Living off the grid is not crazy. It costs about $23000 for a 2000 sf home
Solar power is not crazy.
Solar power is near a tipping point. It it gets to $1 per watt for installed panels it should takeoff without subsidies. Right now the best values are at about $3 per watt installed.
Wind power is already well on the way as cost competitive. 5% of UK power by 2010.
Update May 2006: More economical wind systems
It is not crazy that ordinary folk can afford in the future what only the rich can afford now. You can get a lot now relative to a wealthy person in the past.
In 1900, a wealthy man would have his own newspaper and printing presses. Now cheap blogs and high volume laser printers $300-1000. Higher end if you want color.
A wealthy guy could hire a maid. Now you can spend $200 for an iRobot broomba.
It is not crazy that personal manufacturing capability could become common.
A fab lab costs about $16000-20000 now
Laser cutters and the ability to make complex electronics etc…
Robots becoming very capable and common is not crazy.
The latest robot hobbyist status
It is not crazy that more people could afford jets and supersonic jets.
Business jets are coming down in price to around $1 to 2 million.
If you are actually pretty rich now, you can buy Migs and assemble an air force.
Something to point out from the Wired article. An L39 Soviet tactical jet fighter can be had for about $300,000. You just have to shop smart.
It would not be that expensive for someone motivated to put together a personal collection of unmanned flying vehicles and robotic security.
Getting into space is not crazy.
Suborbital flights coming for about $100K. Orbital flights to follow.
Update: potentially cheaper launch systems
Being rich in the future is not crazy.
The amount of wealthy people is growing at about 8% per year. Populations overall are growing at about 1% or less in most places. So if you are in a developed country and not becoming affluent then you are being left behind.
Updated wealth statics June 2006
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.