• Tattorack@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    Well, while I agree that things are pretty shit and regressive, let’s not downplay the achievements we’ve had in the past 10 years:

    • Completion of The Standard Model of Physics with the detection of the Higgs Boson.
    • mRNA technology, which is now a serious candidate for curing HIV, and is potentially capable of being used against most viral diseases.
    • Imaging a black hole. Doing it again. Providing more proof of general relativity.
    • Measuring gravity waves. Doing it as a normal measurement now.
    • Salt batteries are finally reaching the market, which will eventually end the destructive mining and refinement of lithium.
    • The James Webb Space Telescope, which was already making breakthroughs and creating new questions within the first 3 months of activation.
    • Solar power becoming incredibly cost effective.
    • Cybernetic limbs for the physically disabled. Yes, cybernetic limbs.
    • Though overused; medication that effectively combats eating disorders.

    These are just the ones I know from the top of my head.

    • infinitesunrise@slrpnk.net
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      6 days ago

      Though overused; medication that effectively combats eating disorders.

      I’d argue underused / inappropriately prescribed by social class. There are millions who could benefit from them who have poor access, while if you have money the Rx just gets thrown readily at your feet.

    • Valmond@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      Extreme longevity shows serious advancements (but in mice only).

      Common let’s pile up some more good stuff!

    • vin@lemmynsfw.com
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      5 days ago

      Gravity waves detection and cheap solar cells are mind-blowing to me. Gravity waves for just the sensitivity achieved and solar for how rapidly it’s improved. It used be a cute technology used in calculators, impossible to match economically turning a generator or directly burning stuff, and now it’s the default first choice.

    • humanspiral@lemmy.ca
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      5 days ago

      These are monetizable inventions, that are allowed, when big money backs them. Climate fuckery threatens incumbent big money, even when it threatens the little people’s property values and cost of living.

    • webghost0101@sopuli.xyz
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      5 days ago

      I don’t want to downplay some of the amazing things in this list but i dint think the standard model of physics as made by humans can ever be completed.

      What did happen is that something like HB must exists in order to make most of other things work. Now that we know HB is verifiably real we tied up a major loose end.

      But there is still many stuff unanswered and a “complete model” would require constant revision.

      • Tattorack@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        The standard model of physics is not implying it has the answer to everything, or that there is nothing new to discover. The standard model of physics is the periodic table for fundamental particles. The bits that make up all the other parts.

        • webghost0101@sopuli.xyz
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          5 days ago

          How are you certain there are no undiscovered fundamental particles involved to quantum gravity and dark matter?

          • BanMe@lemmy.world
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            5 days ago

            The periodic table is predictive. From a few elements, the rest could be projected and expected, like the Higgs-Boson. The table makes no predictions for things we cannot measure and are in fact theoretical, like dark matter which lacks any empirical evidence. Would be awesome if it did because then it wouldn’t be theoretical anymore.

            • bunchberry@lemmy.world
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              5 days ago

              Periodic table is for atoms. I think you are mixing it up with the standard model, which is for subatomic particles.

            • webghost0101@sopuli.xyz
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              5 days ago

              Whats the difference between expecting and predicting here?

              BH was theoretical at first. The new breakthrough was empirical evidence.

              • Tattorack@lemmy.world
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                5 days ago

                Do not mix theory with hypothesis. A theory in science is a very big deal and needs a lot to be true in order to even reach theory status (which is why “string theory” isn’t a theory. More like “string idea”).