but... The pace is still too slow.
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I know he has no reasonable control over the time-frame of the future of human exploration of space travel, but I know he is going in the right direction.
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Honestly if car companies wanted to make 100mpg cars, I'm sure they could (some people modify their hybrids to do it already). A smart company would make a more fuel efficient car in baby steps until they get to the point that technology is maxed out. That way they make more money by creating a new car model every year in what has been one of the most ridiculous business practices known to man.
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That having been said, there is a limiting factor in what a company is willing to do, and what is good for the people as a whole. I hope that these new x-prizes show companies that there are private individuals that will offer a better product and force these companies to pick up their game.
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the 1900s has seen an increase in technology that rivals the previous 500 or more years. lets hope this slow start to the 2000s isn't held back by little increases... Oh now computers have two processors... yeah they did in the 1990s too... just not every computer had two processors.

No is the biggest YES this guy has ever heard! This my friend is what being an American is all about! Go get em Pete!