It’s not easy to invent something that has absolutely no redeeming value.

Drugs, genetic engineering - even nuclear power…when we juxtapose their positive contributions with tragic stories of misuse, we can still safely say they’ve all improved our lives in some way.

But now there’s cloaking: the ability of materials to refract light around objects.  Since light reflecting off of an object is what makes it visible, the object becomes invisible.  Articles published this week in two notable scientific journals, Nature and Science, describe research bringing us one step closer to making cloaking a reality.

And I ask you:  other than adding still another way to kill each other, what’s the actual bennie?  Is there any possible good that can come out of invisibility?  I don’t see any Romulans attacking.  Then again, they’re probably using their cloaking device.

OK, I know that being invisible would be cool.  It’s a science fiction fan’s dream come true.

But other than the cool factor, the ability to make ourselves invisible is right up there with weapons of destruction.  I can’t think of one good use for them, either.

I can think of a lot of awful uses for them, though.

I’m a huge proponent of the benefits scientific discoveries bring to our lives.

But I wish they’d have left this particular stone unturned.

Related Posts

• November 7, 2008 -- An Obama in Hand is Worth Two Republicans in the Bush (1)
• October 25, 2008 -- Is “Save” a Four Letter Word in the Current Economy? (0)
• October 23, 2008 -- Clouds Move in Over Alternative Energy (2)
• October 21, 2008 -- Your Two Cents (0)
• October 1, 2008 -- Are You For or Against the Bailout? (5)