SCIENCE

t’s generally foolish to make firm predictions about the future, but it is becoming clear that aviation—commercial and military—may be in for a drastic overhaul in the coming decades, as electric engines and new designs demonstrate their cost efficiency in fuel expenditures and lower environmental degradation. The discussion below chiefly covers the West, but we know that Russia, easily one of the most scientifically original and creative nations in modern history, and soon China, may have their own solutions to these challenges, including the development of nuclear engines for commercial and military jets, a concept already applied by Russia to a growing number of their defensive missiles.

Towards the end of the interview Harari was asked whether he was an optimist or pessimist about where we’re headed. He answered by stating that there are things we can do to improve the situation, “although there is nothing inevitable about it”. Expressing doubts about the belief that science and technology will inevitably create a better world, Harari affirms that the science and technology guarantee only one thing. And this thing is power: “Humankind is going to become more powerful. But what to do with this power? Here we have all kinds of options. If you look back in history, sometimes people use power very wisely, and very often they misuse their power. One of the most important forces in human history is human stupidity. We should never underestimate human stupidity. When you combine the limitless resource of human stupidity with amazing new powers that humankind will gain in the 21st century, this can be a recipe for disaster”.

CHARLES GRAEBER—Allison didn’t do it all, and he didn’t do it alone. But there’s little doubt that the now 70-year-old scientist’s work tipped the balance in a 100-year scientific debate. Allison’s work cracked open the door; subsequent breakthroughs have kicked it wide. The result is a fundamental course correction in the direction of cancer research and treatment and a groundswell of scientific talent and R&D dollars being funneled into a formerly discredited field of pursuit.

The war on cancer is not over; we have not achieved a full and total cure, and so far the handful of cancer immunotherapy drugs available have demonstrated robust and durable results in a minority of patients. But we have undeniably turned a corner in our understanding of the disease—what many scientists believe to be a “penicillin moment” in our quest for the cure.

JOHN SCHOONOVER—Fossil fuel pollution kills more than three million people every year. It is a disaster in the immediate, and the mid-term. The most omnicidal culprit is coal, a major source of US electricity. In fact, the installed coal-fired electrical generation capacity is about 250.4 GW. What if Biden’s energy policy included a crash program to get rid of the coal menace starting January 20. He has two options: solar/wind or nuclear.

An examination of the reasons why modern commercial aviation, despite advances, is not much faster than planes flying 50 years ago. “Time is the enemy of the privileged few. Cost is the enemy of the masses.”