Nicholas Negroponte, we must all remember, is not an engineer. Nor is he an especially able organizer or leader, judging by how his past projects all seem to end in acrimonious breakups. He is, rather, a great showman, a PT Barnum for the internet age, a man who knows how to get publicity.

He himself calls these goals ‘aspirational.’ As much as Dilbert’s pointy-haired boss might call for, they have no relationship whatsoever with reality now or in 2012.

Yes, Mr Negroponte, I’d like one of those, and could I get my $25 jetpack on the side, please? Thank you very much.

I’m just amazed anybody in the press pays attention anymore.

Negroponte must be the anti-Steve Jobs: where Jobs conceals everything until he has a finished product ready to ship, and hates any details leaking, Negroponte is all leaks, all announcements … and no products.