In the early days of rocketry, and even before, there were certainly people who could envision a future where humans travelled into space. Similarly, I'm sure there were futurists back then who could predict at least some of the changes the automobile would bring to the world. There was of course the obvious cost to society of the end of dependency on horses for transportation, and all the jobs related to that field. Some might have anticipated how the dramatic increase of mobility of labor would benefit the workforce. I doubt anyone considered the positive effect on women's equality in society, or how interstate highways systems would create an unimaginably immense economic boom. Or probably even things like traffic jams and certainly not Climate Change.

Europe's old cities were not designed for automobiles. When I was in Amsterdam the primary means of travel was bicycles. But there are newer sections of European cities that are designed around the automobile. This is an interesting topic because the cost/benefit analysis is so immense to civilization and humanity.

We're in complete agreement on guns. One thing I always ask the pro gun crowd is, what are the 2nd and 3rd words in the Second Amendment?