Stable, scalable fusion power systems. Humanity grows when able to access new sources of energy. Safe, “limitless” power could help lift billions of people out of poverty. It’s always a decade away though, so maybe near future!
Long nuclear
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OP said sci-fi, not fantasy, and fusion has expensive fuel. Anyway, if you want cheap, abundant energy, you will be thrilled to learn there is an incredible thing called nuclear fission whose growth has only been hampered by evil governments. Moreover, if you are concerned with billions of impoverished people, there's this thing called Bitcoin you're gonna love.
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I’ve heard of bitcoin before.
Unfortunately the incorrect belief that fission is unsafe holds it back for the general public. Maybe that will change. Unfinished (so maybe science fiction?) later gen fission reactors can be wonderful, the tide might change where that could be viable.
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