predicting science

fun article about possible medical research breakthroughs:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/health/09stem.html?ref=research

basically the conclusion is that we can't predict the next big thing, although there are areas that have higher probabilities. the commentary on the grant funding process was interesting as someone who works in the midst of that world.

predicting breakthroughs is a funny business though - recently saw this article written in 1995, all about how the author thinks the Internet is way over-hyped and will never catch on as a way of life. A little bit off the mark, I think!