About soap bubbles

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The media is making a big fuss about several topics that touch on areas of technology that are close to my heart. Among them are artificial intelligence, colonization of Mars, and thermonuclear fusion. Recently, another topic has been added – liquid salt thorium reactors. The growing information brings to mind soap bubbles. On the outside, they look impressive – after all, we are talking about technologies on the edge of scientific and technological progress that promise unheard-of benefits for humanity. And for the sake of these benefits, huge amounts of money and material resources are invested in the corresponding R&D, i.e. inflating the bubbles. Large teams of talented people are involved in the work. But inside an ordinary soap bubble, as we know, there is nothing.

It is difficult to say whether all these investments and efforts are in vain. The topics are so complex and undeveloped – both scientifically and in engineering terms – that their implementation will require decades. Moreover, success is not guaranteed. And if so, then work requires silence, not fuss. I'm not at all sure that it's worth giving priority to developing these topics. The resources in question could be used to solve pressing problems: pollution of the oceans and land, desertification, hunger, diseases, conflicts. Why strive to Mars – an extremely hostile environment for humans, when we cannot cope with the problems on our own planet? For the sake of investments that can be received during life and which will not have to be repaid? For the sake of satisfying the vanity of some individuals?