As a scientist it is really easy to draw conclusions based on assumptions and past data. Many of my students have constantly asked me about my views of the future. Although I sometimes have doubts over my own findings but on the back of overwhelming requests from the student community I would like to put down few of the things I think would probably happen in the future.
I request all to have an academic approach to all these statements and not rule them out completely. I have also given the logic for why I believe these could be the realities of our world by the end of this century. Here goes.
1. There would be no countries left in the world. Concept of nationality would cease to exist. Or at least cease to exist in its current form.
Reason- We are moving to more a unified and transparent world. Eventually economies and countries would move towards cooperation and collaboration and in turn unity. National leaders would see more merit in bringing resources together for more efficient welfare of their citizens and economies of scale would involuntarily become the theme for getting them together.
What would the world look like- Based on the current state of world affairs, we would probably have
a) Capitalist Bloc (made of more right wing capitalist economies- led by USA)- but by current standards this bloc would be much more socialist in nature.
b) Eastern Bloc (as the name suggests the socialist economies- led by China/Russia)- would be more capitalist that the commies today- would possibly include a few European nations which would come of the Eurozone and join this bloc
c) Islamic Bloc - Islamic nations would come together to form a peaceful union
d) Non Aligned Bloc - Bloc where constituent countries would have more freedom to choose their policies.
e) Other remaining so called countries which be forced to merge to the above due to economic pressures.
2. Eurozone would not exist. or a large part of it would join the Capitalist Bloc.
Reason- Eurozone is its current form is a mess and gives little freedom to the constituent members to choose policies for the welfare of its people. The pace at which countries would reach Economic Growth Plateau (EGP) will be phenomenally higher in the coming years and would force the more economically and technologically backward countries to succumb to social pressure and would lead to the demise of the Eurozone as we know it.
What would the world look like-The more indebted countries would possibly join the Eastern Bloc. The rest would by default have to join the Capitalist Bloc to safeguard vested interests of the wealthy.
3. World Population will cross 20 billion and most of them would be old- God bless the young.
Reason- Technological advancements. Africa and Islamic Bloc would become peaceful places to live and would add for bulk of that increase.
What would the world look like- Much of the developed world would be filled with old people who would have lots of savings and all that pension money would go to the lesser developed economies for better returns. Unemployment in the developed world would reach unprecedented levels and would lead to increased crime. The Capitalist Bloc hence would make it costly for the industry to outsource by landing sanctions which would in turn force corporations to move their base to the Non Aligned Blocs or Mars.
4. Unemployment would cross 20% and world growth would stagnate at least for a few decades. Makes me wonder if we are probably at the best time in the short term history of mankind.
Reason- Technological advancements. Manufacturing jobs would mostly be automated. Agriculture would require little human intervention. Service sector would contribute to 80% of all employment in the world.
What would the world look like- Not a very pleasant place for a young graduate. Competition would drive a lot of youth in to depression and drug addiction. Crime rates would soar.
5. Crude would trade below 10 dollars a barrel.
Reason- Climate Change would be serious stuff by that time. All cars on gas would be banned and would probably use more energy efficient engines- may even work on nuclear energy. Oil would be used only for industrial purposes.
What would the world look like- Much more environment friendly. Much more greener.
6. Religion as we know would cease to exist- Over 50% of human population would become Atheistic or Agnostic.
Reason- Increasing mobile work environments would force people to move out of roots to far off opportunities and eventually lose touch with their religious beliefs. Not that people stop believing in the supernatural- Just that they would start doubting the scriptures.
What would the world look like- Some groups would possibly outlaw practicing religion due to the ill effects of its extremes. Only a few groups within the Islamic Bloc and the Non Aligned Bloc would openly propagate it.
7. Mars would be colonized and would have an economy of its own with a population of over a million people.
Reason- Technological advancements. Resources at throwaway prices. Presented as the land of opportunities, the first settlers of Mars would probably be Handymen, Plumbers and our regular mechanics who would be lured into moving to Mars for higher paychecks. With high unemployment levels on Earth, moving to Mars may not seem like a very bad idea at that time.
What would the world look like- There would be terrorist organizations that would try to disrupt the process of human migration to Mars and possibly even scare common men from the same. Political parties would also be forced to choose sides. Corporations in the mean time will have the last laugh.
8. Cannabis would be legal in most countries- and more than 20% of the human population would be classified as Full Addicts but not to Cannabis, but a more addictive and cheaper drug which is not invented yet.
Reason- At a time when the world population would be touching close to 20 billion, widespread unemployment would lead to disillusionment among the youth. Cannabis would lose its charm due to its legal status. The more cheaper and potent drug would be easier to produce and would be untraceable by any medical tests.
What would the world look like- The youth would have a tough time to stay away from getting hooked on to the future drug. While the older population would be happy with weed, their children would secretly be destroying their nervous systems.
9. Marriage Rates would go up again but after going lower
Reason- Sometime in between this century, the world would celebrate real women empowerment. This would make the women more career oriented and marriages would become a very unattractive option for many singles. Homosexuality would be out of the closet and unlike earlier estimates more than 20% the world population would identify themselves as non-heterosexuals. Administration would be forced to incentivize marriages to create more babies. So economics would make marriages happen again.
What would the world look like- Marriages would increasing happen for convenience and children would be conceived primarily to enjoy economic incentives.
