Faster, Please!

Faster, Please! explores the nexus of technological innovation, economic growth, and societal progress, focusing on the optimistic outlook towards future advancements. It examines the role of technology, policy, and culture in addressing challenges like AI development, energy sustainability, global fertility rates, and economic productivity to foster a pro-progress future.

Technological Innovation Economic Growth Societal Progress Artificial Intelligence Sustainability Global Fertility Rates Productivity and Automation Science Fiction and Future Forecasting Policy and Regulation Humanoid Robots Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Energy Revolution

The hottest Substack posts of Faster, Please!

And their main takeaways

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #22

639 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy Economic Policy Political trends Environmental Issues Technology Policy
  1. A semiconductor plant in Arizona is performing better than one in Taiwan, which is good news for US manufacturing growth. This means the US is making strides in producing important tech products domestically.
  2. Construction productivity is struggling, showing negative growth for decades. Long approval times and strict regulations are hurting the industry's efficiency.
  3. More Democrats are starting to support nuclear power as a cleaner energy source. This shift is important for addressing climate change and meeting energy demands, as even major tech companies back nuclear projects.

⚠ How disruptive would a Chinese invasion of Taiwan be?

456 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations Geopolitics Military Strategy Economic Impact Government Policy
  1. An invasion of Taiwan by China could disrupt global stability and economic growth. It might create fear and uncertainty, much like we saw in past wars.
  2. There's concern that the potential conflict could end the current positive economic trends we are experiencing, especially with advancements in technology and AI.
  3. Different possible scenarios of military action by China have been analyzed, showing various levels of impact on the economy. Understanding these scenarios can help us prepare for the future.

😨 How the Crisis Decade set the stage for an Up Wing 21st Century

548 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Debate Economic Growth Technological progress Historical Analysis Future outlook
  1. The 2010s were tough due to a financial crisis and slow recovery, but they set the stage for future progress. People were worried about jobs and the economy, but good changes were coming.
  2. Despite the problems of the Crisis Decade, new technologies and ideas are emerging that can improve our future, like advancements in AI and space exploration. These are exciting challenges for policymakers to tackle.
  3. Many people felt hopeless during the 2010s, but this period showed that sometimes, after tough times, we can find a path to growth and opportunity. It's important to remember that there can be light after darkness.

✨ What we know about AI and the economy ... so far, at least

639 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
💼 Business Economy Investment Technology Job Market
  1. AI investment is growing, especially in chip companies, and is expected to continue rising in the future.
  2. Only a small number of companies are currently using AI, but many are looking to invest more in it despite some concerns.
  3. AI is starting to influence the job market, with more openings in AI-related fields, but it's not a major cause of layoffs yet.

🚀 SpaceX is making a space Mayflower voyage possible

456 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🔬 Science Space Exploration Astrobiology Physics Technological Innovation Engineering
  1. SpaceX is making space travel cheaper and more accessible, which could allow for new settlements in space. This change could make colonizing asteroids a real possibility.
  2. NASA's Artemis program has spent a lot of money without achieving its goals, raising questions about its effectiveness. Some people believe that commercial companies like SpaceX could do these missions more efficiently and at lower costs.
  3. The idea of colonizing other planets can be compared to historical migrations on Earth, showing that private ventures may succeed better than expensive government projects. Learning from past colonization might help humanity settle in space.
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☢️ Germany’s lost nuclear decade: A Quick Q&A with … energy researcher Jan Emblemsvåg

365 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Nuclear power Renewable Energy Environmental Impact Policy decisions
  1. Germany's decision to move away from nuclear power has resulted in significant financial losses and missed opportunities for cleaner energy. They could have saved a lot of money while maintaining their energy production.
  2. Public fear from past nuclear disasters, like Chernobyl and Fukushima, greatly influenced Germany's reluctance to rely on nuclear energy. This created strong political pressure against it over the years.
  3. Recently, there are signs that Germany might reconsider its stance on nuclear power due to rising energy costs and the diminishing influence of anti-nuclear political parties. Changes could happen in future elections.

✨🤖 Elon Musk's true economic vision was on display at 'We, Robot'

548 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Entrepreneurship Clean Energy Automation
  1. Elon Musk believes in combining technology, clean energy, and business to create a better future. He thinks this approach can lead to more abundance instead of scarcity.
  2. At the recent 'We, Robot' event, Tesla revealed its first fully autonomous vehicle, the Cybercab, showcasing a shift towards robotics and AI.
  3. Musk is optimistic that robots and self-driving cars could greatly increase Tesla's value, projecting it might reach $30 trillion in the future.

⏩ Trump’s 3% growth challenge

274 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Growth Policy Regulations Finance
  1. Scott Bessent wants to boost the economy by achieving a 3% growth rate, reducing the federal budget deficit, and increasing oil production. This approach is part of a bigger plan for economic improvement.
  2. Historically, the US economy grew at over 3% after World War II, but recent growth has been slower. Bessent’s goal is to restore that higher growth rate.
  3. The challenge for Bessent and Trump is that the current US GDP growth has been a full point less than the historical average this century.

⚛☢ Here's what can end the nuclear renaissance, according to America's biggest bank

456 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Energy Nuclear AI Environment Security
  1. Nuclear power is being considered more seriously because it can produce a lot of clean energy, which is important in addressing climate change.
  2. The need for energy security has increased, especially after events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, making nuclear power a valuable option.
  3. Small modular reactors (SMRs) may solve key issues like high costs and slow construction times in the nuclear industry, potentially leading to a significant upgrade in energy capacity.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #19

548 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Development Nuclear Energy Data Centers
  1. Nvidia is looking at nuclear power to help run its AI data centers. This could help with energy shortages as the demand for electricity grows.
  2. NASA and other organizations are working on new technologies to detect and deflect dangerous asteroids. This is important for protecting Earth from potential impacts.
  3. There are criticisms of populist economic policies like trade protectionism and industrial policy. These ideas can hinder progress and innovation in the economy.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #21

456 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
💼 Business Economics Technology Energy Innovation Market Trends
  1. Google is making seven small nuclear reactors to power its AI data centers. This is a big step for clean energy in tech, aiming for carbon-free power by 2035.
  2. The US economy is doing really well compared to other rich countries. It's growing faster and has better output per person than places like Europe and Japan.
  3. SpaceX successfully caught a returning rocket in mid-air. This shows how technology can make amazing ideas a reality.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #20

456 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade policy Nuclear Energy Economic Growth Populism Technology Policy
  1. Free trade is good for the economy because it helps increase productivity and wages. Even if it disrupts some jobs, the overall benefits are greater.
  2. Tech companies are starting to embrace nuclear energy to power their data centers. This move aims to cut carbon emissions and manage rising energy demands.
  3. Despite economic challenges, the American system has shown resilience. The economy has adapted and grown stronger after tough times like the financial crises.

✨ The future of AI and the US economy, according to Goldman Sachs

365 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
💼 Business Economics Finance Technology Market Trends Productivity
  1. Goldman Sachs sees AI improving productivity, but not as a big game changer right away. They think its impact will be more like the rise of personal computers and the internet.
  2. While AI might boost GDP growth in the coming years, it will mostly help with efficiency by automating easier tasks. The real economic benefit might take some time to show up.
  3. There’s a lot of uncertainty about how AI will play out, with both potential upsides and realistic challenges. Many companies are testing AI, but significant impacts may still be a few years away.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #23

274 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
💼 Business Economy Innovation Technology Healthcare Energy
  1. The US economy is doing really well, growing almost 3% this past year. This growth is mainly due to increased productivity and low inflation, making it a strong economy overall.
  2. Advancements in technology have made the US oil and gas industry the most productive in the nation. New methods in drilling and efficiency are helping keep energy prices low and the economy strong.
  3. A new AI app called Death Clock can predict how long you'll live and offer tips to improve your health. This app uses a lot of research to give personalized recommendations for a better, longer life.

✨ The impact of AI and jobs: A Quick Q&A with … Daniel Rock of the Wharton School

274 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Work Innovation Economics Automation
  1. AI could become a general-purpose technology if it applies widely across many industries and leads to real changes in how we work. We need to see if it really changes innovation in significant ways.
  2. Many jobs could be affected by AI tools, with some reports suggesting that up to 46% of jobs could see more than half their tasks impacted. This shows how powerful AI might be in the workplace.
  3. It's likely that using AI will change not just individual tasks but also how organizations operate and make decisions. This means workplaces will need to adjust to new ways of working.

💡 My Quick Q&A with … data scientist Hannah Ritchie on building a sustainable planet

1919 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Technology Plastics Climate change Optimism
  1. The technologies needed for a sustainable planet are already available, they just need to be deployed at scale.
  2. Most of the crucial technologies like solar, wind, and batteries are already there, but some sectors still require more work.
  3. We are just at the beginning of deploying sustainable technologies, and there is room for significant progress in bending the curve down further.

👴👵🤖 Humanity’s Great Fight for the Future: Demographics vs. AI

1370 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Demographics Economy Future scenarios Automation
  1. There may be a tug-of-war between AI-led productivity gains and the budget impacts of retirees and falling population growth.
  2. The analysis examines key megatrends like technology, demographics, fiscal deficits, globalization, and energy transitions.
  3. Two scenarios are presented: One where aging population and retirees limit growth, and another where productivity surges through AI-led automation.

⏩🔬 Good news: We know how to accelerate the US economy

1188 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
💼 Business Economics Policy AI Health Clean Energy
  1. Increasing public money for R&D can boost business productivity and private sector investment.
  2. Historically, technological innovation and public R&D have played a significant role in driving economic growth.
  3. There is a correlation between higher public investments in nondefense R&D and long-term increases in total factor productivity (TFP) in the business sector.

🚀🌑 America finally returns to the Moon

1005 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🔬 Science Clean Energy AI Robotics Health
  1. America's return to the Moon was achieved by a private company, Intuitive Machines, marking a significant milestone since Apollo 17 in 1972.
  2. Despite landing challenges, NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative with private companies like Intuitive Machines shows promise for the future of lunar missions.
  3. The possibility of NASA partnering with private companies for lunar missions can lead to cost-effective space travel and accelerated technological advancements similar to those depicted in sci-fi series like For All Mankind.

🤔⤴ What's so conservative about conservative futurism?

913 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conservatism Futurism
  1. The concept of 'conservative futurism' combines traditional conservative values with a focus on progress and optimism for the future.
  2. Key aspects of this ideology include upholding classical liberal values, enabling social mobility, trusting free markets and limited government, and prioritizing individual freedom and economic liberty.
  3. Some conservatives criticize this approach, preferring a return to a past without modern technological advancements or global changes.

🧪⚛🧬 Broken promises: CHIPS Act funding for science research falls short

822 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Research Economics Policy AI Health
  1. Despite promises made in the CHIPS and Science Act, Congress significantly underfunded key agencies and programs for scientific research, hindering progress in fields like artificial intelligence.
  2. Investment in basic scientific research, often a public good with long-term benefits beyond immediate financial gains, is essential for innovation and societal advancement.
  3. Government-funded R&D has historically played a crucial role in business sector productivity growth, supporting the argument for increased federal spending on research and development.

🌎⏩ How fast can the global economy grow?

822 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Economic Growth Artificial Intelligence Global Economy Science fiction
  1. The concept of the Singularity involves rapid technological advancements leading to an unimaginable surge in economic growth.
  2. The idea of exponential economic growth can be challenging to comprehend, similar to how residents of a two-dimensional world might struggle to imagine a three-dimensional object.
  3. Exploring historical precedents can offer insights into more feasible scenarios for economic growth.

🎦🌌 Dystopian Hollywood vs. a tech-optimist, Up Wing future

731 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Film Technology Society Future Entertainment
  1. Popular sci-fi often portrays new technology harming humanity instead of helping, reflecting societal concerns and fears.
  2. Science fiction has shifted from optimistic visions of the future to dystopian and pessimistic outlooks, impacting our ability to strive for a better future.
  3. Movies and entertainment choices can reflect our core values and beliefs, influencing the success of different types of films in varying markets.

🤖👷‍♂️ Beyond disruption: AI, expertise, and the future of middle-class workers

822 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Jobs Artificial Intelligence Automation
  1. Tech progress involves creative destruction - some jobs are lost, but new ones are created, especially in AI-related fields.
  2. Advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping the workforce as companies invest in AI systems and technologies.
  3. The impact of AI on the job market is a big question for the future - will it lead to widespread technological unemployment or follow historical patterns of job creation and loss?

💥💥 Two takes on America’s emerging (maybe) productivity boom

822 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💰 Finance Economics AI Policy Clean Energy
  1. There are signs of a significant economic transformation with productivity growth outpacing historical averages.
  2. The American economy may be experiencing a new productivity boom, setting it apart from other advanced economies.
  3. The recent productivity upshift is likely a response to a tight hiring environment, prompting firms to boost efficiency and automation.

🤖⚡ Does AI use too much energy? A Quick Q&A with … policy analyst James Broughel

822 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Energy Policy Renewables Tech industry
  1. Critics think AI consumes a significant amount of energy, comparable to whole countries.
  2. There's a risk of AI's energy consumption becoming a political issue, akin to past debates around cryptocurrency.
  3. Leading tech companies are working to use renewable energy sources to power AI, reducing potential worries about its energy usage.