Realistic is pragmatic at this point in time. We are at at infantile stage of technology, IMO, and things change as knowledge advances. There is nothing at this time that I would put money behind as far as faster than light travel, but I do hold out hope that knowledge will advance and possibilities are endless. History teaches us that from example.
Perhaps I am overly optimistic, but given human ingenuity, I refuse to believe that something is “Impossible” given enough time and resources (within practicality).
I’d prefer to encourage from the side of frugality than to be discouraging from the side of ignorance and disbelief, but that’s just me.
The way I see it is, show me something to get behind and perhaps I will follow you!
I agree. Hard to believe that it was only 66 years between Kitty Hawk and Moon Landing. However, if the past 45 years are a trend, we are in for a long long wait, or more likely never. I personally think that light speed will never ever be even closely approached.