Last night I watched what is basically a horrible movie about Nikola Tesla. It's a VHS transfer to DVD that is so horrible it even rewinds for 30 seconds during the movie, then continues to play. However, I loved it. Here's why. When watching the movie, I quickly remembered all of the things that Nikola invented and worked on. You know, basic things like AC current, X-rays, remote control, and radio (some argue Marconi stole that) to name a few. The movie was from 1985 even though the DVD shows 2003. Here's the interesting part. During much of the movie Nikola remarks about how the biggest problem to face the earth is energy. He talks about using energy that is not harmful to the world. That if we continue to use the current forms of energy future generations would suffer because we're doing things to the planet that are unnatural. He thinks that we should harness the energy that is already present in world and use that (Specifically they alluded to his use of the ionosphere and the fact that the earth is a conductor). In the movie J.P. Morgan is upset with the idea because if energy was free to everyone, then that means he can't sell it. If you believe in global warming, and you've paid at least $4.00/gallon at the pump you might agree that both Tesla and Morgan were right.
This movie also made me think of several other things. During this period in history we saw tremendous innovation in The United States. Things were invented that changed the entire world. I don't think I've seen anything that matches the level of discovery in my lifetime. Sure, I have a computer and a cell phone, and arguably these have a global impact. But they are also just improvements on already existing inventions and discoveries. So I ask myself where have all the Edison's Tesla's and Einstein's gone? Are we no longer introducing great scientists into the world? Have they decided to pursue science in other nations? Or are we just like those in the movie who didn't understand Tesla and dismissed his claims thinking he was a lunatic? What is out there to be discovered? Who is working on it? Is bioengineering the next great frontier? What great discovery will make tomorrow completely different from all of our collective yesterdays?
