Off Topic — HabitableZone

Off Topic » in reply to Asleep at the switch

Good analysis
TB — (archived)

We're sort of "fixing things in software." However, don't assume we're at the limits in mechanical stuff, either. There are some amazing breakthroughs in things like materials and design that are still enhancing the workings of things like auto and aircraft engines.

I think one of the next big turning points will be the rise of the electric car. I'm tracking a few tech innovations that have the potential (if they pan out) to eliminate a lot of the electric car negatives. If things like the Tesla sell big (and more importantly, work as advertised), cheaper versions will follow. Most high tech sells to the rich first, which allows it to eventually become cheap enough for the rest of us.

Another advance might be low-cost solar panels. At some point, when they get cheap enough and durable enough, people will start putting them on roofs in large numbers, and then the cost-dropping will really come through. Note how this feeds into the electric transportation thing.

I've got some hopes for fusion, too, but that's just mostly wishful thinking. In the cold light of reality, nothing that is breaking through right now. I am encouraged by the money entrepreneurs are putting into it. They tend to get results sooner than government labs. This is one area where I would really like to be pleasantly surprised.

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