The Readers' Award 2010

ABOUT THE READERS' AWARD

In 2010, The Economist editors produced a short list of ideas they believed had the potential to radically change society but hadn't yet done so. We invited Economist readers to cast their vote on which idea they believe will have the biggest impact on society in the next decade. They decided it was 4G networks.

THE 2010 SHORT LIST

* 4G networks

Fourth Generation wireless networks will bring broadband to the developing world and make it ubiquitous in the rich world, by enabling people to have broadband internet access on mobile devices.

* Electric cars

Electric cars have the potential to change the automobile industry and make an enormous contribution to efforts to reduce pollution.

* Geoengineering

Efforts to engineer desired changes to the earth’s climate will help to counterbalance or reverse the potentially catastrophic negative effects of climate change.

* Graphene electronics

The properties of graphene open up possibilities for superfast electronics.

* Personal genomics

Analysis of a person’s genes has the potential to drive personalised medicine, showing people what diseases they may be prone to and even preventing these before they cause problems.

* Private space-launch services

Opening up space to the private sector will help enable ambitious space missions like a manned mission to Mars and make the dream of commercial space travel available to more people.  

* Randomised trials of aid and development schemes

Rigorous experimental testing of interventions could promote development and make aid delivery far more efficient.