Let's get started. In this heading and tag I'll try to document some of the more fantastic changes that are in store, or have already occurred, in the new Roaring '20s.
At the moment, the face of R20 2.0 is Elon Musk. There is an audience who would find that annoying, but it's really undeniable. Setting aside that he founded a successful (so far) U.S. automaker -- something that hasn't been done since...well, my lifetime, that's pretty remarkable. Then there is SpaceX, which I figured was something special when I saw the video of that rocket land perfectly vertical some years back. What has he done for us lately, you ask?
His delightfully named Boring Company just completed a functional first section of tunnel in Las Vegas. It's just a short loop around the Las Vegas Convention Center but it's a tremendous achievement as a proof of concept. Tunnels are wonderful things as they keep traffic from interference with pedestrians, and when they are operated as mass transit with autonomous electric vehicles providing the motion, it's a real step towards George Jetson. As someone who has noted in the past that Vegas infrastructure is thoroughly overwhelmed, this could be huge. IF done on a grander scale, airlines might have a viable competitor (although I may not live to see it).
Even more amazing is telekinesis. Okay, not really, but sort of. It's called "decoded neural activity." That is to say your brainwaves (so to speak) can be read and interpreted, then acted on by machine to do the actual activity. Check out this astonishing video. Effectively the monkey moves the cursor by thinking of it -- and with good accuracy. This is real science fiction level stuff. Imagine the benefit for the disabled. Imagine your dog can get his own food by thinking about being hungry. And everything in between. What was the quote about advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic? Neuralink, the company behind that video, is, naturally, Musk's.
I know many have their beefs with Elon and they may be valid, but how can you not be impressed. Go Elon.
For something a little more conceptual, here's Ted Gioia on how booms traditionally follow from pandemics. The money quote:
This is the familiar dynamic of disease and recovery that we have all witnessed firsthand with individuals. How often have you seen friends who adopt a full range of wholesome and healthy lifestyle habits while ailing, only to return to the most excessive behavior after recovery? Is it any surprise, that entire communities and societies follow the same pattern?
We are now emerging into our own post-pandemic culture, and it’s perhaps too early to see all its outlines clearly. But every sign indicates a faster revival of partying, nightlife and entertainment than the pundits predicted. And that might be just the opening stage in a larger cultural blossoming. Be prepared for something more than a mere economic boost measurable by dollars or employment or other quantitative metrics.
I'm hoping I get to write a lot more on R20 2.0.
