Plain English with Derek Thompson The Biggest Inventions of the 2020s: Cancer Vaccines, Flying Cars, Space Travel, and More
Jan 7, 2022
Eli Dourado, an economist and tech expert, joins the conversation filled with optimism about the future of innovation. He discusses the resurgence of supersonic travel and flying cars, alongside game-changing advancements in satellite technology. Dourado highlights the transformative potential of mRNA beyond vaccines, including revolutionary cancer treatments. They explore how crises like COVID-19 can accelerate medical breakthroughs and touch on innovative solutions to combat climate change, emphasizing the promise of carbon capture technologies.
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The Concorde's Failure and Supersonic Travel's Future
- Concorde failed due to limited market size and high costs.
- New supersonic travel focuses on larger markets and improved technology like lighter materials.
Flying Cars as Regional Aircraft
- Flying cars likely won't replace urban vehicles soon.
- Instead, they'll serve as regional aircraft for mid-range trips, like private jets for the masses.
Space Exploration's Unexpected Benefits
- Space exploration has led to valuable spinoff technologies like GPS and LASIK.
- Space offers a frontier for innovation, mitigating societal complacency.