Since Galileo first pointed a telescope at the moon, the instrument has evolved with bigger lenses and mirrors. Despite additional advances in optics, physical constraints eventually prompted development in other directions. Rather than one optical or radio telescope, why not combine the inputs of several, tens, hundreds... ?
We desperately need holistic interferometry for the personal, social, community (urban, rural and nomadic), national and global health care challenges we face.
* Which includes much of the electromagnetic.
Links:
Interferometry: Space.com
Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI)
Allen Telescope Array
SETI@home
Seti Inst.
LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory
Image source: Seti League
http://www.setileague.org/array2k/array2kb.jpg