3 predictions for 2005

• World govts. will finally have started acting on Global Warming after climate consequences ramp up.
• Nearly ubiquitous computing available in urban centers in the developed world.
• Low-level AI/learning common in electronic devices

3 predictions for 2010

• Good news on the Global Warming front: next generation fuel cell technologies make energy much more efficient and enviro-friendly.
• China and India will come close to nuclear exchange, possibly triggered by events in Tibet following the death of the current Dalai Lama.
• Buy land now!: the rise of telecommuting and telepresence will cause a boom in beautiful, well-preserved areas...the suburbs will begin to be depopulated as the cities were 30 years ago

3 predictions for 2025

• The rise of "e-cash" will eliminate government-issued paper money...assets will be completely fungible given the marginal transactions cost so we won't speak of "dollars" and "yen" but in "MSFT" and "GE"...What will governments and central banks do when the market takes over this critical function?
• Genetic engineering will have entered the mainstream...people will routinely choose to avoid "bad" traits for their children...a movement will form around parents consciously deciding to forego genetic engineering.
• Consciousness will be immersible in computer-mediated reality via non-invasive 2-way interfaces (EEG, PET, MRI, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, etc.); computers will recognize and respond "appropriately" to human emotions.

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