Introduction

Every idea that will transform society in the next 5-10 years is already in motion.

Today we stand in astonishment with developments in AI, quantum computing, micro-nuclear, synthetic biology, digital currencies and multiplanetary habitation. But the truth of the matter is that Joseph Weizenbaum created the first chatbot Eliza in 1986. David Deutsch proposed a universal quantum computer in 1985. The Apollo Program landed on the moon in 1969. The world's first nuclear power plant to connect to an electricity grid happened in 1954. The term synthetic biology was coined in 1912, and before there was Bitcoin there was eCash, Hashcash and B-money.

Sigh.

Joseph Weizenbaum. Photo Credit: Weizenbaum Institut

For some odd 50 years, rather than exploring unknown subjects in science, the focus has been to dive deeper into established areas. Critics suggest we are stuck in an era of innovation stagnation where progress has been stymied.

One vocal critic is Peter Thiel, whose arguments typically default to regulations, sans his pronounced respect for notable developments in computer science.

Another critic is Elon Musk, who has recounted several stories ranging from being required to analyze the impact of space debris on sharks in the Pacific Ocean, to being forced by regulators to blast the ears of kidnapped seals with the sounds of sonic booms.

But now that Musk will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the political winds have changed, it appears that the overall goal is to remove unnecessary regulatory obstacles, unleash the American economy, take civilization to the next level, and usher in a new Golden Age.

At Cambridge Union, Thiel remarked: “There are all these places where the scientific establishment pushes back against excess skepticism, we don't want climate skeptics, we don't want vaccine skeptics, we don't want Darwin skeptics... you're not supposed to be skeptical and question. Give me one place where the science establishment thinks that scientists are too dogmatic, and I submit there is no place... and that itself is a tell that we are way-way in the wrong zone and somehow lost the thread."

The New York Times’ magazine cover on March 29, 2009 — *The New York Times’* magazine cover on March 29, 2009

Just like Galileo and Copernicus, or even Freeman Dyson who was labeled “The Global-Warming Heretic” on The New York Times’ magazine cover on March 29, 2009, there’s no doubt that there are maverick thinkers in-and-outside the walls of business and academia.

Perhaps by empowering these skeptics, “the crazy ones,” those critical thinkers who question the status quo, a new golden tomorrow of peace and prosperity can emerge.

We shall see.

Sources:

Joseph Weizenbaum:

https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.16244

https://www.weizenbaum-institut.de/en/institute/our-guiding-principles/about-joseph-weizenbaum/

https://web.stanford.edu/class/cs124/p36-weizenabaum.pdf

David Deutsch:

https://www.daviddeutsch.org.uk/wp-content/deutsch85.pdf

https://royalsociety.org/people/david-deutsch-11329/

The Apollo Program:

https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-kids-and-students/what-was-the-apollo-program-grades-5-8

Nuclear Plant Connected to Grid: