# 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:** 4
**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, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/61 "2006-11-02T21:35:34Z")
[QUOTE=Count Blucher] It will be the next big thing, and I will die penniless. But I posted it here first. [/QUOTE] I hate to break this to you but I was making espresso protein shakes years ago. All it takes is a blender. ---
**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, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/62 "2006-11-02T21:50:39Z")
And meal-replacement shakes are the anti-thesis of the current “foodie” revolution. ---
**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, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/63 "2006-11-02T21:52:43Z")
[QUOTE=Uncommon Sense] I just saw that commercial, but the sound was off. Can that car really do that? [/QUOTE] Yep. God forbid anyone spends 10 minutes actually learning how to parallel park. Nah, let’s just spend an extra $2500 for the auto-park upgrade. That way we don’t have to learn anything! Excellent! :rolleyes: (that’s directed at Lexus, not you) 😉 ---
**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, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/64 "2006-11-02T22:01:46Z")
[QUOTE=McNew] Yep. God forbid anyone spends 10 minutes actually learning how to parallel park. Nah, let’s just spend an extra $2500 for the auto-park upgrade. That way we don’t have to learn anything! Excellent! :rolleyes: (that’s directed at Lexus, not you) 😉 [/QUOTE] I can’t tell you how many people’s headlights & taillights I’ve smashed out trying to parallel park my Humvee. A $2500 auto-park upgrade might actually save me money. 😉 ---
**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 3, 2006, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/65 "2006-11-03T08:43:42Z")
[QUOTE=zoid] Where the heck have you been, that’s old news. Or did you mean we won’t get in trouble for it anymore? :eek: [/QUOTE] As an Olympic sport. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/66 "2006-11-03T11:06:25Z")
Erosion mitigation. All the smart money says sea levels are gonna go up dramatically in the next few decades. Lotta rich people on the beach, wanna save their cribs. Guys that can do it will be raking it in. By the same token, real estate. Beachfront property is gonna move inland. Big time. Gangsta style. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/67 "2006-11-03T18:30:40Z")
[QUOTE=Uncommon Sense] I just saw that commercial, but the sound was off. Can that car really do that? [/QUOTE] I just saw the commercial - watch the fine print. It LITERALLY says, “Ato-Parallel parking system requires driver to brake and steer.” Wait a second - MY car does THAT. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/68 "2006-11-03T18:59:10Z")
[QUOTE=VCO3] I just saw the commercial - watch the fine print. It LITERALLY says, “Ato-Parallel parking system requires driver to brake and steer.” Wait a second - MY car does THAT. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] But in the commercial the steering wheel is spinning by itself. Hmmm, deceptive advertising. Bastages. sorry, end of hijack. ---
**Author:** ![bahia\_hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@bahia\_hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bahia_hombre)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/69 "2011-06-25T18:41:43Z")
> [@YellowTail](#): > > Not flying cars, but cars that don’t have to be driven by a human. Some of the technology required is already being put into cars like the cruise control that slows down when it senses objects in its path. A driverless car would almost eliminate accidents and highway deaths. Good call…now 8 months away: > **[No Driver? No Problem: New Law Lets Cars Drive All On Their Own](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/autonomous-vehicle-law-nevada_n_884307)** > > No Driver? No Problem: New Law Lets Cars Drive All On Their Own Sorry for the zombie; then again, not really…it’s interesting to read the predictions that were being made 5 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/70 "2011-06-25T18:59:42Z")
The only one that I saw has come true is that opinion polls are now allowed in IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![YaraMateo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/58f4c7/32.png) [@YaraMateo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaraMateo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/71 "2011-06-25T19:08:36Z")
> [@YellowTail](#): > > Not flying cars, but cars that don’t have to be driven by a human. Some of the technology required is already being put into cars like the cruise control that slows down when it senses objects in its path. A driverless car would almost eliminate accidents and highway deaths. I think Google tried this, but at the moment it’s too expensive. I will not be surprised when this happens. I bet it will be like cellphones. The first few years only the super rich had them, then they’ll mainstream. ---
**Author:** ![Dinaroozie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Dinaroozie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinaroozie)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/72 "2011-06-25T19:50:56Z")
I know this is a zombie thread, but whatever, I want to make a prediction. 🙂 Someone mentioned upthread 3D printing, and I think that’s part of it. Lots of issues have arisen from the fact that digital ‘property’ can be duplicated for free, and only recently are companies starting to find good ways to deal with this in a way that doesn’t just equate to ‘attempt to make everyone act like it’s not happening’. Whatever technology allows this ‘manufacture is free’ dynamic to spread to physical products - that’ll be the next big thing. It might be self-replicating machines, it might be some kind of grey goo style nanotech thing, it might be a more advanced form of current 3D printing tech, but whatever it is, I think that’ll be the next thing that changes the world the way the internet is doing now. Another thing that will be huge, though I don’t think it will have the same kind of world-changing social effect of the internet (or my above suggestion), is wireless energy transfer on a much bigger scale. If it ever gets to the stage that, instead of powering a light bulb at 50% efficiency like it does now, it can provide ‘power on the go’ in a way similar to what mobile internet currently does for information, that will change a lot of things. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/73 "2011-06-25T20:41:17Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Actually, a camera that can take pictures including a z-plane depth map would be really useful, and theoretically possible technology. I hope to see that happen. [Good](http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/nintendo-3ds-set-to-expand-your-gaming-horizons/) [prediction,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS) **GuanoLad.** ---
**Author:** ![bahia\_hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@bahia\_hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bahia_hombre)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/74 "2011-08-30T20:03:59Z")
> [@YaraMateo](#): > > I think Google tried this, but at the moment it’s too expensive. I will not be surprised when this happens. I bet it will be like cellphones. The first few years only the super rich had them, then they’ll mainstream. China’s working on it as well: [http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2011-08/chinese-driverless-car-travels-over-175-miles-no-gps-required](http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2011-08/chinese-driverless-car-travels-over-175-miles-no-gps-required) ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/75 "2011-08-31T17:04:57Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I hate to break this to you but I was making espresso protein shakes years ago. All it takes is a blender. Not even that; they market espresso protein powder. A shaker bottle is ideal, but you could even just stir it in a cup if you wanted to. > **[CLICK®: Best, Coffee Protein, Meal Replacement for Weight Loss Success](https://drinkclick.com/)** > > CLICK® is the original, best-selling, coffee protein meal replacement designed to boost energy, curb appetite and promote fat burning. Lose weight one delicious cup at a time with CLICK® ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/76 "2011-08-31T17:21:05Z")
Earthquakes on the east coast and ensuing tsunamis. West Virginia will be seafront property. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/77 "2011-08-31T17:22:32Z")
> [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > The only one that I saw has come true is that opinion polls are now allowed in IMHO. Video calls are also a lot more mainstream, what with Skype (which I don’t think offered video back in 2006?), FaceTime etc. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/78 "2011-08-31T20:47:15Z")
Like how nobody predicted the smartphone about, oh, 6 months before the iPhone was announced. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Melysnl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@Melysnl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melysnl)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/79 "2011-08-31T22:41:45Z")
Robots Electric cars Solar and wind power Some type of fad diet and/or pills I would like to know what company is positioning themselves to be the next Microsoft, Google, Apple, etc…? ---
**Author:** ![Bri2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/48db29/32.png) [@Bri2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bri2k)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500/80 "2011-08-31T22:46:04Z")
A really great jazz song by [Sue Hart](http://www.reverbnation.com/suehartband). Seriously, my guess is some combination of 3-D printing, nano-tech and bio-tech (plant/tech combos that can fix themselves). Bri2k [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-next-big-thing-is/378500.md?page=5)