Mars Colonies or Counting Ads?

In an article exploring the slow progress in solving major societal challenges since the PC revolution, Edward Hsu argues that the focus has shifted from applied science innovations to connectivity-driven innovations due to faster monetization cycles and media attention. He attributes the stagnation in applied science to complex problems, economic constraints, and outdated computing approaches in high-performance computing (HPC). However, Hsu highlights a shift as cloud computing begins to accommodate HPC workloads, allowing applied science innovations to gain the same momentum as connectivity-driven ones. This change is exemplified by companies like Boom Supersonic and Nissan adopting cloud-based HPC solutions, promising a more balanced future for technological advancements despite the persisting challenges of policy and ideology.