Why aren't they using analog flaps to gradually increase drag? At 1000mph you will decelerate pretty quickly by just not applying thrust. Other aircraft can slow down pretty well using them and they don't have the friction of maintaining contact with the ground to help. Bonus for using the same flaps to increase downforce as they open so the mechanical brakes will work better or just deploy a dragster chute once you get below the operating envelope.

What we really need is some seriously big, efficient capacitors.

That would "incentivise" our space exploration objectives!

It's always got good stuff and lasts two visits to the throne room.

It's also not so easy to put a revision on history when it's in physical copy to be referred to whenever needed. When all your historical documents are digital... how long before it's really possible to claim "Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia"? That would be doubleplus ungood.

We have only been using shotguns for fractions.

We should combine this thought exercise with the recent article about the theoretical possibility that we will become physically immortal in the foreseeable future. No reason to half-ass nonsense thought exercises. High comedy... to have a few generations of people born and dying on a starship only to hail the call to dock with another ship one day delivering the GREAT news that someone discovered a faster way to travel.

All you have to carry is that little smoke can so you can put them to sleep while you drive.

or maybe Marching Band Leader

Make sure to update all your personal info on FB too so we don't have to work too hard to identify your less vocal friends.