How well can we predict the future?

[Alpha]

I don't mean this in like a soothsayer, tea-leaf kind of way.

I mean, how realistically can we imagine what the future will be like? Did anyone think in 1600 that in under 400 years time searching for the great unknown southern continent in wooden ships would be replaced by visiting the moon in a metal spacecraft? Did they even imagine that such a thing would be possible? That letters posted around the world in months would be replaced by us digitally gathering here in the great TFF Gathering Hall, to discuss ideas instantaneously with no regard for oceans and mountains, with signals bounced out to satellites in space (that we placed there ourselves) and back again?

Give me your opinion on this, and maybe one "outlandish" prediction of the future of the human race... a prediction that may just become true.

[Heartless Angel]

I'd say not very well. If you look at futuristic stories, sci-fi, stuff like that. Almost nothing is right on the mark. They either saw something as coming soon that we're still nowhere near decades later,, or see something coming hundreds of years from now that we're actually on the verge of having today.

I believe that eventually we may be capable of warp speeds. I'd guess within a century of discovering a practical way to sustain fusion on earth.

[LocoColt04]

All I gotta say is, Adam Jensen has augmented body parts by 2027. I will be severely disappointed if this is not at least commonplace in private sectors by then. He may not have asked for this, but I sure as hell am.

[HeroZero]

Its difficult to predict what will be possible in the future, let alone WHEN in the future it will occur. Jules Verne is a good example of a visionary of what could be possible, obviously the timing involved was not accurate but the technological advancements were there such as submarines and travel to the moon. I think in the relatively near future we will begin developing advanced prosthesis, very likely with neural interfaces for direct control. This will likely eventually lead to something out of Deus Ex or Neuromancer but will likely take some time to jump that gap, unless a military superpower takes a vested interest in its development. Soldier loses his legs in combat, give him BETTER legs than he had before idea. I 'hope' this also comes with a neural interface for direct interaction in an online environment a la Otherworld by Tad Williams but I have a thing for immersive VR (if it ever comes about).

On the medical side of things I find it very likely that work in using gene-therapy will become something of a common cure for ailments. Perhaps advancing into custom tailored gene therapies for any given genome. I personally look forward to the day when virtually no child is born with birth defects such as trisomy, because it is fixed early enough in fetal development that they can never a completely normal life that may have otherwise been out of their reach (and possibly understanding). The potential for an eventual 'Gattaca' type event caused by this is possible and I am a little worried for what it could mean in the long run of our species.

[Clint]

The future can be predicted pretty well, actually. In Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne predicted electric submarines and taser guns. He predicted newscasts, videoconfrencing, and skywriting in an article from 1889. He predicted both solar sails and space travel via lunar modules in From the Earth to the Moon.

HG Wells predicted nuclar weaponry in 1914 in his book The World Set Free. He predicted the moon landing in 1901, genetic engineering in 1896, lasers in 1898, and the Second World War in 1933.

It's easy to predict the future, becasue the world never actually changes too much. The only thing that ever changes is advancements in technology. Everything else is relatively constant.

[noxious.sunshine]

Nostradamus FTW.

Also... I rather think I'm pretty psychic.

... I'm just saying.

I have ESPN.

[charlesgo]

There are ways like consulting with good and true astrologers and by daily reading Bible can make our life easier and smoother.

[noxious.sunshine]

Sorry. I do not agree with you.

While I respect other people's decision to read The Bible and follow Jesus and all of that, I do not, will not, and cannot believe in any of it. I have my own personal reasons for this. I have no doubt that some of what's written really did happen, but in general, I do not believe in it.

I would rather keep believing in Santa Clause and Leprechauns.

[postalblowfish7]

You should check out the Foundation novels by Isaac Asimov, they're based on this question of the scientific prediction of the future. They call it Psychohistory, and use it to successfully predict the fall of civilization while also trying to use it to shorten the period of reconstruction. They're absolutely mind boggling!

[loaf]

I predict the future by looking at History.

[che]

There are ways like consulting with good and true astrologers and by daily reading Bible can make our life easier and smoother.

Would you mind explaining why these two things would specifically help make things smoother for me in the future?

[Alpha]

Would you mind explaining why these two things would specifically help make things smoother for me in the future?

Well you can get them as apps for your iBrain.

[noxious.sunshine]

Because the whole Wrath of God thing? IDK.

Honestly, I think Revelations is the biggest load of shit I've ever been forced to read in my life. Sorry.