1. Even research centrifuges are a lot more than "discussion" or a "thought experiment", the terms that you proposed. Perhaps "research" is a good word for the

1. Even research centrifuges are a lot more than "discussion" or a "thought experiment", the terms that you proposed. Perhaps "research" is a good word for the stage they were in? 2. You're attacking the timing, but the timing makes sense. People are much more interested in the topic now, so it makes sense to publish it now. 3. You seem very eager to guess at the political motivations of the article's author, but not everything is about politics. The quote definitely gets the readers thinking, but (assuming it is accurate, of course) it seems very appropriate for the end of the article. Articles often end on an open question, and it is fascinating to think of what could have happened had history gone differently.