One of my favorite science fiction authors, John Scalzi, is answering questions from readers this week on his blog. Today he answered my question:

You are the the Great God Scalzi, but sadly you are not quite omnipotent. In fact you only have the ability to create five new technologies. Which 5 technologies will you bestow upon humanity in 2008?

Here’s the beginning of his answer:

Five seems a little much; if you choose the right five, humans won’t have to do a damn thing for themselves between now and when the race finally implodes from ennui. So, Daniel, allow me to limit myself even further and give humanity only a single technological advance, not just in 2008 but ever. That advance: Fusion.

His answer is the same as mine. If I were to give humanity one technological gift it would be inexpensive, plentiful, and clean energy.