What do you want to see happen in your life time?

[Aaron]

I think my idea of space elevator ties in with the moon base and mission to Mars a lot. In fact I think we almost need an elevator before getting moon bases.

Perhaps the technology could be harnessed to provide easy access to my underwater city as well.

[Enkidu]

Mars Mission, Moon bases and perhaps more importantly, fusion reactors. At least it seems hydrogen engines for cars are very close.
On a less era defining scale, I'd like to see the undisputable discovery of Earhart (and Noonan's) body and/or her plane, and the release of Duke Nukem Forever.

[Mikey]

I was going to say that I'd like to see Enkidu come back. The future is here!

[thelordharry]

....On a less era defining scale, I'd like to see the undisputable discovery of Earhart (and Noonan's) body and/or her plane....

No chance my old son, she's in the Delta Quadrant by now with Tackleberry from Police Academy.

[Enkidu]

I was going to say that I'd like to see Enkidu come back. The future is here!

That's the nicest thing anybody has said to me all week.

[Mikey]

Wow. That's the only time anybody has ever said that something I said was nice.

[SomosFuga]

Mars Mission, Moon bases and perhaps more importantly, fusion reactors. At least it seems hydrogen engines for cars are very close.
On a less era defining scale, I'd like to see the undisputable discovery of Earhart (and Noonan's) body and/or her plane, and the release of Duke Nukem Forever.

Yes; widespread, cheap, clean energy is a big thing to achieve right now.

And Starcraft 2 release.

[thelordharry]

Mars mission? Hmmmmmmm...

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090806/vid ... a0497.html

[Coalition]

Profitable hydrogen fusion.

Clean energy from a glass of water. As our supplies of oil dries up,and gas hits over $10.00 per gallon (in the United States, other areas will reach that level earlier) the switch to electric cars will accelerate. Gas stations are already supplied with electric power, and are designed to take credit card payments. Just add an induction charger to the gas pump, and presto. You pull up, do your card thing, insert the induction charger, and wait.

By using an induction charger rather than a direct connection, you are safe from getting electrocuted by the elements if it is raining.

[Captain Seafort]

Meh. I'm not at all convinced by electric cars - they take far too long to charge up to be convenient, and unless they're as convenient as modern vehicles people simply won't by them. Hydrogen fuel cells, on the other hand, are much more promising.

[thelordharry]

....insert the induction charger, and wait.......

and wait...and wait

[Teaos]

Making the batteries for electric cars are more damaging for the enviroment than runnning a Hummer.

[Foxfyre]

Manned mission to mars, return to the moon and establising a base there, and a cure for HIV and Diabetis.

[IanKennedy]

Profitable hydrogen fusion.

Clean energy from a glass of water. As our supplies of oil dries up,and gas hits over $10.00 per gallon (in the United States, other areas will reach that level earlier) the switch to electric cars will accelerate. Gas stations are already supplied with electric power, and are designed to take credit card payments. Just add an induction charger to the gas pump, and presto. You pull up, do your card thing, insert the induction charger, and wait.

and wait, and wait, and wait....

By using an induction charger rather than a direct connection, you are safe from getting electrocuted by the elements if it is raining.

No they wont. The switch to electric cars will simply not happen. There is already a car that works directly on Hydrogen and there are pumps being rolled out in California. The idea of an electric car is all well and good but there are major problems. First, they take way too long to charge. Well over 12 hours and there's no way you would want to stay at the recharging station for that long if it's not at home. The second major issue is that the battery life is way too short. You can get maybe 300 miles out of one of them. So trips would go like this:

- Charge for 12 hours
- Drive 300 miles
- Charge for 12 hours
- Driver 300 miles
etc etc etc

Simply not practical for long journeys.

With Hydrogen power you simply fill up with fuel, just like you do now, and your on your way again. This isn't fusion power either, it's a fuel cell. Hydrogen goes in one end and water comes out the other. The call puts out electricity and which is used like it is in an electric car, except there's no stupid recharging. Example

[stitch626]

I wouldn't mind a Hydrogen car... though it may be a while till they are available to the mass market.