Vincent Førde’s newly published PhD thesis provides a bold framework for ensuring Earth’s survival on Mars, uniting science, esoteric insights, and creative arts. A featured interview with Dr. Fred Jordan of FinalSpark highlights the potential of biocomputing to cut energy use, lower CO2 emissions, and introduce biodegradable technology, with applications ranging from sustainable infrastructure on Earth to future interplanetary missions.
Vincent Førde, has just published his doctoral thesis. This thesis presents a framework for preserving Earth’s life on Mars by merging science, esoteric knowledge, and creative arts to address ecological collapse and envision sustainable planetary futures. You can access the full text here: https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/24252/.
As part of the thesis, Vincent conducted an interview with Fred. This interview delves into the potential of biocomputing, explored by us, to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, minimize resource extraction, and enable biodegradable alternatives in technology. Fred explains the company’s vision of bioprocessors as energy-efficient replacements for certain microprocessors and their potential to contribute to sustainable infrastructure. While FinalSpark’s work isn’t directly inspired by science fiction, it aligns with speculative concepts like hybrid AI bioengineered systems. The discussion touches on futuristic applications, including interplanetary exploration, enhanced human-machine interfaces, personalized medicine, and ethical considerations surrounding bioengineered intelligence.
The below interview is an excerpt from Vincent Forde’s thesis:
Vincent Førde: How effective can FinalSpark’s research be in reducing the level of energy consumption, and thus, hazardous waste products, including C02, in communications technology within the next 20 years?
Dr Fred Jordan: It’s obviously hard to tell, but it is reasonable to assume that if the bioprocessors can take over some tasks currently devoted to artificial neural networks, it will have a significant impact on the electric consumption induced by cloud computing, and therefore on CO2 emissions caused by the generation of related electric power.
VF: On a planet with an ever expanding population, one which is superseding the resource capacity available to it, how effective would biocomputing be in safeguarding remaining raw materials on Earth, so that their industrial extraction can be reduced, or strategically utilised to engender more sustainable, less ecologically damaging, global human infrastructure?
FJ: Our current bioprocessors approach is limited to replace some of the microprocessors. The pollution induced by those will be certainly reduced by bioprocessors, not only because no mining is required to extract materials but also because bioprocessors are 100% biodegradable.
VF: Biocomputing infers creating genetic cultures, biological materials, living tissue, synapses, nervous systems… how efficiently could these be produced (essentially, cultivated/grown) relative to the current industrial rate of output in standardized, mechanised production systems?
FJ: As far as biocomputing is concerned, not very big volumes are needed since the nervous tissue, once produced can be used for years.
VF: Science fiction has explored numerous interpretations of biocomputing: Blade Runner presented replicants – conscious, feeling organic androids, whereas Star Trek incorporated biologics into the Starship Enterprise’s circuitry systems to enhance AI feedback efficiency. Is the work of FinalSpark directly inspired by these popular culture-based speculations?
FJ: We were not inspired consciously by SF, but cannot rule out that it came to our mind(s) thanks to SF. I personally love SF, and read some every day since many years. VF: Additionally, are these two popular culture-based examples of biocomputing in fact two stages of product that FinalSpark is aiming to realise through its research, with AI bioengineered hybrid systems intended to precede the creation of an entirely synthetic, yet organic, living machine?
FJ: AI bioengineered hybrid system is indeed an objective. I am sceptical that an entirely synthetic and organic living machine makes sense, even putting ethical concerns aside.
VF: If the endgame of bioengineering is essentially the creation of a new species of organic AI lifeform, one that would logically, if self-cognizant, seek to establish internationally enshrined rights to engender its own self-preservation, what would be the primary ethical fallout of such a hypothetical future scenario?
FJ: I do not feel I have the expertise to answer this question.
VF: Does FinalSpark intend to implement biocomputing for non-terrestrial applications, such as to aid interplanetary exploration and the colonisation of nearby celestial bodies, such as the Moon and Mars?
FJ: We would absolutely love to do so if there are some advantages or organic computers compared to electronic ones.
VF: Biocomputing infers a diversity of potential applications, including human mind interfacing, for example, dramatically enhancing the effectiveness of Neuralink style brain/microchip technology… What are the risks that this could lead eventually to a new, bioengineered, partly manufactured, hybridized version of humanity, and could this new kind of human be used to sustainably redesign human civilisation?
FJ: I am sorry, but again I do not feel I have the expertise to answer this question.
VF: Could the direct splicing of bioengineered technology with human cognitive systems also lead to a plethora of severe criminal potentialities, such as the illegal hacking and control of the human mind against the will and consent of a targeted individual or even an entire society?
FJ: Same answer, sorry. This is exactly why it is interesting that people like you look into (these) questions.
VF: How can biocomputing be applied to advanced medical research, including medication development, personalised, genetic specific treatments, and in surgical/first responder trauma emergency situations?
FJ: I believe if one would have asked to the inventor of the transistor what would the applications, he would have missed the smartphone and the internet. Likewise, my answers may be very short sighted. For medication development, applications are indirect and do not come from biocomputing but from the mastering of artificial homeostatic systems for brain organoids that is required by biocomputing. The first obvious application is testing the benefits and secondary effect of drugs directly on neurons. It can also be used to develop new drugs. Also, even personalized drugs because we can now grow brain organoids with the exact DNA of the patient. There may be also some applications in brain surgery, as well as development of brain stimulators for Parkinson disease.
Here you can access the Researchgate profile of Vincent Førde: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vincent-Forde-4.