 --> 00:17:51,612
Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
314
00:17:51,612 --> 00:17:54,615
and point to legends
of immortality elixirs
315
00:17:54,615 --> 00:17:59,620
throughout antiquity.
316
00:17:59,620 --> 00:18:02,331
The ancients had many stories
of immortality‐‐
317
00:18:02,331 --> 00:18:03,958
that it was touchable
or reachable.
318
00:18:05,585 --> 00:18:09,589
The Chinese had
the peaches of immortality.
319
00:18:09,589 --> 00:18:12,842
The Greeks had ambrosia.
320
00:18:12,842 --> 00:18:16,887
The Mesopotamians
had the idea of "soma."
321
00:18:16,887 --> 00:18:21,225
In the Biblical tradition,
there is the tree of life.
322
00:18:21,225 --> 00:18:25,146
There is something that you
can ingest and gain immortality.
323
00:18:27,023 --> 00:18:28,482
CHILDRESS:
This quest has been going on
324
00:18:28,482 --> 00:18:30,067
for thousands of years,
325
00:18:30,067 --> 00:18:33,654
around the world,
by many different cultures.
326
00:18:33,654 --> 00:18:37,325
This quest
for these smart drugs,
327
00:18:37,325 --> 00:18:40,995
that will enhance our lifestyle
and our mental clarity.
328
00:18:40,995 --> 00:18:43,039
So you have to wonder,
329
00:18:43,039 --> 00:18:46,917
was this nootropic drug
330
00:18:46,917 --> 00:18:50,046
some kind of
extraterrestrial elixir
331
00:18:50,046 --> 00:18:51,672
that was well‐known
in ancient times?
332
00:18:56,385 --> 00:18:58,054
NARRATOR:
Could ancient accounts
333
00:18:58,054 --> 00:19:01,682
of elixirs of immortality
really be descriptions
334
00:19:01,682 --> 00:19:05,144
of extraterrestrial nootropics?
335
00:19:05,144 --> 00:19:07,897
And might it soon be possible
336
00:19:07,897 --> 00:19:10,608
to unlock
our full human potential
337
00:19:10,608 --> 00:19:13,402
simply with the
right potion or pill,
338
00:19:13,402 --> 00:19:16,572
perhaps fulfilling a destiny
339
00:19:16,572 --> 00:19:19,659
to become like
our alien ancestors?
340
00:19:19,659 --> 00:19:23,579
Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
341
00:19:23,579 --> 00:19:26,290
and suggest molecular chemistry
342
00:19:26,290 --> 00:19:29,126
is only the beginning
of the human upgrade.
343
00:19:38,594 --> 00:19:42,056
NARRATOR:
November 17, 2015.
344
00:19:45,101 --> 00:19:47,019
A team of researchers
345
00:19:47,019 --> 00:19:50,606
from North Carolina State
University, and Rice University,
346
00:19:50,606 --> 00:19:53,526
unveil the first motor‐driven,
347
00:19:53,526 --> 00:19:55,695
submersible nanomachines
ever created.
348
00:19:59,407 --> 00:20:04,328
Molecular nano‐technology
is the idea
349
00:20:04,328 --> 00:20:07,665
of building devices, machines,
350
00:20:07,665 --> 00:20:09,959
at a molecular scale.
351
00:20:09,959 --> 00:20:14,672
"Nano" refers to
a billionth of a meter,
352
00:20:14,672 --> 00:20:16,298
so, very, very small.
353
00:20:16,298 --> 00:20:18,050
We're getting down
to atomic scale.
354
00:20:21,053 --> 00:20:24,640
NARRATOR:
Measuring only 244 atoms across,
355
00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:27,351
these miniature robots
are designed
356
00:20:27,351 --> 00:20:29,103
to deliver specialized medicines
357
00:20:29,103 --> 00:20:32,273
throughout the body,
using the bloodstream.
358
00:20:32,273 --> 00:20:36,861
Scientists have created biobots
that are the first of its kind.
359
00:20:36,861 --> 00:20:40,322
These tiny little bio hybrids
and bots are capable
360
00:20:40,322 --> 00:20:43,159
of tying to viscous material
through our bodies.
361
00:20:43,159 --> 00:20:45,161
SCOTT: They take
submersible nanomachines
362
00:20:45,161 --> 00:20:46,996
that can be controlled
with UV light,
363
00:20:46,996 --> 00:20:49,957
and using the UV light,
they can control
364
00:20:49,957 --> 00:20:52,334
where these nanomachines
take nutrients
365
00:20:52,334 --> 00:20:54,503
and take medicines
into the body.
366
00:20:56,088 --> 00:20:57,590
WARWICK:
As long as we have a way
367
00:20:57,590 --> 00:20:59,967
of controlling them
from the outside,
368
00:20:59,967 --> 00:21:02,303
they can move around
very, very quickly,
369
00:21:02,303 --> 00:21:04,930
perform a function‐‐
i‐if we're looking
370
00:21:04,930 --> 00:21:06,891
at operating on a cancer,
371
00:21:06,891 --> 00:21:08,934
then, potentially, they could do
372
00:21:08,934 --> 00:21:11,312
that operation for you,
from within.
373
00:21:16,525 --> 00:21:19,945
WILCOCK: This could
lead to huge advances
374
00:21:19,945 --> 00:21:23,282
in medicine, in healing,
375
00:21:23,282 --> 00:21:26,827
leading to nanomachines
that could actually
376
00:21:26,827 --> 00:21:28,245
heal the wounds in our bodies,
377
00:21:28,245 --> 00:21:31,749
close things up much faster,
378
00:21:31,749 --> 00:21:35,002
repair damaged tissue,
extend our lifespan,
379
00:21:35,002 --> 00:21:40,174
and literally bring us into
a new level of human evolution.
380
00:21:44,136 --> 00:21:45,888
NARRATOR:
Transhumanists believe
381
00:21:45,888 --> 00:21:47,640
our bodies will soon be home
382
00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:50,768
to swarms of nanomachines,
383
00:21:50,768 --> 00:21:53,813
that will both heal,
and also warn of disease.
384
00:21:56,482 --> 00:21:57,942
And some propose
385
00:21:57,942 --> 00:22:01,028
this technology
is advancing so rapidly
386
00:22:01,028 --> 00:22:02,488
that it will not just be
387
00:22:02,488 --> 00:22:04,865
future generations
that will live tens
388
00:22:04,865 --> 00:22:07,785
or even hundreds
of years longer,
389
00:22:07,785 --> 00:22:10,913
but people who are alive today.
390
00:22:10,913 --> 00:22:15,584
STOCK: The possibility
of reversing human aging,
391
00:22:15,584 --> 00:22:18,379
as opposed to just
slowing it down,
392
00:22:18,379 --> 00:22:20,631
is not a very big stretch.
393
00:22:20,631 --> 00:22:25,261
So if you understand aging
and the fundamentals
394
00:22:25,261 --> 00:22:28,681
of the processes
that are leading to it,
395
00:22:28,681 --> 00:22:31,308
it would be quite possible,
both to slow it,
396
00:22:31,308 --> 00:22:34,687
and it would also be possible
to reverse it.
397
00:22:39,525 --> 00:22:41,402
SCOTT:
An example of this is a study
398
00:22:41,402 --> 00:22:42,862
that has gone on at Harvard,
399
00:22:42,862 --> 00:22:45,739
by reversing
the muscle tissue in mice.
400
00:22:48,075 --> 00:22:51,370
We have actually reversed
the age in these mice.
401
00:22:53,289 --> 00:22:54,582
And so, if we can do that
402
00:22:54,582 --> 00:22:57,126
in the laboratory setting,
403
00:22:57,126 --> 00:22:58,878
it's only a matter of time
404
00:22:58,878 --> 00:23:01,589
before we're able to reverse
our own aging process.
405
00:23:04,091 --> 00:23:06,343
NARRATOR: Could millions of
microscopic robots
406
00:23:06,343 --> 00:23:09,471
soon be swimming
in our bloodstreams,
407
00:23:09,471 --> 00:23:11,640
augmenting our immune system,
408
00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:14,894
and even reversing the aging
process entirely,
409
00:23:14,894 --> 00:23:16,770
as transhumanists believe?
410
00:23:18,939 --> 00:23:21,275
Ancient astronaut
theorists suggest
411
00:23:21,275 --> 00:23:24,570
that if such
a transformation does occur,
412
00:23:24,570 --> 00:23:27,072
it may be a sign
that we're evolving
413
00:23:27,072 --> 00:23:29,783
to become more
like our alien ancestors.
414
00:23:36,081 --> 00:23:39,752
As evidence, they point
to the Sumerian King List,
415
00:23:39,752 --> 00:23:42,004
a series of stone tablets
416
00:23:42,004 --> 00:23:45,382
that are believed to be
over 4,000 years old,
417
00:23:45,382 --> 00:23:47,092
and record the reigns
418
00:23:47,092 --> 00:23:49,428
of ancient Mesopotamian kings
419
00:23:49,428 --> 00:23:52,973
that ruled for upwards
of 43,000 years.
420
00:23:55,893 --> 00:23:57,269
HENRY:
The Sumerian Kings List
421
00:23:57,269 --> 00:24:00,564
was handed down
to humanity by the gods.
422
00:24:00,564 --> 00:24:03,233
What's extraordinary is that
the reigns of these kings
423
00:24:03,233 --> 00:24:05,527
last into the
thousands of years.
424
00:24:05,527 --> 00:24:07,237
These people weren't
making allegorical
425
00:24:07,237 --> 00:24:08,739
or metaphorical statements,
426
00:24:08,739 --> 00:24:10,950
these were accurate
historical records.
427
00:24:13,077 --> 00:24:14,620
CHILDRESS:
Ancient texts,
428
00:24:14,620 --> 00:24:17,164
including the Bible
and the Sumerian texts,
429
00:24:17,164 --> 00:24:19,500
talk about ancient kings
430
00:24:19,500 --> 00:24:23,587
and other people living
incredibly long life spans.
431
00:24:23,587 --> 00:24:28,592
Methuselah, who was supposedly
the father of Noah,
432
00:24:28,592 --> 00:24:31,220
was said to have lived
for 969 years.
433
00:24:34,431 --> 00:24:36,100
JASON MARTELL:
When we look into the past,
434
00:24:36,100 --> 00:24:37,977
there's a clear record
of people who have lived
435
00:24:37,977 --> 00:24:41,689
a much longer life span
than what we have today.
436
00:24:41,689 --> 00:24:43,941
We have to wonder if
these beings weren't given
437
00:24:43,941 --> 00:24:46,360
or had access to
some type of nanotechnology.
438
00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:49,947
And it fuels the idea
and understanding,
439
00:24:49,947 --> 00:24:53,033
and our drive today,
to be like the gods.
440
00:24:56,203 --> 00:24:58,664
CHILDRESS: And this
important nanotechnology
441
00:24:58,664 --> 00:25:01,875
is something that
extraterrestrials
442
00:25:01,875 --> 00:25:05,546
and other advanced civilizations
would already have.
443
00:25:07,423 --> 00:25:09,008
And it would only
make sense that,
444
00:25:09,008 --> 00:25:12,553
if extraterrestrials
are coming to our planet,
445
00:25:12,553 --> 00:25:15,431
they would have brought
this nanotechnology with them.
446
00:25:19,810 --> 00:25:21,562
NARRATOR:
Might our research
447
00:25:21,562 --> 00:25:25,691
into nanotechnology, nootropics
and genetic engineering
448
00:25:25,691 --> 00:25:29,611
ascend us to the level
of extraterrestrials
449
00:25:29,611 --> 00:25:32,906
that came to Earth
thousands of years ago,
450
00:25:32,906 --> 00:25:35,909
as ancient astronaut
theorists suggest?
451
00:25:38,537 --> 00:25:41,206
Perhaps further clues
can be found
452
00:25:41,206 --> 00:25:44,501
by examining the technology
that is being developed
453
00:25:44,501 --> 00:25:47,796
to upgrade not just our blood,
454
00:25:47,796 --> 00:25:50,549
but even our flesh.
455
00:25:57,306 --> 00:25:59,099
NARRATOR:
New York City.
456
00:25:59,099 --> 00:26:03,395
May 4, 2015.
457
00:26:03,395 --> 00:26:06,815
At TechCrunch Disrupt New York,
458
00:26:06,815 --> 00:26:09,610
an annual new technologies
conference,
459
00:26:09,610 --> 00:26:12,362
U.S. biotech startup BioBots
460
00:26:12,362 --> 00:26:16,158
launches a desktop 3D printer
for biomaterials...
461
00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:21,538
...which they use to print
a replica of Van Gogh's ear.
462
00:26:23,791 --> 00:26:25,959
Instead of plastic,
463
00:26:25,959 --> 00:26:28,670
special ink is combined
with biomaterials‐‐
464
00:26:28,670 --> 00:26:31,673
like collagen
and cultured cells‐‐
465
00:26:31,673 --> 00:26:34,843
to build living tissue
and human organs.
466
00:26:38,889 --> 00:26:41,266
So, right now,
we're just at the beginning
467
00:26:41,266 --> 00:26:43,185
of understanding
how to 3D‐print organs.
468
00:26:45,646 --> 00:26:47,606
It's a process called
"biofabrication."
469
00:26:47,606 --> 00:26:51,568
So BioBots has created
a biofabrication 3D printer
470
00:26:51,568 --> 00:26:55,114
that can print artificial tissue
and small organs.
471
00:26:56,573 --> 00:26:58,826
In the future,
what we're going to see
472
00:26:58,826 --> 00:27:00,494
are 3D printers that are
473
00:27:00,494 --> 00:27:03,622
bio‐fabricating our bodies
and our organs.
474
00:27:06,542 --> 00:27:09,086
WILCOCK:
You could eventually have
475
00:27:09,086 --> 00:27:11,463
printable noses, lungs,
476
00:27:11,463 --> 00:27:14,508
ears, kidneys...
477
00:27:14,508 --> 00:27:17,344
and, in certain ways,
478
00:27:17,344 --> 00:27:19,471
this technology is so extreme
479
00:27:19,471 --> 00:27:21,348
that it could make it
democratic.
480
00:27:21,348 --> 00:27:23,350
It could make it inexpensive.
481
00:27:23,350 --> 00:27:27,437
So in the hands of skilled,
trained medical professionals,
482
00:27:27,437 --> 00:27:29,022
it could be possible
in the future
483
00:27:29,022 --> 00:27:32,943
to 3D print organs for people
484
00:27:32,943 --> 00:27:35,153
out of their own
genetic material.
485
00:27:41,243 --> 00:27:43,412
NARRATOR:
Transhumanists believe
486
00:27:43,412 --> 00:27:46,999
we may soon transcend
our biological limitations,
487
00:27:46,999 --> 00:27:50,836
as we embed machines
directly into our own bodies.
488
00:27:53,463 --> 00:27:57,175
DARPA, the agency of
the U. S. Department of Defense
489
00:27:57,175 --> 00:28:00,178
responsible for the development
of emerging technologies
490
00:28:00,178 --> 00:28:02,389
for use by the military...
491
00:28:02,389 --> 00:28:07,144
is currently designing neural
implants that will improve
492
00:28:07,144 --> 00:28:11,899
cognitive speed and
memory retention in soldiers.
493
00:28:11,899 --> 00:28:14,401
And in 2014,
494
00:28:14,401 --> 00:28:18,739
scientists at Seoul National
University in South Korea
495
00:28:18,739 --> 00:28:22,492
unveiled research on
synthetic "smart skin"‐‐
496
00:28:22,492 --> 00:28:25,370
lifelike ultra‐thin
crystalline silicon
497
00:28:25,370 --> 00:28:28,457
designed to cover
prosthetic limbs,
498
00:28:28,457 --> 00:28:31,835
giving the user all of the
sensations of a natural limb.
499
00:28:35,130 --> 00:28:38,508
They have now developed a‐a skin
500
00:28:38,508 --> 00:28:41,637
which has touch senses
embedded in it
501
00:28:41,637 --> 00:28:43,972
with a very fine matrix,
502
00:28:43,972 --> 00:28:48,018
which can be put
around a prosthetic.
503
00:28:48,018 --> 00:28:51,313
So you can actually feel
504
00:28:51,313 --> 00:28:52,940
what that arm is feeling
505
00:28:52,940 --> 00:28:54,775
or you can touch the floor,
506
00:28:54,775 --> 00:28:58,779
feel whether it's hot or cold,
or applying pressure.
507
00:28:58,779 --> 00:29:00,113
SCOTT:
Future artificial limbs
508
00:29:00,113 --> 00:29:02,157
will look just like our skin,
509
00:29:02,157 --> 00:29:03,909
look just like our hands
and our legs.
510
00:29:03,909 --> 00:29:05,702
It's going to affect
the entire world.
511
00:29:05,702 --> 00:29:07,120
We're going to see people
512
00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:09,498
using smart prosthetics
513
00:29:09,498 --> 00:29:11,375
that are added to the body,
514
00:29:11,375 --> 00:29:15,045
that can be controlled
directly through the brain.
515
00:29:15,045 --> 00:29:19,174
And that really is
the future of prosthetics.
516
00:29:19,174 --> 00:29:22,636
WARWICK:
I can speak from experience,
517
00:29:22,636 --> 00:29:24,471
because I've had one myself‐‐
518
00:29:24,471 --> 00:29:27,975
our implants that link
either into the brain
519
00:29:27,975 --> 00:29:30,727
or into the human
nervous system‐‐
520
00:29:30,727 --> 00:29:32,604
and what I had was
521
00:29:32,604 --> 00:29:36,650
100 small electrodes...
522
00:29:36,650 --> 00:29:39,027
fired into my nervous system
523
00:29:39,027 --> 00:29:41,989
to link my nervous system
with a computer.
524
00:29:41,989 --> 00:29:45,701
It was a bit like plugging
a plug into an electric socket,
525
00:29:45,701 --> 00:29:48,870
but the socket was
my nervous system.
526
00:29:48,870 --> 00:29:51,790
I went to Columbia University
in New York,
527
00:29:51,790 --> 00:29:54,292
we plugged my nervous system
into the Internet,
528
00:29:54,292 --> 00:29:58,714
and I controlled a robot hand
from my brain signals.
529
00:29:58,714 --> 00:30:00,674
You can extend
your nervous system
530
00:30:00,674 --> 00:30:02,509
by simply plugging into it.
531
00:30:05,262 --> 00:30:07,848
SCOTT: If we can use
just the power of our thought
532
00:30:07,848 --> 00:30:11,518
to control artificial limbs...
533
00:30:11,518 --> 00:30:13,520
we can eventually, one day,
534
00:30:13,520 --> 00:30:17,315
use the power of our thoughts
to control avatar robots.
535
00:30:17,315 --> 00:30:20,861
(whirring)
536
00:30:20,861 --> 00:30:23,280
I think we're going to see
that kind of technology
537
00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:25,991
used to control avatars
on the Moon;
538
00:30:25,991 --> 00:30:28,243
we're going to see that kind of
technology to control
539
00:30:28,243 --> 00:30:30,537
robotic humanoid avatars
on Mars.
540
00:30:35,375 --> 00:30:38,170
NARRATOR: Could we one day
venture into the cosmos,
541
00:30:38,170 --> 00:30:40,297
not with our bodies,
542
00:30:40,297 --> 00:30:44,926
but by wirelessly controlling
robotic avatars?
543
00:30:44,926 --> 00:30:49,473
And is it possible
that extraterrestrials
544
00:30:49,473 --> 00:30:51,600
have utilized
these same technologies
545
00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:54,227
to explore Earth
in the distant past?
546
00:30:57,439 --> 00:31:00,567
Ancient astronaut
theorists say yes,
547
00:31:00,567 --> 00:31:04,696
and point to technologies
currently in development at MIT
548
00:31:04,696 --> 00:31:07,824
that strongly resemble
those in ancient accounts
549
00:31:07,824 --> 00:31:10,577
of gods who descended
from the sky.
550
00:31:13,413 --> 00:31:16,208
At the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology's
551
00:31:16,208 --> 00:31:18,543
Institute for
Soldier Nanotechnologies,
552
00:31:18,543 --> 00:31:22,297
they are developing a new
smart skin for our soldiers
553
00:31:22,297 --> 00:31:25,592
that would make them resistant
to ballistic attack
554
00:31:25,592 --> 00:31:28,970
or chemical attack and also
would instantly self‐repair.
555
00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:32,974
This is absolutely
extraordinary,
556
00:31:32,974 --> 00:31:35,769
because in the ancient texts,
we learn of the gods
557
00:31:35,769 --> 00:31:38,772
who wore a similar skin that
seemed to make them impervious
558
00:31:38,772 --> 00:31:40,899
to any kind of human weaponry.
559
00:31:40,899 --> 00:31:42,776
They couldn't die.
560
00:31:45,237 --> 00:31:46,905
Now when I hear stories
561
00:31:46,905 --> 00:31:49,950
of semi‐divine beings,
such as Hercules,
562
00:31:49,950 --> 00:31:54,871
with his impenetrable lion skin,
563
00:31:54,871 --> 00:31:57,666
or in the Sanskrit Mahabharata,
564
00:31:57,666 --> 00:32:01,670
the story of Karna
and his impenetrable armor,
565
00:32:01,670 --> 00:32:03,839
I have to ask the question
566
00:32:03,839 --> 00:32:06,967
whether or not these were all
misunderstood technologies.
567
00:32:10,929 --> 00:32:13,265
NARRATOR:
Could the self‐repairing skin
568
00:32:13,265 --> 00:32:15,350
being developed at MIT
569
00:32:15,350 --> 00:32:17,102
be the same technology
570
00:32:17,102 --> 00:32:19,563
our ancestors wrote about
571
00:32:19,563 --> 00:32:22,524
when they described divine
beings that were invincible?
572
00:32:24,526 --> 00:32:27,529
And are we on the verge
of this incredible biological
573
00:32:27,529 --> 00:32:30,949
and evolutionary leap
ourselves?
574
00:32:30,949 --> 00:32:33,910
Some believe
that mankind's next step
575
00:32:33,910 --> 00:32:36,663
is not in augmenting
our bodies with machines,
576
00:32:36,663 --> 00:32:40,292
but in becoming
the machines ourselves.
577
00:32:46,173 --> 00:32:48,216
NARRATOR:
Geneva, Switzerland.
578
00:32:48,216 --> 00:32:52,554
2013.
579
00:32:52,554 --> 00:32:56,933
Henry Markram founds
the Human Brain Project‐‐
580
00:32:56,933 --> 00:33:00,437
a ten‐year scientific venture
funded by the EU,
581
00:33:00,437 --> 00:33:03,565
involving hundreds
of researchers
582
00:33:03,565 --> 00:33:08,236
from 135 institutions
in 26 countries.
583
00:33:08,236 --> 00:33:12,240
The goal of this project is to
create a fully simulated model
584
00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:16,119
of the human brain
inside a computer.
585
00:33:18,079 --> 00:33:20,832
A lot of people are really
excited about the idea of:
586
00:33:20,832 --> 00:33:22,876
if we could
map out the structure
587
00:33:22,876 --> 00:33:24,461
of the human brain,
588
00:33:24,461 --> 00:33:26,755
neuron for neuron,
and every connection,
589
00:33:26,755 --> 00:33:29,174
then we can download
every connection
590
00:33:29,174 --> 00:33:30,592
that we have in our brain,
591
00:33:30,592 --> 00:33:33,929
all that information,
onto a computer.
592
00:33:37,474 --> 00:33:40,310
NARRATOR:
The Human Brain Project is only
593
00:33:40,310 --> 00:33:43,230
one of a number
of brain‐mapping ventures.
594
00:33:43,230 --> 00:33:46,233
The next great American project,
and that's what we're calling
595
00:33:46,233 --> 00:33:47,859
the BRAIN Initiative.
596
00:33:47,859 --> 00:33:51,446
NARRATOR:
In 2013, President Barack Obama
597
00:33:51,446 --> 00:33:54,366
unveiled a $4.5 billion project
598
00:33:54,366 --> 00:33:56,701
called the BRAIN Initiative.
599
00:33:59,371 --> 00:34:01,498
And Microsoft co‐founder
Paul Allen
600
00:34:01,498 --> 00:34:04,918
has invested
over $500 million
601
00:34:04,918 --> 00:34:08,546
in the Allen Institute
for Brain Science.
602
00:34:08,546 --> 00:34:11,091
Futurists speculate that if
603
00:34:11,091 --> 00:34:12,884
these initiatives are
successful,
604
00:34:12,884 --> 00:34:15,720
the implications
could be profound.
605
00:34:21,184 --> 00:34:23,270
SCOTT:
Imagine having every piece
606
00:34:23,270 --> 00:34:25,647
of knowledge that every human
has ever collected.
607
00:34:28,149 --> 00:34:29,901
And if you crunch that down
608
00:34:29,901 --> 00:34:32,612
into a digital consciousness...
609
00:34:32,612 --> 00:34:35,615
that's going
to unlock everything.
610
00:34:42,122 --> 00:34:44,082
We can know things
about the world
611
00:34:44,082 --> 00:34:45,875
and about life
612
00:34:45,875 --> 00:34:49,296
that no individuals have
ever previously known,
613
00:34:49,296 --> 00:34:54,009
because they're all
from the aggregation
614
00:34:54,009 --> 00:34:57,178
of all of human knowledge
that's going together.
615
00:34:57,178 --> 00:34:59,639
So these are the kinds of powers
that would have been
616
00:34:59,639 --> 00:35:03,059
viewed as god‐like
in previous eras.
617
00:35:08,356 --> 00:35:09,858
NARRATOR:
Could we be on the verge
618
00:35:09,858 --> 00:35:12,861
of creating
a superhuman intelligence,
619
00:35:12,861 --> 00:35:15,697
able to outperform
a human at any task?
620
00:35:17,240 --> 00:35:19,284
And if so,
621
00:35:19,284 --> 00:35:22,537
are we at risk of being replaced
by machines entirely?
622
00:35:24,956 --> 00:35:26,916
Transhumanists believe
623
00:35:26,916 --> 00:35:30,086
what lies ahead
could actually be a merging
624
00:35:30,086 --> 00:35:32,297
of man and machine.
625
00:35:37,844 --> 00:35:41,139
WARWICK: If we can map
the human brain into technology,
626
00:35:41,139 --> 00:35:44,142
then I could take your brain
627
00:35:44,142 --> 00:35:46,895
or somebody else's brain
628
00:35:46,895 --> 00:35:50,774
and copy it into a computer.
629
00:35:50,774 --> 00:35:54,986
A technological one that could
potentially live forever.
630
00:35:58,323 --> 00:36:01,117
WILCOCK: What happens
if we gain the ability
631
00:36:01,117 --> 00:36:04,579
to upload our consciousness
into some sort
632
00:36:04,579 --> 00:36:08,124
of cloud virtual Internet
technology?
633
00:36:10,168 --> 00:36:15,173
It's not that far from the
spectrum of a realizable goal,
634
00:36:15,173 --> 00:36:19,135
because we're already seeing
neurological implants
635
00:36:19,135 --> 00:36:21,971
that can be put into the brain,
that can be used
636
00:36:21,971 --> 00:36:24,766
to control the movement
of an artificial arm.
637
00:36:26,935 --> 00:36:29,312
What happens
if those neural implants
638
00:36:29,312 --> 00:36:31,272
can actually take
the true essence
639
00:36:31,272 --> 00:36:33,858
of what it means
to be conscious,
640
00:36:33,858 --> 00:36:36,903
and break that down into
some sort of pure information
641
00:36:36,903 --> 00:36:40,323
that could live apart
from a biological substrate?
642
00:36:42,158 --> 00:36:44,911
It could make itself
far more massive,
643
00:36:44,911 --> 00:36:46,496
far more intelligent,
644
00:36:46,496 --> 00:36:49,374
than any human
ever had been before.
645
00:36:54,671 --> 00:36:56,381
NARRATOR:
Could extraterrestrials have
646
00:36:56,381 --> 00:36:59,467
steered our evolution
towards technology,
647
00:36:59,467 --> 00:37:04,097
so that we may merge man
directly with machine,
648
00:37:04,097 --> 00:37:06,808
eliminating
our biological restraints?
649
00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:12,272
And if so, might our futures
lie entirely
650
00:37:12,272 --> 00:37:16,735
in a digital realm of silicon
and bits of code?
651
00:37:16,735 --> 00:37:20,029
Many believe the answer lies
not in what we are becoming,
652
00:37:20,029 --> 00:37:23,450
but where we are going.
653
00:37:23,450 --> 00:37:28,204
CHILDRESS: It won't be long
before mankind has reached
654
00:37:28,204 --> 00:37:31,040
the point where we have
655
00:37:31,040 --> 00:37:33,418
the technology
and the artificial intelligence
656
00:37:33,418 --> 00:37:35,420
to leave our planet
657
00:37:35,420 --> 00:37:38,923
and go into space, just like
extraterrestrials before us.
658
00:37:41,342 --> 00:37:44,345
So you've got to wonder:
are extraterrestrials
659
00:37:44,345 --> 00:37:47,265
somehow guiding us
and manipulating us
660
00:37:47,265 --> 00:37:49,684
into this new future,
661
00:37:49,684 --> 00:37:53,271
and this new human,
that we are destined to be?
662
00:37:56,983 --> 00:38:00,028
NARRATOR: Is it possible that
extraterrestrials have led us
663
00:38:00,028 --> 00:38:02,739
to a post‐biological future,
664
00:38:02,739 --> 00:38:06,618
so that we can rejoin them
in the cosmos?
665
00:38:06,618 --> 00:38:10,872
And if so, might they have
used these same technologies
666
00:38:10,872 --> 00:38:13,625
to visit Earth
in the distant past?
667
00:38:17,212 --> 00:38:20,465
Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
668
00:38:20,465 --> 00:38:22,133
and look to NASA's
own attempts
669
00:38:22,133 --> 00:38:24,260
at re‐engineering man
670
00:38:24,260 --> 00:38:26,596
for space.
671
00:38:34,687 --> 00:38:37,524
NARRATOR:
New York City, 1961.
672
00:38:39,734 --> 00:38:42,821
Psychopharmacologist
Nathan S. Kline
673
00:38:42,821 --> 00:38:46,241
and cybernetic mathematician
Manfred Clynes
674
00:38:46,241 --> 00:38:49,285
co‐publish a paper
about human space travel
675
00:38:49,285 --> 00:38:53,081
entitled "Drugs, Space,
and Cybernetics."
676
00:38:55,375 --> 00:38:58,211
The two coin
the term "cyborg"‐‐
677
00:38:58,211 --> 00:39:01,130
an enhanced human being
specifically doctored
678
00:39:01,130 --> 00:39:03,341
to survive in extraterrestrial
environments
679
00:39:03,341 --> 00:39:05,218
without a space suit.
680
00:39:07,804 --> 00:39:10,890
In their paper,
they detailed various ways
681
00:39:10,890 --> 00:39:14,060
in which to modify
the human body for survival
682
00:39:14,060 --> 00:39:17,856
beyond Earth, and later
served as the inspiration
683
00:39:17,856 --> 00:39:21,568
for NASA's study
"Engineering Man for Space."
684
00:39:24,737 --> 00:39:28,408
TSOUKALOS: Our bodies are
not suited for living in space.
685
00:39:28,408 --> 00:39:32,662
After only a few days, we
experience muscle and bone loss.
686
00:39:32,662 --> 00:39:36,165
One has to wonder
if extraterrestrials
687
00:39:36,165 --> 00:39:38,418
experience the same type
of problems.
688
00:39:40,253 --> 00:39:43,506
I do think that any beings
that are able
689
00:39:43,506 --> 00:39:48,094
to cross the cosmos
and visit this planet
690
00:39:48,094 --> 00:39:52,473
will have learned how
to self‐direct their evolution,
691
00:39:52,473 --> 00:39:54,726
to survive in deep space
692
00:39:54,726 --> 00:39:56,811
for extraordinarily
long periods of time.
693
00:39:56,811 --> 00:39:59,772
Those beings,
more than likely,
694
00:39:59,772 --> 00:40:01,691
will be, at least,
bio‐digital,
695
00:40:01,691 --> 00:40:04,235
meaning that they have merged
with their technologies.
696
00:40:04,235 --> 00:40:06,946
Or they will be
pure digital beings.
697
00:40:06,946 --> 00:40:10,450
These may be robots
or cyborgs.
698
00:40:17,457 --> 00:40:19,876
NARRATOR: Could
extraterrestrials have used
699
00:40:19,876 --> 00:40:24,255
the same cyborg technologies
we are just now developing?
700
00:40:25,965 --> 00:40:29,302
If so, might our push
towards transhumanism
701
00:40:29,302 --> 00:40:32,764
really be inspired
by an innate desire
702
00:40:32,764 --> 00:40:35,767
to travel further into space...
703
00:40:35,767 --> 00:40:37,977
and seek out our creators?
704
00:40:42,023 --> 00:40:44,984
There has been
a consistent path towards
705
00:40:44,984 --> 00:40:47,362
the fusion of human and machine
706
00:40:47,362 --> 00:40:49,447
throughout all of our history‐‐
707
00:40:49,447 --> 00:40:52,116
this idea that we could
somehow advance ourselves
708
00:40:52,116 --> 00:40:54,243
for the betterment
of humankind
709
00:40:54,243 --> 00:40:55,870
through this merger
710
00:40:55,870 --> 00:40:59,749
of technology and biology.
711
00:40:59,749 --> 00:41:01,626
CHILDRESS:
I think that what will happen
712
00:41:01,626 --> 00:41:05,296
is that our biological bodies
713
00:41:05,296 --> 00:41:07,674
will be able to be perfected,
714
00:41:07,674 --> 00:41:10,510
any imperfections corrected.
715
00:41:10,510 --> 00:41:13,304
Our mental abilities
and lifespan
716
00:41:13,304 --> 00:41:15,807
will be enhanced considerably.
717
00:41:15,807 --> 00:41:19,727
And we will be ready, ourselves,
to go into space
718
00:41:19,727 --> 00:41:23,439
and ultimately join
our creators in the stars.
719
00:41:28,528 --> 00:41:31,406
NARRATOR: Is it possible
extraterrestrials left us
720
00:41:31,406 --> 00:41:33,449
with the tools
to mold ourselves
721
00:41:33,449 --> 00:41:35,994
into a truly
transhuman species...
722
00:41:38,246 --> 00:41:40,123
...one without any limits,
723
00:41:40,123 --> 00:41:44,127
capable of traveling
the stars at will?
724
00:41:44,127 --> 00:41:48,006
Or could nanomachines,
artificial intelligence,
725
00:41:48,006 --> 00:41:52,719
and the digital revolution
render humans obsolete?
726
00:41:52,719 --> 00:41:56,723
Our lives and the very nature
of our existence
727
00:41:56,723 --> 00:42:00,351
may balance on this choice,
728
00:42:00,351 --> 00:42:05,632
a choice that is coming
much sooner than we think.
57268
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.