Top 5 Sci-fi Gadgets I’d Like to Own

Who doesn’t love all the wonderful gadgets and toys that sci-fi has for us?  They’re cool, innovative and on occasion real, or soon will be.  Here in no particular order are the Top 5 Sci-Fi Gadgets I’d Like to Own:

Fans of Doctor Who will recognize the iconic Sonic Screwdriver.   It slices, dices, repairs, scans and does just about anything the Doctor needs it to.  Except for wood.  It doesn’t do wood.  Writer Stephen Moffat described the Sonic Screwdriver as the device that gets the Doctor through doors.  It essentially lets the Doctor do what he does best: be the hero.  It’s the ultimate multi-tool and is one of the coolest ideas ever.  Think of an entire tool box, lock pick kit, computer, scanning equipment, and just about any other tool you can think of, compacted into a rod that fits comfortably in your jacket pocket.  Anyone would want one or could use one.  Except for carpenters.   They’ll have to use the next item.

The Power Rings of Green Lantern fame are basically the next step up from the Sonic Screwdriver.  They can do just about anything the user wants, depending on their emotional state.  I’m including all the Corps’ rings because while they all have the same basic function, physical manifestation of internal emotions, each one can do specific things based on their emotions.  Blue can heal; violet can show love, etc.  The rings also are used as translator, FTL travel devices, mini-computers, and weapons.  And to be honest, who hasn’t wanted a Power Ring?   Well except Batman.

Teleporters would completely revolutionize the way people view the world.  Today it’s easier than ever for the average person to travel the globe thanks to revolutions in travel.  But you still have to deal with lines, travel time, and airport security.  Teleporters would eliminate all that crap!  Who hasn’t been in the middle of a long car or plane ride and just wanted to be at their destination without having to actually travel?  I know I have.  If there’s one piece of tech that I’m eagerly anticipating, it’s teleporters.  Well, maybe third generation.  I wouldn’t trust the first few models.

Holograms in Star Trek always amused me.  It seemed like the final form of video games unless they find a way for you to play them with your mind in your mind.  Think of the possibilities.  Any story, any setting you want you can have in a fully immersive and interactive world.  It’s LARPing but with better graphics.  It’s wish fulfillment in its purest form.  Everybody has wanted to be a character in a story at some point.  With the Holodeck from you can be.

Cybernetics represents many things to people.  They represent the possible future of humanity as a species.  They’re the next step in the human evolutionary ladder.  And to be frank, they’re pretty cool.  I mean, laser eyes, enhanced reflexes and muscles, and brains hooked up to the internet all seem pretty cool to me.   Cybernetics is a way of humans melding with the technology they have created.  As long as we all don’t start saying “Resistance is futile,”  I think we’re good.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Friday Fiction: Snowfall In The Living Room
• “It Came From The Archives” Doctor Who Special Reviews: The Church on Ruby Road
• Review: Lucky Girl, How I Became A Horror Writer by M. Rickert
• Friday Fiction: Frozen Army
• Foundations: The 5 Best Artifact Cards