# What do you think the "Next Big Thing" is? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 30, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500 "2006-10-30T23:01:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/41 "2006-11-02T11:55:30Z")
[QUOTE=Seven] Hmmm? Might be a good investment. [/QUOTE] I hear good things about these newfangled “Telephones” things, and something called “Electricity”, as well. 😉 Seriously, though, I foresee Space Tourism as really taking off (giving us those Holiday Inns on the moon and Pan Am Clipper spacecraft we were all promised), the development of an Electric Car that doesn’t seem to combine the worst elements of Tree Huggery, Girly-Girlism, and Wussery in its design, and, jokes aside, I suspect that Laser Death Rays will be a reality in the foreseeable future as well. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/42 "2006-11-02T12:31:13Z")
Public masturbation. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/43 "2006-11-02T16:49:36Z")
[QUOTE=jimmmy] 25-50 years … and then beyond : Meta-humans humans genetically engineered at first to be “designer babies” genetically engineered at first to be smarter, live longer, be taller and disease resistant and heaven knows what else eventually [/QUOTE] So you’re saying that the Eugenics Wars are just around the corner? ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/44 "2006-11-02T16:55:22Z")
Ballbearings. It’s gonna be all about ballbearings. You just wait and see. ---
**Author:** ![LionelHutz405](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lionelhutz405/32/536_2.png) [@LionelHutz405](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LionelHutz405)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/45 "2006-11-02T17:41:12Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] Neither do motorcycles, and they’re popular. [/QUOTE] For next big thingness, I was thinking a mode of transportation has to be used to commute to work. Otherwise it’s impact is just too small to be considered a ‘big thing’. Only a few people use motorcycles to get to work and nobody does in places that don’t have year-round good weather. And you look cool on a motorcycle, not dorky, so I don’t think it’s the dork factor that is stopping people from using Segways. ---
**Author:** ![LionelHutz405](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lionelhutz405/32/536_2.png) [@LionelHutz405](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LionelHutz405)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/46 "2006-11-02T17:52:26Z")
[QUOTE=Tomcat] Having corn grow in poor soil with tiny amounts of water and highly resistent to pests will accomplish this. [/QUOTE] That’s just growing more food. Hell of a jump from that to ‘eliminating hunger’. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/47 "2006-11-02T18:26:32Z")
This is more of an evolution than a revolution, but I think cell phones will evolve into true wearable computers. Wireless networks are becoming faster and more widespread; cell phones are already evolving into portable computers. People already wear cell phone headsets on their ears. All we need now is an ultra-portable display device, possibly a heads-up display built into (or made to resemble) eyeglasses. With voice recognition or pocket-sized wireless keyboard, it will be able to do everything a PC can. With broadband access it can also replace the TV. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/48 "2006-11-02T18:45:38Z")
[QUOTE=AskNott] So, we have made the hot occupations… audiologists. Hearing impairment has gone from a fringe business to a very big deal, so development of hearing aids and implants is on the front burner. [/QUOTE] I brought your post to the attention of my wife, who is an audiologist who also works for a hearing aid manufacturer. Interestingly, while she questions hearing aids as the “next big thing” as compared to some of the other suggestions made in this thread, she did point out that development of hearing aids and hearing aid technologies has been on the front burner for a long time. Part of it is indeed the harm done to their ears by the Baby Boomers and subsequent generations. She is seeing younger and younger patients all the time, and in most cases, it is due to the loudness of the music they listen to. Without digressing into specifics of the sound pressure that an IPod can put out as compared to, say, a jackhammer or a drag race-car’s engine (which my wife also cited but which I cannot remember right now), she notes that like other technologies, hearing aids are: – Getting smaller all the time–“completely in [the ear] canal” hearing aids (CICs) have been available for some time. “Behind the ear” ones (BTEs) are still common, though. – Taking advantage of digital technology. Ten years ago or so, all hearing aids were analog. Now, you cannot find an analog one. – Programmable (using a PC connected to them) to meet the patient’s specific hearing loss. Highs, lows, in between, or any combination of missing frequencies. Other features include the ability to discriminate against background noise. Given these advances (among many others) in hearing aid technology, she also notes that “the next big advancement” in them will probably be in convergence technology: that is, your hearing aid will incorporate advances in other fields. For example, your hearing aid might also be your cellphone, and/or your GPS, and/or your IPod, and/or something else. Those are only examples and are a ways off–but such convergences are currently being researched. If we get to that point with all those capabilities, my wife agrees that we might well be looking at the “next big thing.” But for now, even with hearing aids much improved over the last ten years and continuing to improve, she doesn’t see them as the next big thing as long as all they do is improve the patient’s hearing. She was glad to hear that somebody thought so, though. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/49 "2006-11-02T19:02:21Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Public masturbation. [/QUOTE] Where the heck have you been, that’s old news. Or did you mean we won’t get in trouble for it anymore? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/50 "2006-11-02T19:30:30Z")
I predict a quasi-luxury car company, like maybe Lexus, will come up with a car that parallel parks itself. You know, something everyone really needs. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/51 "2006-11-02T19:44:20Z")
I just have to point out that the Google ads for this thread are: 1-“the coming World War”—at nostradomusOnline.con 2- “the Mark of the beast” 3- the Antichrist 4-"Biblical prophecy -from “World’[slastchance.com](http://slastchance.com)”–(now _that’s_ a great name isnt it?) So according to Google, the “next big thing” is apparently gonna be _big_ ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/52 "2006-11-02T19:47:21Z")
I think rapid prototyping and 3D printing could be the next big thing, perhaps combined with nano and medical technology. Imagine if you didn’t need to go to the store anymore. You could just download the specs for what you want and “print” it at home. The doctor could culture some of your tissues and “print” you a replacement organ. It could almost be like having one of those “replicators” on Star Trek. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/53 "2006-11-02T20:01:23Z")
I think the next big things will involve Nanotube technology. Bio-Diesal can be huge. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/54 "2006-11-02T20:11:25Z")
I would imagine that when they fianlly manage to place a computor _inside every house_ that it will profoundly effect our lifestyles. Imagine the ease of balancing checkbooks, filing recipes and playing chess with an _electronic brain_ assisting you. Why, there’d be more time to spend outdoors meeting people and exercising! ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/55 "2006-11-02T20:30:05Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Something like video telephony. We are, above all else, a species that loves to communicate. We live and breath to communicate. And communication has a large visual component that we’re missing when we e-mail or talk on the phone. [/QUOTE] [TelePresence](http://cisco.com/telepresence) ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/56 "2006-11-02T20:57:45Z")
I think we are about due to find a good and cheap form of alternative fuel. I think within the next 10 to 20 years we will wean ourselves off fossil fuels and onto something cheaper and more environmentally friendly. We have been talking about it for a long time but I think the tipping point is almost here, and with hybrid cars starting to take off and become mainstream I think we are close. People are starting to realize that gas is not the only option, and we have political reasons to get away from this as well. I think technology is finally going to catch up here and we will come up with something. It’s almost crazy how fast technology is taking off. There is new stuff every year now that you could hardly even dream of just 5 years earlier. Our generation is becoming used to change and adapting to new technology every few years. I really think we will see explosions in advancement in medical fields as well, cures for diseases, but also new diseases. Maybe the next big thing will be another plague. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/57 "2006-11-02T21:09:05Z")
[QUOTE=McNew] I predict a quasi-luxury car company, like maybe Lexus, will come up with a car that parallel parks itself. You know, something everyone really needs. [/QUOTE] I just saw that commercial, but the sound was off. Can that car really do that? ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/58 "2006-11-02T21:13:26Z")
The Celestial Jukebox. Walkmen and IPods and downloadable digital music are just baby steps. Imagine an iPod with wireless, connected to a database of every single song, audio clip, radio show, sound file, podcast, every sound that has ever been recorded since the beginning of sound recording. Heck, include live feeds from every live microphone anywhere in the world. You pay for it via a monthly subscription. Say $30.00. Rather than downloading files to a hard-drive you just have a playlist, or a [Pandora.com](http://Pandora.com) style set of parameters. Then once the audio business model proves itself, video on demand. Of everything. Including live feeds from every networked video surveillance camera in the world. And video cameras and other sensors will be so cheap that just about every consumer item will include one. ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/59 "2006-11-02T21:26:28Z")
Sucessful penis enlargement. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2006, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/60 "2006-11-02T21:27:33Z")
I don’t know why I’m posting this. I’m sure Starbucks and Braun will steal it shortly and that will be that. Its a nefarious product, designed to help people work longer and harder, so I’m sure it will be stolen promptly. For various reasons, I have to drink a protien drink every day. They are, by and large, Yucky…but medically necessary. I choose to drink the chocolate flavored ones as to me they are the least wretch-worthy. As a choice, I also drink one cup of coffee every day. So one day I’m looking at my coffee…and I’m looking at my protien drink…and I’m thinking “Trask…Radio…Trask-Radio”, which is sad because I can’t ever seem to get over Melanie Griffith. The coffee-mixture would have to have preset sweetness levels added to make it more pallatable; the same with the milk supplement. So this thick protein-coffee (‘proto-coffee’?) would be made in and dispensed out of special machines from Starbucks…but semi expensive ones could be bought for the home. Machines that might be marketed and sold by the same people who bring you expersso and capucino machines. Employers will want commercial grade ones: who doesn’t want strong long-working employees? It will be the next big thing, and I will die penniless. But I posted it here first. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500.md?page=4)