"Fuel For Thought" Exhibit Begs Question: Does Virtual Progress Provide an Excuse to Avoid REAL Progress?

That said, it DOES beg the question with THIS writer:

The MORE big industry talks about and promotes "future fuels" across the American landscape and throughout the media, does it give YOU the sense (as it does me) that we are giving ourselves and EXCUSE to PUT PROGRESS OFF to a FUTURE generation?  

No, this isn't "conspiracy theory" at work; it's more about basic human nature.  Perhaps we "pop sociologists," and some more professionally trained folk can analyze this phenomenon.  When we as human beings think there are futurists out there taking care of us, do we in turn, rather than FOLLOW the trend as it appears at exhibits such as this; or do we actually subliminally resist taking responsibility TODAY to take part in this trend altogether?   A self-unfulfilled prophecy, as it were?

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm.... Love to hear what you think!!!

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Edutainment’ Experience Explores Fuel Cell, E85 and Hybrid Vehicle Technology

GM has opened the "Fuel For Thought" display at Walt Disney World Resort's Epcot(R) theme park near Orlando, Florida to explore fuel cell, E85 and hybrid vehicle technology.

General Motors will bring the wonder of fuel cell technology, hybrid vehicles and ethanol-powered cars and trucks to life with the newly opened “Fuel For Thought” display at Walt Disney World Resort’s Epcot® theme park near Orlando, Florida.  The exhibit features unique, interactive components to provide edutainment for visitors of all ages about advanced automotive technology and the road to a greener future.

“Epcot® is an amazing imaginative theme park,” said Betsy Lazar, executive director of advertising and media operations for General Motors.  “With the addition of ‘Fuel For Thought,’ visitors will now have an opportunity to explore innovative aspects and applications of automotive technology through a fun-filled experience.”

“Fuel For Thought” is comprised of interactive kiosks and games, a special floor projection, plasma wall elements, bright graphics and messaging, vehicle displays with information conveyed through lighting and video, and live narrated presentations.

The walk through “Fuel For Thought” begins down a livegreengoyellow.com pathway designed with brilliant graphics and a plasma wall with an expansive photo of a cornfield.  As visitors pass by, they will see the cornstalks parting in a wavelike fashion.  The opposite wall is dotted with porthole-like windows that provide an introduction to different GM environmental activities throughout the world.

The yellow pathway leads up to the exhibit’s open bi-level space filled with a variety of activities to enjoy.

The exhibit features unique and interactive components to provide edutainment for visitors
of all ages about advanced automotive tech-nology and the road to a greener future.

Five touch-screen games are stationed in the backside of the porthole-like windows, including a trivia game about hybrid technology, a Stalk Car racing game, and a memory game where one matches the photos from a fuel cell marathon.

Three free-standing kiosks have numerous buttons, dials, video screens, lighting effects, factoids and more for interactive learning about fuel cells, hybrids and E85.  The kiosks provide learnings such as how a hydrogen atom is used ultimately in a fuel cell stack to create energy and eventually exhaust made of water.

The main exhibit space floor is highlighted by a giant projected circular graphic controlled by motion sensors.  At one point the circle appears to hold corn kernels and as someone walks across it, the kernels pop into popcorn while E85 messages traverse the area.  The themed graphic also presents an electricity show while emphasizing hybrid technology and a pool of water is at the forefront when fuel cell messages are shared.

An actual FlexFuel E85 compatible vehicle is housed on the main floor for visitors to climb in and out of, while one wall houses a Chevy Tahoe chassis that demonstrates through vibrant lighting effects how a two-mode hybrid works.

Upon exiting “Fuel For Thought,” the future of the automotive industry is expanded upon with a display featuring the AUTOnomy.  The AUTOnomy, first introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January 2002, marked a bold push from GM to reinvent the automobile.  The world’s first vehicle designed from the ground up around a fuel cell propulsion system is viewable in a display surrounded by extensive graphics and looping video to watch, and features a live presentation narrator four times per hour.

“Epcot® is a place of endless possibilities for adults and children, and ‘Fuel For Thought’ provides a fun, interactive experience that shows the endless creativity of the General Motors team,” said brad Rex, vice president of Epcot®.  “We share GM’s passion for preserving our environment and are thrilled with this wonderful addition to Epcot®.”

The "Fuel For Thought" display explores fuel cell, E85 and hybrid vehicle technology and features unique and interactive components to provide edutainment for visitors of all ages about
advanced automotive technology and the road to a greener future.

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Article provided by General Motors

So, back to my original question:

While "Fuel For Thought" and such exhibits are fantastic ways of educating folks, and one can't deny their effectiveness at education on critically important issues, do you think all this intense effort and cost for entetainment-based education ACTUALLY act as a barrier to progress? 

In other words, does the "virtual experience" of the future actually serve to give us all an excuse to put off progress today, so we can continue our CURRENT (addictive) behavior?

Pop psychologists welcome to comment! Am I over-thinking this? Love to hear what you think, fellow concerned grass-roots activists!