[alexgmcm]

It's weird that people seem incapable of being optimistic about scientific and technological progress unlike say in the 50's where it seemed many genuinely believed we would explore space and have robots etc.

Now people just try to malign AI, genetic engineering, nuclear power etc.

[jf-]

It’s not unreasonable to be cautious. Nuclear accidents did happen, which is what lead people to fear nuclear power, even if it is safer than the public realises. Not barging full speed ahead into unknown technologies with large downside potential is only sensible.

[ogrisel]

The public is also afraid of nuclear technology because of nuclear weapons used to destroy the cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a single bomb each time.

[snovv_crash]

I would argue that the weaponization of nuclear power, and a generation growing up with nuclear bomb drills, was what drove the fear of nuclear. Before that people were putting it in their toothpaste.

[jcims]

There seems to be a trend of indulging in oppressive fantasy.

Maybe it balances out any irrational exuberance about the arrival of new technological frontiers. Or maybe some folks are just grumpy.

[baq]

the danger is when greed takes over e.g. as can be seen with social networks - an useful tool being milked in such a way that makes societies crack at their foundations. custom design of proteins could be used to treat and cure most diseases, but curing doesn't earn as much money and treating.

[taneq]

New science is always scary, and the better it works the scarier it is.