Idiocracy
"The years passed, mankind became stupider at a frightening rate. Some had high hopes that genetic engineering would correct this trend in evolution, but sadly the greatest minds and resources were focused on conquering hair loss and prolonging erections. Meanwhile, the population exploded, and intelligence continued to decline until humanity was incapable of solving even its most basic problems."
Is that because it can't be done, or because commies, politicians, special interest groups, and other general shitheels get in the way of doing things?
Edit: I see for the SC project, it was a government funded project. Anything government funded is destined for failure. That's why the free market exists, because when your money is on the line, you spend it wisely. Government projects are just a get-rich-quick scheme for scumbags. The Big Dig in MA, CA High Speed Rail, and this SC nuclear plant as examples.
The lesson to learn isn't that nuclear can't be done. It's that the entire government in the US from federal to city, is corrupt and needs to be abolished and start from scratch.
Hindsight is easier, but so is foresight when you're not competing against hidden agendas.
Hindsight has the advantage of time, and the visibility of more facts. That's why government transparency is the most important part of a functioning society. Lack of transparency is why we are in the position we are today. Corruption thrives in the dark, whether we're talking about gain of function research, Hunter's laptop, or Ukraine gibs.
The smart electronics and gadgets in cars are unreliable, true. But electric motors are ancient technology, far simpler to build and maintain than combustion engines. The biggest problem is energy storage. No battery tech can compete with fossil fuels.
Sustainable cities? No such thing, without those awful red areas cities would starve.
Claiming cities can be sustainable is like Germany claiming 100% renewable energy (because we're just supposed to ignore all of their imported fossil fuel).