This is a great time to make bold predictions about both short and long-term futures [see photo]. I urge you to make predictions that are bold enough to make your friends laugh, see you in a different light, thinking differently about possible futures, etc. And certainly feel free to post your wildest predictions [about our joint futures] in the comments section below.
Here are some predictions about our possible futures...
The greatest issue/problem facing humanity for the rest of this Century is the demographic effect of an aging population [China, Europe, etc] and the low birth rates in many places around the world. And so one of our greatest challenges this Century is to create AL [artificial labour] not AI [artificial intelligence]. We need to convert capital assets [Elon Musk calls this distilled labour] into labour assets [user interfaces that create unique use-value].
The US dollar will become the supreme global currency once again [many commentators predict the opposite will occur]. As world trade fails to rebound and grow at historic rates [post the Covid pandemic] the emergent economy will be local not global. In this new community-based economy: Bitcoin will become a valued icon [with stored value just like all other historical icons] rather than encrypted information which can be used to replace local or global currencies.
Perhaps the biggest public policy issue will be healthcare. While the UBI has promise as an idea; the more important policy/political idea is universal healthcare at a basic level. But this initiative must NOT follow the guidelines laid down by the NHS in Britain [or the Canadian system] because those C20th systems were never targeted to deliver healthcare efficiently and effectively [resulting in long waiting lists for elective surgery, and crowded Emergency Wards, neither of which are not cost efficient nor patient friendly]. The new basic healthcare system should have a voluntary subscription service attached to it [perhaps one modelled on a HMO style of system where you pay an annual fee for treatment of your known disabilities or known long-term health ailments].
Respect for Government rules and regulation will decline sharply because these C21st corporate conglomerates have been found to be incompetent and reckless when spending taxpayers' [or shareholders'] money. As people return to live, work, and trade within their local communities they will make new rules and regulations that suit their local conditions and environs.
The introduction of 5G technologies will enable new local services to be delivered at speeds not experienced before. Meanwhile the further development of Starlink will extend the reach of local 5G networks so we can keep abreast of the latest global inventions and innovations.
Encrypted information [both stock and flow] will flourish; especially, once we begin mining the Moon's surface and get into stride with Colonies on Mars. Encrypted information will be used as interstella currency for all trade between Earth and Mars.
Each individual on Earth [and later on Mars] will have a personalised Avatar who he or she uses to translate dreams, thoughts, illusions, and delusions into meaningful narratives that can be beta-tested by the cognitive processes of a wakeful human mind.
People will be given the choice to die at any age. Death will become an essential element in the renewal, revitalisation, and evolution of the humans on Earth and on Mars.
Richard.
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