Energy (oil, nuclear, etc) is what drives the entire world economy. It doesn’t matter what kind of technology you have if you don’t have the energy to push things ahead. Energy multiplied by technology equals Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Energy without technology leads to massive waste.
We need clean energy or we will torch our planet. Better technology means less energy needs to be used for the same GDP.
Nuclear provides massive clean energy, but oil companies and oil states have banded together to create an very effective PR campaign against nuclear for the last 50 years.
Patents prevent technology from advancing as quickly as it could. Patents don’t encourage innovation except in minor cases. We badly need more innovation to drive up our technology.
GDP equals lifestyle.