According to current technological and societal trends, we can predict some diseases that may emerge in the future.
Top 5 Strange Diseases Likely to Appear in the Near Future
Virtual Reality Addiction
In an episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, a character becomes hopelessly obsessed with the virtual experiences provided by the holodeck. In reality, virtual reality technology offers us a more compelling and controllable environment compared to real life.
Virtual reality addiction is not an unrealistic concept.
Once fully immersive virtual reality technology hits the market, people will increasingly struggle to confront reality. This technology can also facilitate “real” interactions with friends or colleagues located thousands of kilometers away.
Consequently, the impact of stepping away from the virtual environment will become a common and serious issue. Virtual reality addiction is not merely a far-fetched idea; we already have precursor syndromes such as Internet addiction and online gaming addiction.
Additionally, at present, psychologists have begun treating patients suffering from Internet addiction due to excessive use of Google Glass.
Dissociative Reality Disorder
This issue arises from virtual reality—where individuals cannot distinguish between what is real and what is not.
People suffering from this disorder will constantly question whether everything they see is the real world or merely a sophisticated replica (interestingly, as the boundaries between the virtual and the real become increasingly blurred, this distinction may become less significant).
Hemorrhagic Shock from Mechanical Grafts
Currently, we do not know how mechanical grafts will affect the human body once implanted.
Certain grafts may cause severe allergies or immune reactions, and depending on the implantation method, various complications like infections, inflammation, and pain can occur between the implant and surrounding tissues. These symptoms may also hinder normal bodily functions or trigger rejection responses.
Moreover, these grafts may deteriorate or undergo transformation, leading to toxic reactions that can be fatal, as well as various infections.
Nano Toxic Shock
Nanotechnology has the potential to disrupt human habitats from every angle—regardless of whether the outcomes are positive or negative. Currently, scientists are concerned that nano devices and materials will impact the environment. There is also much debate regarding the extent to which industrial and commercial applications of nanomaterials affect biology and the environment.
Since the materials associated with this technology are at the molecular level, humans will be exposed to these nano-pollutants, leading to a range of serious health issues, including cellular and DNA damage.
It is also worth noting that some nano devices specifically designed to enter the human body may cause serious problems, for example, poorly designed nano-robots could deliver medication to the wrong area or move erratically within the human body.
If uncontrolled, they could damage human organs, or they might begin to replicate uncontrollably, ultimately causing a Grey Goo disaster within the human body. Furthermore, mechanical implants based on nanotechnology could also trigger the aforementioned allergic reactions.
Nanotechnology has the potential to disrupt human habitats from every angle.
Grey Goo—the hypothesis of grey goo is an apocalyptic scenario related to molecular nanotechnology, in which self-replicating nano-robots consume all material on Earth to increase their numbers, a scenario referred to as “environmental consumption.”
Superintelligence-Induced Mental Disorders
We are obsessed with intelligence, so it is likely that we will use various biotechnologies, including genetic enhancements, smart drugs, and mechanical implants to enhance our cognitive abilities.
The issue is that extraordinary cognitive abilities may not be pleasant at all. The psychological traits that humans have developed over a long evolutionary process may not be able to cope with such immense intelligence.
If you truly intend to enhance your brain in this way, it is highly possible that you may develop antisocial behavior and completely lose touch with reality, including data truth delusions (Apophenia), epilepsy, information overload, anxiety, existential crises, arrogance, and disconnection from the world, among others.
Robot Obsession
In the future, some of us may develop an irrational and extreme fear of robots. This psychological barrier will blur the lines between genuine fear and pure prejudice, especially as robots increasingly integrate into our society, performing our jobs and becoming more powerful and human-like.
