Actually I think innovation has totally stagnated the last 10 years or so.

Yup, we still have the same basic CRUD, except now phones are faster so more JavaScript to make it look pretty.

String Theory was incredible, David Foster Wallace really a pleasure to read.

Do you have any examples?

The DAO. It was, indeed, pretty disruptive.

Which industries do nice people get promoted in?

Medicine.

Not really. You'll find plenty of nice doctors and nurses but hospital administration is the same political jerkfest as anywhere else. Maybe worse because the "nice guy" doctors and nurses are less likely to fight back. Also the doctors and nurses who want to get things done learn pretty quick to stop being so "nice".

Same happens with education.

Reread what I wrote. But, this time, stop at the comma:

You do not have to be a callous jackass...

hammer looking for a nail in terms of healthcare applications yes but I am sure finance or government are better nails for the hammer.

maybe you can model or simulate somehow?

We are all here because we dare to dream

My coping mechanism involves just giving myself a quick break within the social event. Head off to the bathroom once in a while, spend some time in the stall recharging and then go back out. You don't need to leave the social function completely to recharge.

What if my twin brother becomes a wanted criminal? Do I risk being jumped and stuffed into an unmarked white government van?

Don't worry. Before you know it we'll also have DNA tracking. So you'll be easily distinguishable from your twin brother.

Not your identical twin...

Eventually they'll be able to distinguish the minute differences in identical twins' epigenomes.

Can that be the right word? Do you my their physiology?

In a sense, yes. Epigenome refers to the overall body of regulatory modifications made to DNA and the DNA storage mechanism. A lot of these modifications involve the attachment of small chemical groups to a distinct bit of DNA, or alternately the proteins which DNA is wrapped around while in storage, or a number of other possible mechanisms.

Let's say your identical twin is known to be a 1-pack-a-day smoker (assume that the hypothetical panopticon has access to his history of credit card purchases). Assume that you, however, abstain from smoking and also avoid secondhand smoke.

There will be certain modifications to your twin's genetic material which may be detectable in the next few decades. These modifications may allow the tracker to positively distinguish between you and your twin.

Regarding your question -- smoking (or exercise, or severe depression, etc.) affects your physiology, which in turn may cause changes to your epigenome.

Don't worry, they'll cross-reference facial recognition matches with your cell phone location in realtime. Just make sure you carry your cell phone at all times. Your brother will be identified by having no cell phone to cross-reference with, or one with a name that does not match the appearance.

Well said. The criticism comes from the generation that made us Gen Y's into the adults we are becoming. People born in the 1990's are beginning to enter the workplace, with self-confidence, and a general refusal to be treated like a doormat. If this becomes misconstrued as "entitled," or "spoiled," than so be it.