prior to … 在……之前
reach the overwhelming consensus 达成绝对一致
be not rivaled … 没有什么能够匹敌
enjoy an unparalleled popularity 无比流行
discrepancy 差异
built-in 内置
inclination 倾向
develop a hit-list of our main fears 列出一串我们很担忧的事情
be hailed as 被当作……(好事)
trigger 导致
a fringe of 一小部分
in vast numbers 大量地
appear=seem 看起来
pose a devastating problem 带来了严重的问题
have=share
it will matter/work 会起作用的
do more harm than good 弊大于利
amount to 攀升
to put it another way, 换言之
launch 开始、启动
be derived from … 来自于……
the impetus/drive of … …的动力
make sth possible/make it possible that使……成为可能
be known as ...以……而着称