State of the Union: Science or science fiction?

Obama's 2011 State of the Union Address    (PD)

When it comes to State of the Union promises, it

might not be so much science as a mixed bag of

politics and economics that holds us back.

Benjamin Solomon of Bloomberg reports that the past 35 years of State of the Union addresses “offer a uniquely American version of Utopia.”

This Utopia includes visions of 3D-printing

manufacturing (Obama), smart guns (Clinton),

hydrogen-fueled cars (George W. Bush), a Star-Wars type nuclear shield (Reagan), “cyborg” microchips (Clinton) and WiFi for all (Obama).

Some of these presidential pledges are well on their way to fulfillment.  In 2014, Ohio surgeons “installed a microchip in a 23-year-old man’s brain that allowed him to move paralyzed limbs.” Honda is working on a hydrogen-fueled car as we speak.  (Coming up with enough hydrogen “fill ‘er up” stations remains a whole other challenge.)  Although 100 percent WiFi still hasn’t occurred, “97 percent of American households have a wireless device.”

Smart guns, however, are an example of how that mixed bag of politics and economics can block action.  “Thanks both to the National Rifle Association and to lack of consumer interest,” guns have not grown much smarter in a real long time.  

Resources

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/we-were-promised-space-lasers-the-state-of-the-unions-biggest-fibs/ar-AA8futN

Copyright January 20, 2015 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved