Technologies That Could Save the Economy

MIT asks a range of in-house experts to provide tech-based solutions to our economic woes

By Gregory Mone Posted 05.29.2008 at 12:34 pm 3 Comments

May I Revive Your Economy? 20th Century Fox

Faith in the U.S. economy is dwindling these days, but a number of future-focused scientists and engineers say we shouldn't give up hope, since technology could resuscitate our flagging business world.

MIT asked a number of its experts to weigh in on which game-changing technologies could bring the U.S. economy back to its feet. The topics range from the merging of bioengineering and alternative energy to life extension and sustainable cities. Computer scientist Rodney Brooks is counting on capable robots to carry us into a more productive future. He thinks robotics is poised for a boom comparable to the PC industry. Sure, he's a founder of I, Robot, so he's got an interest in making that sort of prediction, but he's probably got a point, too.

Check some of the other viewpoints here.

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3 Comments

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SkipM

05/29/08 at 10:38 pm

If thin film solar panels can become a reality and I can put them on my roof to save energy I will have almost $300 dollars a month of disposable income. If alternative fuels or electric cars become a reality, I will add an additional $200 a month, that's $500 dollars a month of disposable income that I can save, spend or invest. Multiply that by millions of Americans and that will be a real boost to the economy.

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crash23000

05/30/08 at 2:14 am

@SkipM,

Whats the difference between paying the electric bill and paying for gas or spending it somewhere else. Is it not the same money being spent either way, how does that boost the economy, when you are only changing what your money is being spent on instead of the quantity?

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jamesbrett12

05/30/08 at 4:10 am

Energy companies are multinational business's (usually originating in Europe) who are floated on the stock exchange. The profits they make are split to investors worldwide. 'Disposable income' is spend in your local stores boosting the economy of the US instead of the rest of the world.