Access to computers will soon be a solved problem, but access to quiet is something else. All sorts of machinery can be made more quiet with new materials and computer-intensive methods of vibration analysis. This includes HVAC and compressors generally. And noise-cancellation devices will soon be cheap enough to scatter everywhere. It's time to start auditing our homes, workplaces, and public spaces for noise.
Some noises are good.
Others are bad. We've gotten used to too many unnecessary bad noises. Indoor air quality. We know that indoor air is choked with fumes from carpets, paint, and plastics. The problem isn't getting solved because it's invisible, but we'll soon be able to get small devices that automatically analyze the air.