Of course, no one can predict the future two centuries in advance with 100% accuracy, but by tracking technology breakthroughs expected in the coming three-to-four decades, such as stem cells fighting disease, nanotech providing scarcity-free lifestyles, and non-biological tissues strengthening bodies, we can create a plausible scenario of how the future could advance over the next two hundred years.
2010-2050 – In early 21st century, biotech and nanotech were credited with improved healthcare, which lowered death rates from 50 million in 2010 to 35 million by 2020, and 5 million by 2030.
In the 2040s, non-biological body parts, including artificial neurons, became affordable and approved by most cultures. In addition, cutting-edge neuro-research enabled doctors to transfer consciousness, mind, and memories from bodies damaged by poor health, accidents or violence, into newly-cloned, stronger bodies. By 2050, most humans were enjoying an indefinite lifespan; free from unwanted death.
Birthrates diminished during this era also. Desire to perpetuate family lineage through children didn't make sense when it became evident that nearly all deaths are preventable. However, reduced death rates caused world population to rise from 7 billion in 2010, reaching a plateau of 10 billion by 2050.
By mid-2030s, molecular nanotech researchers began building household nanofactories. High end models that produced shoes, clothing, appliances, food, and medicine were priced from $5,000. Economy units that produced only food, clothing, and drugs were priced under $1,000, making them affordable to third world families. Personal nanofactories have liberated humanity from the tyranny of material want.
2050-2100 – Influenced by successful Moon and Mars forays, by mid-21st century, humanity began a mass exodus to space. By 2100, more than a billion people would call space their home.
During the 2070s, researchers launched trillions of nanobots in the atmosphere and beneath the planet's surface to alter the world's environmental makeup and create a computerized weather control system. Say goodbye to dangerous earthquakes and storms, and hello to weather on demand. Strong earthquake jolts are prevented, and scientists can now direct rain and sunshine to fall where needed.
2100-2150 – By 2100, humanity achieved what some describe as a Kardashev Type I Civilization. Our societies have evolved from separate squabbling cultures into a peaceful global village working as one voice eager to explore the cosmos; and we now utilize 100% of the sun's energy that strikes our planet. This increased energy has enabled development of warp-drive spaceships with faster-than-light-speed travel capabilities, allowing real time intra-galactic forays to Earth-like planets orbiting nearby stars.
2150-2210 – In 2160, scientists began constructing a "Dyson Sphere." This futuristic idea, proposed by astronomer Freeman Dyson, allows us to access all the sun's energy. To build this techno-wonder, nano-replicators created tiles, and space faring nanobots arranged them to encompass both the Earth and sun.
Completed in 2180, this system captures all of our star's energy and filters out harmful space materials by changing their atomic structure. It also provides 252 quadrillion square miles of habitable space inside the sphere for colonization. This feat has earned Earthlings a Type II Kardashev rating, enabling us to create anti-matter drive systems and develop space colonies as distant as 1,000 light-years from Earth.
By 2210, human population totals 11 billion. Four billion live on Earth, seven billion offworld. Many now dream of reaching Type III Civilization status, which experts predict could happen within the current millennium. Imagine a future where we meet other species and join them in a Star Trek-like federation; and command energy sources to format wormholes, allowing time travel, and visits to alternate universes.
The possibilities for this "magical future" seem almost limitless. Could technologies develop in this rapid timeframe? Futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts that world information is doubling each decade. In 20 decades, we will produce billions of times more intelligence than is experienced today. Should society become enthused with the bold scenarios discussed in this article, this amazing future could become reality as we wind through the next 200 years. Comments welcome.
Of course, no one can predict the future two centuries in advance with 100% accuracy, but by tracking technology breakthroughs expected in the coming three-to-four decades, such as stem cells fighting disease, nanotech providing scarcity-free lifestyles, and non-biological tissues strengthening bodies, we can create a plausible scenario of how the future could advance over the next two hundred years.
2010-2050 – In early 21st century, biotech and nanotech were credited with improved healthcare, which lowered death rates from 50 million in 2010 to 35 million by 2020, and 5 million by 2030.
In the 2040s, non-biological body parts, including artificial neurons, became affordable and approved by most cultures. In addition, cutting-edge neuro-research enabled doctors to transfer consciousness, mind, and memories from bodies damaged by poor health, accidents or violence, into newly-cloned, stronger bodies. By 2050, most humans were enjoying an indefinite lifespan; free from unwanted death.
Birthrates diminished during this era also. Desire to perpetuate family lineage through children didn't make sense when it became evident that nearly all deaths are preventable. However, reduced death rates caused world population to rise from 7 billion in 2010, reaching a plateau of 10 billion by 2050.
By mid-2030s, molecular nanotech researchers began building household nanofactories. High end models that produced shoes, clothing, appliances, food, and medicine were priced from $5,000. Economy units that produced only food, clothing, and drugs were priced under $1,000, making them affordable to third world families. Personal nanofactories have liberated humanity from the tyranny of material want.
2050-2100 – Influenced by successful Moon and Mars forays, by mid-21st century, humanity began a mass exodus to space. By 2100, more than a billion people would call space their home.
During the 2070s, researchers launched trillions of nanobots in the atmosphere and beneath the planet's surface to alter the world's environmental makeup and create a computerized weather control system. Say goodbye to dangerous earthquakes and storms, and hello to weather on demand. Strong earthquake jolts are prevented, and scientists can now direct rain and sunshine to fall where needed.
2100-2150 – By 2100, humanity achieved what some describe as a Kardashev Type I Civilization. Our societies have evolved from separate squabbling cultures into a peaceful global village working as one voice eager to explore the cosmos; and we now utilize 100% of the sun's energy that strikes our planet. This increased energy has enabled development of warp-drive spaceships with faster-than-light-speed travel capabilities, allowing real time intra-galactic forays to Earth-like planets orbiting nearby stars.
2150-2210 – In 2160, scientists began constructing a "Dyson Sphere." This futuristic idea, proposed by astronomer Freeman Dyson, allows us to access all the sun's energy. To build this techno-wonder, nano-replicators created tiles, and space faring nanobots arranged them to encompass both the Earth and sun.
Completed in 2180, this system captures all of our star's energy and filters out harmful space materials by changing their atomic structure. It also provides 252 quadrillion square miles of habitable space inside the sphere for colonization. This feat has earned Earthlings a Type II Kardashev rating, enabling us to create anti-matter drive systems and develop space colonies as distant as 1,000 light-years from Earth.
By 2210, human population totals 11 billion. Four billion live on Earth, seven billion offworld. Many now dream of reaching Type III Civilization status, which experts predict could happen within the current millennium. Imagine a future where we meet other species and join them in a Star Trek-like federation; and command energy sources to format wormholes, allowing time travel, and visits to alternate universes.
The possibilities for this "magical future" seem almost limitless. Could technologies develop in this rapid timeframe? Futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts that world information is doubling each decade. In 20 decades, we will produce billions of times more intelligence than is experienced today. Should society become enthused with the bold scenarios discussed in this article, this amazing future could become reality as we wind through the next 200 years. Comments welcome.
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