[jyl]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Three things come to mind right away:

1. This is really, really, really, REALLY cool, has a lot of profound implications and has the potential to revolutionize peoples' lives in wonderful, positive ways.

2. In reality, this research will die on the vine unless theres a way that it can be used to build bombs, destroy stuff or kill people. Human beings tend to not see much value in research unless it can be used to blow stuff up.

3. Humanity is a curious species - we are smart and technologically savvy enough to make discoveries like this yet we still stubbornly cling to silly ancient mysticism, religion and tribal instincts that hold us back and create an extremely dangerous situation that could very well result in our own destruction. It's strange to think that we are capable of such modern, forward-thinking brilliance yet simultaneously capable of such ignorant, barbaric and backwards thinking (and actions).

Humanity's greatest achievement will be developing the ability to overcome the increasing likelihood that it will destroy itself with its own advancements - assuming we actually succeed. I wish I could be around in 10,000 years (or however long it takes) to see how we manage to do it. I love technology but the point I'm making with my above bullet points is that with each new technological innovation (the fruit of our own intelligence) comes a new and exciting way that humanity might wipe itself out of the universe forever by using it for destruction.

We are a strange, strange species.

I think you are missing something. If we can make money on it, the research will be done.