Snow tires.

No kidding?

So Paul, when are your UAV's going to replace traffic helicopters?

Who says they haven't?

We are about to sign a contract with the government for a new UAS we call "Wingman".

When the contract is signed, I'll fill you guys in...very cool stuff.

Cool. I wasn't aware. And congrats on the impending contract.

They aren't, yet...should have been in green.

Problem is UAS flight in the National Airspace and what is called, "sense and avoid". The FAA is working the problem, but is moribund. Change is hard.

"Will be" ???

Those things have been around for years.

Besides, those aren't the next BIG thing . . more like the next incremental change to an already big thing.

What if the next big thing was really nothing.

I don't need the latest and greatest computer, nor an over-complicated car with GPS, carbon body parts, 4-cams, direct injection and the like; a 3D entertainment system, an electronically shifting bicycle, or the latest fashions.

What if the next big thing was not having the next big thing?

Spot on, dd.

and the 3D entertainment systems SUCK! ...unless you like headaches. Between the flicker inducing shutter glasses and the focus that your eyes attempt on the false depth, the brain no likey.

It'd be nice if the 'next big thing' was simply enjoying the wonderful world around us for what it is, instead of trying to hide behind meaningless techno-crap that 99.9999999999% of us don't really need and ultimately just shovels more money to China in the interest of idiots chasing the latest fad in a vain attempt to think they're somehow better than their neighbors.

Kinda' what dd said. I've got pretty much all I want in life except to focus on building my own successful business and get to a point where I'm 100% debt free. The common theme here is 'be beholden to nobody'. Other than striving to attain that, I'm good and have pretty much everything I need to be happy.

Removing tatoos or just get out and hose my porch and my driveway down with my own water so my kids can play.

I saw on the Internet... the next big thing...

This stuff called "paper"

You print words on this "paper" and it will last for years!

They are even working on compiling contiguous piles of "paper" into these things call "books"

These "books" can be taken anywhere! Even on an airplane! And can be accessed while the plain is in the air!

And get this... NO BATTERIES! No power supply to lug around! These "books" can be accessed at the beach, at the park, in the wilderness, no signal required!

In the future every city will have buildings with a collection of these "books" that you can check out for free!

Can't wait for this technology to take hold! It will change the world!

The removal of the middle class from society.
When the middle class cannot borrow money, they will become poor.
We will see a tremendous gap between the wealthy and the poor.
Conspiracy of the Rich = Robert Kiyosaki, Author

Devaluation of money.

Push lawn mowers

Steve

Nanotechnology. There's a lot of talk, but I think in the next 10-15 years, at least some of the talk will actually materialize into something tangible. With luck, the things they're talking about could change our lives in a big way. Cure for cancer, process garbage, all of that sort of thing.

RFID implanted credit cards and ID markers. No more worries about leaving the wallet at home -- your money card and ID are implanted under your skin. The right fringe will complain about the location (inevitably the right hand or the forehead), but it will be so popular that everyone will adopt the technology anyway.

I also definitely see a trend towards changes in the workplace and in people's work-life balance, but I don't think it's The Next Big Thing. Corporate drones (like myself, thank you) are increasingly bucking the miserable commutes, windowless cubicles, and 24/7 Blackberry leash. Soft rebellions will occur as workers insist on more work from home. The harder rebellion will be entrepreneurs leaving the office to start businesses that work the way they've envisioned, and in workers leaving conventional cubicle farms to work for people who don't treat people like cattle. (Or at least, pretend not to treat people like cattle.)

"Green" is the next bubble; that's clear. Starbucks is selling coffee presses and mugs made from post-consumer materials -- it's a bubble. Solar and wind power are beginning to take hold in the consumer market, and I think that some of those things will provide lasting benefit as we go forward. The investor in me -- just an amateur -- recognizes that today's consumers are idiots for anything that pretends to be eco-friendly, and that this is a trend that cannot last forever.

Traffic congestion will be improved by either fewer commuters (see corporate changes, above), or by flying cars. Building more roads in highly congested areas (think I-95 between Quantico and DC) is increasingly impractical. Adding levels is similarly expensive. But if someone developed a vehicle that could fly in a semi-automatic fashion, say 30' above the normal road surface, with up/down ramps at controlled locations ...

Ok, that's all of my pondering for one morning.

Dan

Jim You suck.
My first thought was Ball bearings and I was gonna make that exact post.

That's what I'm here for, Rick. :)

My thoughts exactly.... well said P-O-P...

I think biotech is just getting started.

Growing replacement tissues, more pharma, genetic engineering, all that stuff. I know recent political changes seem like a speed bump, but I think plenty of people will pay anything [even out of pocket] to stay healthy.

Lets hope so!

One thing that I would really love to see happen is our reverting back to using nuke power. There is a new movement in New Mexico to make smaller units that will power the entire block. Situate it in the back of one yard, or central location. Cost is not that bad and you replace the rods every 10 years or so.

Would do it in a heartbeat and get away from oil, gas and so on in many aspects of my life.

That is exactly the goal my wife and I set out to achieve 4 years ago. We also went to a local economy, supporting local farmers and industries. The next big thing I see is getting off grid for utilities. Home size fuel cell electricity, wells, etc.