There're still a ton of government-spurred development going on. The stealth thing brought alot of consumer products. Government military laser research is bound to have wonderful civilian applications (like zapping your neighbor for being an asshole). Nanotechnology, human biological enhancement (super soldiers), plus I believe the government is still the biggest funder of fusion technology. And everyone wants a fusion reactor. I know I do.

Anyway, yes, the civilian sector is doing great things, but I think the government still has a big role to play due to just the massive amount of money it has. Plus the inertia. If a company funds something for 2 years and only sees losses and no major strides forward, it'll probably axe the project. The government is such a beaurocatic, political monstrosity that a really expensive project can stretch for a decade with no major progress and tons of funding. But after that 10 years, it may result in massive breakthroughs, or at least lay the foundation for future investigation.

Anyway, I never thought I'd call beaurocracy an asset, but I think the private sector lacks the staying power for alot of projects that the government does.

lol @ Ox's Simpsons quote. Classic.

@ Satis, i think the chances of us humans coming into contact with aliens at any point in out existence is highly negligible. So i wouldnt lose any sleep over worrying about alien invaders.