12 ways technology has you living Star Trek's future today
Think you're a Star Trek fan? In 1996, Barbara "The Commander"
Adams shocked a lot of people by showing up for jury duty in a
full Next Generation uniform, complete with Tricorder and
possibly a phaser (she would have to check the sidearm at the
door). She was very boldly trying to live in Gene Roddenberry's
vision of the 23rd and 24th centuries.  The world of 2011 may
not seem much closer to the world of Trek than 1996, but it's
actually possible for the average person to enjoy some of the
technology and indeed even the environment of Star Trek in every
day life.  While some of the future technology, like
transporters, tractor beams and cloaking devices are still in
the laboratory, below is a list of items available to the
consumer to either buy or build.   1. Laser Pistol  This
formidable-looking weapon is a closer cousin to the laser pistol
worn by Captain Pike rather than Kirk or Picard's iconic
phasers. It's hard to believe we live in an age whe