This article was originally published on 18 December 2009 and shared what experts and other noted prognosticators thought would be in place in 2010 when looking from 1999 or 2000.
It is interesting how many of these are part of life now and what ones are still on the universal to-do-list.
What predictions do you have for the next decade?
Which of the above predictions from 20 years ago do you wish was or was not true now?
-Biometric devices will become more common. Being able to more easily track our health, and a more secure form of cyber security
I'm looking forward to the day I can get my first cybernetic implant, maybe a pair of Tleilaxu eyes. Probably not in this decade though.
This list is unreal to read! I'm disappointed that smelly television didn't become a thing...I think.
I think (or really, really hope) that the next decade brings about the following changes:
- I'm not sure we'll need physical banks anymore. I could see us moving away from physical currencies, too.
- Telemedicine! I'm excited about the programs that are testing administration of commonplace medical care over the internet. Paired with all the biometric data we can reliably collect on ourselves, this could cut back on healthcare costs in interesting ways. I'm simultaneously concerned about the security of that data, though.
- I think our connection to technology will grow in such a way that we'll be having discussions on whether internet access is a basic human right.
- I hope we see major changes worldwide to improve our planet's ecological outlook. I'm excited about new meat alternatives and shifts toward greener packaging.
- I think the average person will continue to learn and adapt to new tech, allowing them to inexpensively automate more of their daily tasks and freeing up additional leisure time for the middle class. That may sound obvious, but I forget how many people are still learning about these tools! (See also: I'm giving my mom until 2030 to start ordering her groceries online. ;) )
Thanks for your reply Samie.
Currency - in the last few years there were significant earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand. In the days following there were issues as only physical currency was able to be accepted by business as they did not have connectivity for electronic payments. Something to think about as we carry fewer coins and notes.
Telemedicine - this is an important area especially as around the world many countries expect 50% or more of their GPs to retire in the next 10-15 years. This is especially worrying for rural communities and those that need regular monitoring but would be better served in their homes.
Right to Internet access - In 2011 the UK Court of Appeal ruled the internet was an “essential part of everyday living” (from https://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2012/01/11/is-internet-access-a-human-right/)
Before the creation of the internet, if a defendant kept books of pictures of child pornography it would not have occurred to anyone to ban him from possession of all printed material. The internet is a modern equivalent.
In November 2019, the UK Labour Party promised to provide free broadband to every British household by 2030 if it wins the election (from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/internet-access-human-right-politics-labour-party-uk-government-a9208841.html).
Ecology - I am skeptical about how much change there can really be until the corporations involved in the retail sector get seriously committed. My reusable bag is minuscule against the levels of packaging used throughout the manufacturing and distribution process. Not to mention the (lack of) ability to recycle items at their end of their useful life.
I'm not convinced we need smell-o-vision.
Wow, thanks for all the worldwide context here! :)
The internet "as a right" idea is super interesting to me in particular. I think the US would have a hard time making internet access a nationwide, government-run utility. It was a few years ago here that one in four households didn't have an internet subscription. It'll be interesting to see how that number has changed!
I'll join the prediction fun.
Politics
Government voting will be run fully online and real-time in 3 of the world's biggest nations.
Carshare
Per-use rental will be the norm in most major cities in the world
Banking
All major banks will allow owners to hold any currency in the account and convert from one to another at market rates.
I enjoyed the benefits of using car sharing back in 2009. It is a shame that it still is not mainstream for CBD dwellers.