A big difference, though, is that since the 70's, rather than using our discoveries, out of fear of the consequences. The extent to which we harness energy is

A big difference, though, is that since the 70's, rather than using our discoveries, out of fear of the consequences. The extent to which we harness energy is a strong proxy for overall productivity, and ever since nuclear got largely marginalized we've just been milking existing sources with diminishing returns. Starting roughly in the 70s.