“What changes will everyone be talking about in 2016 and how will you be affected?”
I was recently asked this question at a conference and liked it immediately. The question is about the near future, so it appears within the realm of predictability. However, the question is still about the future which is inherently unpredictable because it just hasn’t happened yet. Therefore, there is a natural tension welcomed by the question, whereby people are invited comment about the future despite obvious uncertainties. There’s also something appealing about a general question which almost anyone can answer and arrive at interesting ideas.
The soundest way to answer the question is by drawing on your individual specialties and interests, to speak about changes in your particular field of work or study. I asked this question to a group of people from a variety of backgrounds, of different ages and professions. Here is a collection of responses, mostly unedited and with no particular order, about what to expect in the near future.
Generational inheritances The short version: peak oil, severe climate change(s), youth being shortchanged by white men in suits and neoliberal speculation.
(Post)apocalyptic humour Given that the world will end in 2012 this question is a bit too unrealistic.
Old-age selflessness I’m concerned about how the world will be for my children and grandchildren.
Gamification Games will be integrated more into our daily lives in both playful and practical directions. Examples of this trend today include the latest highly produced (“Michael Bay”) immersive style of game, simple games (“Angry Birds”), and “games” in the broader sense for measuring personal fitness, personal finances, or household energy use.
Education Education will continue to develop in a self-directed manner, catering to individual student aptitudes and interests. Computer technology will become a greater part of education, which is helpful for facilitating the trend of more self-directed learning.
Consumers Consumers are becoming more important in the eyes of producers. Laws protecting consumers will try to keep pace with rapid release of new products. And social media allows for instant feedback on products, which places greater demands on customer service and influences production cycles to improve or alter products.
Neurology Advances in FMRI and similar technologies allow for greater public knowledge about the human brain, benefitting health researchers working on physical and mental disability, and translating into opportunities in industries (and research departments) as diverse as (neuro)marketing, (neuro)economics, and pharmaceuticals.
Technology Further advancement in wireless communications (iPhone 10G with 3D screen). Many more electric cars with increased range and power from improved batteries. Increased use of alternative energy sources: wind turbines with lower vibration and noise, solar farms conflicting with agriculture, ethanol from biowaste.
Politics Resurgence of the Federal Liberals with Bob Rae as leader, and more talk of merge with the NDP. Obama is reaching the end of his second term with new Republican opposition. The EU is much reduced in size with fewer member countries. Arab countries are considering as similar union. Civil unrest in China as population demands democratic reform.
Macro Economics US is defaulting on debt. China is maintaining economic growth and increasingly pressuring US to control its debt. India is a rising economic power. Canada is shifting trade to the far east and away from the US.
Natural Disasters Major earthquake rocks west coast of North America releases huge tsunami affecting LA and San Francisco, and more extreme weather events as climate change increases.
Health New treatment for immune deficiencies and various cancers.
