{"id":14437,"date":"2014-04-17T06:00:59","date_gmt":"2014-04-17T11:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/"},"modified":"2024-04-14T03:22:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T08:22:39","slug":"from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/04\/17\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"From teleportation to robot servants: Americans\u2019 predictions and dreams for the future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Will science fiction become reality? - BBC News\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/i4Dse6Jq494?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Americans see the next half-century as a period of profound scientific change, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2014\/04\/17\/us-views-of-technology-and-the-future\/%20\">new Pew Research Center survey<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0partnership\u00a0with\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.smithsonian.com\/scifipoll\">Smithsonian Magazine<\/a>, but they don&#8217;t agree on what will or won&#8217;t come to pass, and whether certain future developments would have a positive or negative impact on society. Here are some key findings from the survey:<\/p>\n\n<figure><a href='https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"161\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?w=161\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium not-transparent\" alt=\"Civil Rights: Wide racial divides persist over fair treatment of blacks\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png 301w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=161,300 161w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=160,298 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=218,405 218w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=200,372 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=260,484 260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 161px) 100vw, 161px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"e7eeed\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e7eeed;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_257851\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-257851\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/04\/17\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/ft_14-04-17_futureoftechkeyfindings_e\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-257851 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.pewresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_E.jpg\" alt=\"FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_E\" width=\"640\" height=\"336\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-257851\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Credit: Richard Newstead\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Opening U.S. airspace to drones:<\/strong> After Amazon founder Jeff Bezos\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/amazon-unveils-futuristic-plan-delivery-by-drone\/\">revealed plans for 30-minute package delivery via drone<\/a>\u00a0in a &#8220;60 Minutes&#8221; episode, critics\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wired.com\/2013\/12\/amazon-drone\/\">derided the idea<\/a>\u00a0as nonsense, citing a number of technical, economic and regulatory hurdles. Another hurdle may be that\u00a0the public is largely unenthusiastic about the idea of giving drones permission to fly through most U.S. airspace: 63% of Americans think this would be a change for the worse, compared with 22% who say it would be a change for the better.<\/p>\n\n<figure><a href='https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"161\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?w=161\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium not-transparent\" alt=\"Civil Rights: Wide racial divides persist over fair treatment of blacks\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png 301w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=161,300 161w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=160,298 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=218,405 218w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=200,372 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_Civil_Rights.png?resize=260,484 260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 161px) 100vw, 161px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"e7eeed\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e7eeed;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_257853\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-257853\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/04\/17\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/ft_14-04-17_futureoftechkeyfindings_f\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-257853 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.pewresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_F.jpg\" alt=\"FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_F\" width=\"640\" height=\"336\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-257853\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Credit: Justin Sullivan\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><!--more--><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Devices feeding most people information:<\/strong> Google hopes to begin selling its futuristic Google Glass eyeglass-like computers later this year, but it may confront a market of skeptics:\u00a053% of Americans think it would be a change for the worse if most people wear implants or other devices that constantly show them information about the world around them. Women are especially wary of a future in which these devices are widespread. Americans may have good reason to be wary: 53% say they have been involved in a technology-induced\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/01\/02\/more-than-half-of-cell-owners-affected-by-distracted-walking\/\">distracted walking encounter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/04\/17\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/ft_14-04-17_futureoftechkeyfindings_g\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"32425b\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #32425b;\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" class=\"wp-image-26966 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.pewresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G.jpg\" alt=\"FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G\" ><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Time travel:<\/strong> About one-in-ten Americans (9%) say the futuristic invention they would most like to have is a\u00a0time machine. But time travel holds little appeal for older adults\u2014just 3% of seniors named a time machine as their future invention of choice.<\/p>\n\n<figure><a href='https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium not-transparent\" alt=\"time-machine-interest\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=160,84 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=200,105 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=260,137 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=310,163 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=420,221 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"32425b\" style=\"--dominant-color: #32425b;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_257855\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-257855\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/04\/17\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/ft_14-04-17_futureoftechkeyfindings_h\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-257855 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.pewresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_H.jpg\" alt=\"FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_H\" width=\"640\" height=\"336\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-257855\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Credit: Justin Sullivan\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Driverless cars:<\/strong> Americans are split on the idea of riding in a driverless car:\u00a048% say they would, while 50% say they would not. Opinions vary by education and urbanity: 59% of college graduates would give driverless cars a try, while 62% of those with a high school diploma or less would not. And half of urban (52%) and suburban (51%) residents are interested in driverless cars, compared with just 36% of rural residents.<\/p>\n\n<figure><a href='https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium not-transparent\" alt=\"time-machine-interest\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=160,84 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=200,105 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=260,137 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=310,163 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=420,221 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"32425b\" style=\"--dominant-color: #32425b;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_257849\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-257849\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/04\/17\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/ft_14-04-17_futureoftechkeyfindings_d\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-257849 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.pewresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_D.jpg\" alt=\"FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_D\" width=\"640\" height=\"336\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-257849\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Credit: JP Laffont\/Sygma\/Corbis<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Personal robot servants:<\/strong> Some middle-aged Americans just want a little help around the house\u20148% of those ages 30\u201349 named a personal robot or robot servant as the futuristic invention they would most like to own, at least double the share in other age groups.<\/p>\n\n<figure><a href='https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium not-transparent\" alt=\"time-machine-interest\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=160,84 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=200,105 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=260,137 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=310,163 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=420,221 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"32425b\" style=\"--dominant-color: #32425b;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_257846\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-257846\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/04\/17\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/ft_14-04-17_futureoftechkeyfindings_a\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-257846 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.pewresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_A.jpg\" alt=\"FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_A\" width=\"640\" height=\"336\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-257846\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Credit: Cultura Science\/Jason Persoff\/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Controlling the weather:<\/strong> Will scientists rid us of catastrophic hurricanes and frigid polar vortexes by developing the ability to control the weather in the next 50 years? No, say more than three-quarters (77%) of all Americans. But there are a few optimists: one-in-five (19%) Americans say this probably will happen.<\/p>\n\n<figure><a href='https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium not-transparent\" alt=\"time-machine-interest\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=160,84 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=200,105 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=260,137 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=310,163 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=420,221 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"32425b\" style=\"--dominant-color: #32425b;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_257847\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-257847\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/04\/17\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/ft_14-04-17_futureoftechkeyfindings_b\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-257847 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.pewresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_B.jpg\" alt=\"FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_B\" width=\"640\" height=\"336\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-257847\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Credit: NASA Ames Research Center<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Long-term space colonies:<\/strong> One third of Americans expect to live in a world in which humans have long-term colonies on other planets. Young adults are especially likely to see space colonization as a viable future possibility: 43% of 18-29 year olds see this happening in the next half-century, compared with about a quarter of those over age 50. Among the pessimists are high-income Americans: just 20% of those with an annual household income of $75,000 or more think space colonization is a realistic prediction.<\/p>\n\n<figure><a href='https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium not-transparent\" alt=\"time-machine-interest\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=160,84 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=200,105 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=260,137 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=310,163 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_G-jpg.webp?resize=420,221 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"32425b\" style=\"--dominant-color: #32425b;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_257848\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-257848\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/04\/17\/from-teleportation-to-robot-servants-americans-predictions-and-dreams-for-the-future\/ft_14-04-17_futureoftechkeyfindings_c\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-257848 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.pewresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2014\/04\/FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_C.jpg\" alt=\"FT_14.04.17_FutureofTechKeyFindings_C\" width=\"640\" height=\"336\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-257848\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Credit: Scott Barbour\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Teleportation:<\/strong>\u00a0The idea of teleportation has long been a common science fiction trope, but Americans are relatively pessimistic about abandoning their planes, trains and automobiles: less than half (39%) say scientists will have solved teleportation in the next 50 years, while 56% say they won&#8217;t have.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Americans see the next half-century as a period of profound scientific change, but they don&#8217;t agree on what will or won&#8217;t come to 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