Re:Nuclear physicist explains why fusion ignition is hailed ...
by bawolff on Tuesday December 20, 2022 @01:43AM
(#34062441)
Milestones can be impressive too.
I think the distinction is that with a breakthrough there is something new to learn, where a milestone you basically say "good job, keep up the good work". With a breakthrough there is more content to engage with because you can try and understand what is new. A milestone is great, but there isn't anything new to really engage with, so it has a shorter news cycle.
As a comparison - stable diffusion is a breakthrough - we are still trying to figure out what it all means and how it will or wont change society. its been months now and we are still talking about it. We wont be talking about this fusion thing months from now. That doesn't mean its less important only a different type of event.
I think the distinction is that with a breakthrough there is something new to learn, where a milestone you basically say "good job, keep up the good work". With a breakthrough there is more content to engage with because you can try and understand what is new. A milestone is great, but there isn't anything new to really engage with, so it has a shorter news cycle.
As a comparison - stable diffusion is a breakthrough - we are still trying to figure out what it all means and how it will or wont change society. its been months now and we are still talking about it. We wont be talking about this fusion thing months from now. That doesn't mean its less important only a different type of event.