Science Sector Sentiment: What People Actually Think About Tomorrow's Breakthroughs
People currently seem to be watching a lot of science headlines, and the mood in the room is mixed. Some folks are optimistic that big things will happen soon, while others are skeptical. The overall feeling leans toward cautious excitement rather than wild confidence.
On the topic of alien existence, expectations appear to be leaning firmly toward No. Most people don't think the United States is going to confirm aliens exist on schedule. That's a pretty clear consensus out there.
When it comes to SpaceX IPOs, the picture shifts dramatically. There's strong bullish sentiment around the idea that SpaceX will end up being the biggest IPO by market cap at some point. But for OpenAI and ByteDance, the mood is bearish — people doubt those companies will top that ranking. The divide is real and noticeable.
Millennium Prize Problems are another hot conversation. Everyone seems to think AI won't solve any of them next. The Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture, the Hodge Conjecture, and P versus NP all draw a firm No from public opinion. People are skeptical that artificial intelligence can crack these old, hard puzzles anytime soon.
The skin cancer vaccine question splits the room. Some people expect the FDA to approve it by December, but others doubt it will happen by June or September. The feeling is divided, with a slight edge toward No on most timelines. Nobody is fully convinced yet.
A new pandemic? Expectations lean heavily toward No. People currently seem to think we're past that chapter.
SpaceX Starship tests generate a lot of chatter too. There's bullish energy around the launch happening by November, but bearish doubt about whether the Super Heavy booster will explode. And then there's the odd question about chopsticks catching the booster — and yes, people actually think that might happen. It's a weird one, but the sentiment is clearly favorable toward that idea.
Finally, on the Navier-Stokes problem, nobody expects the Clay Mathematics Institute to declare it solved by December. Both questions get a firm No, and the consensus doesn't waver. People are doubtful that fluid dynamics will suddenly hand over its biggest unsolved challenge to anyone, let alone artificial intelligence.