So tell me, what are your predictions for the future of the civilization and the planet?

What are some of the big events and discoveries you foresee happening? Inventions, politics, however your mind works.
How do you see day to day life in the future varying from life as it is right now?
Imagine someone in 1900 trying to describe life in 2000, think of the massive, rapid change that has come about in that time. A man in 1900 would not even be able to comprehend the basic idea of a laptop computer or CD player, let alone imagine they'd be in nearly every home.
Where do we go from here?

I figure the best way to do this is to break it down.

We'll do 10 years. 30 years. 50 years. 100 years.

Whatcha got here?

Marsupialized wrote:Where do we go from here?

Hover boards and electronic trainers.

10 years.

More attacks on American soil.

30 years.

The next world war begins with President Bush IV insulting some food item.

50 years.

Nuclear War.

100 years.

The Melvins release their 89 album with their 40th bass player.

yea, really. You win.

Short-term (10-20 years): Obama gets elected and either fails to deliver on his promises of change, or else he does manage, with the help of the Democratic Congress, to institute some important changes that help bolster the economy and restore some of our basic civil freedoms. Regardless, after one or two terms of Democratic administration, the monied interests use their superior PR skills to stir up enough fear, uncertainty and doubt within the populace to get another Republican elected. Then, of course all the same shit starts all over again, with possibly even worse repercussions.

Long term (50-100 years): As I see it, the American Empire is in a state of decline. Our people have become even more arrogant, ignorant, spiteful, and intellectually malleable, and this will be a major factor in our eventual downfall.

Put simply, we'll be going backward, to pre-WWII living... Peak oil and global warming will both necessitate major changes in our everyday lives... Suburbia will be ruined, car culture finished, air travel only for the rich, advanced medical care a luxury most will not enjoy. Wars over resources, with China and Russia (possibly united) the big winners, USA and Europe big losers. Europe will still be ok, as it was developed pre-automobiles, but our own landscape/systems are going to be violently shaken apart.

20-30 years from now, maybe less.

Of course, less car-crazed, more local lifestyles offer enormous benefits, and many may realize this once the shit starts. Either way I will enjoy the show as things unfold.

An incredibly important book was published a couple years ago, and its author has been very accurate in his predictions... We're seeing the unravelling right now in the markets -- oil is up not due to speculators but simply because demand now outstrips supply, yields from the big fields in Saudi Arabia, Mexico and the North Sea are declining rapidly, and Asian thirst for the stuff only increases with each new day.

Book: The Long Emergency, by James Howard Kunstler

Great read, fascinating and very funny at times.

10 years-
Scientists discover that all of the satellite, cell phone, and radio frequencys are slowly microwaving the earth. U.S. Congress is too busy fighting steroid usage in professional Ultimate frisbee to notice.
20-years
China's rising industry and economy make them a superpower in the global economy while constant human rights and environmental laws/ethics are being ignored. Did I say 20 years?

Wow, no predictions of world peace and harmony.
Y'all some pessimistic folks, you know that?

10 years - Enzyte introduced to the Middle East. Nuke City. We die.

30 years - Cockroaches restart civilization.

50 years - Cockroaches surpass all human accomplishments. Build hover car. Rewrite Spiderland.

100 years - Cockroaches leave Earth. Kill Spock.