What will happen between now and 2020?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around predictions for changes in the global eco-social domain between the present and the year 2020. Participants share a variety of speculative ideas, ranging from technological advancements to socio-political developments, without reaching any consensus on the outcomes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants predict significant changes, while others express skepticism about any real change occurring.
  • There are humorous and satirical predictions about technology, such as the replacement of touch screens with smell screens and the introduction of an "iTampon."
  • Concerns are raised about economic collapses, including the potential collapse of major currencies and the emergence of a police state in the US.
  • Some participants suggest that various forms of media and entertainment will evolve, including the idea that dogs will invent a sport.
  • Predictions about political events include debates over Gitmo and the possibility of a single worldwide currency.
  • There are conflicting views on technological advancements in cell phone technology, with some expecting a revolution in communication methods.
  • Speculations about societal issues include predictions of state defaults and the impact of peak oil on future events.
  • Some participants express a cynical view of future societal developments, including potential wars and social unrest.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not agree on the nature or extent of changes expected by 2020, with multiple competing views and a range of predictions presented. The discussion remains unresolved with no consensus on specific outcomes.

Contextual Notes

Many predictions are speculative and humorous, reflecting a mix of serious and lighthearted contributions. The discussion includes a variety of assumptions and conditions that are not universally accepted.

  • #31
Someone will invent a snack food that both tastes good and isn't bad for you.
 
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  • #32
WhoWee said:
Someone will invent a snack food that both tastes good and isn't bad for you.

Well for me that already exists. Not a fan of fruit WhoWee?

Monetary, I see things getting worse.

Jobs, I see things getting worse.

Population, continuing exploding.

Weather, getting colder (a plus as far as I'm concerned).

Living costs, sky-rocketing.
 
  • #33
Tropicana will drinkify snacks. However, what they never counted on, was that they would also snackify drinks!

1142710531_2hmwb-L.jpg

Source: Penny Arcade
 
  • #34
The day that Obama was elected, I made a bet with somebody that the POTUS after Obama will be more stupid than Palin.

I still think I'm going to win that one.
 
  • #35
AlephZero said:
The day that Obama was elected, I made a bet with somebody that the POTUS after Obama will be more stupid than Palin.

I still think I'm going to win that one.

What? You think he'll be re-elected?
 
  • #36
FlexGunship said:
Tropicana will drinkify snacks. However, what they never counted on, was that they would also snackify drinks!

1142710531_2hmwb-L.jpg

Source: Penny Arcade


Have you seen the other two? :smile:
#2: "I had developed the FIFTH MATTER. Solid. Liquid. Gas. Plamsa. And now, SLYRUP."

#3: "I had drinkified a snack, yes- but I had also snackified a drink. The result was a localized snackularity. And I was the very eye of the storm." (PA)

I really hope that dark matter doesn't turn out to be Slyrup.
 
  • #37
nismaratwork said:
Have you seen the other two? :smile:

I never miss Penny Arcade nor xkcd.
 
  • #38
FlexGunship said:
I never miss Penny Arcade nor xkcd.

Amen brother! *terrorist fist bump*


note: I watch too much 'Psych'...
 
  • #39
nismaratwork said:
Amen brother! *terrorist fist bump*


note: I watch too much 'Psych'...

HIJACK!

pep_rally.png
 
  • #40
FlexGunship said:
HIJACK!

pep_rally.png

:smile: I call that a good hijack!
 
  • #41
nismaratwork said:
The result was a localized snackularity.

Wasn't that the focus of a really bad Disney film circa 1979?
 
  • #42
jarednjames said:
Well for me that already exists. Not a fan of fruit WhoWee?

I have a rule - never trust anything out of a vending machine that isn't in a vac sealed package.
 
  • #43
mugaliens said:
Wasn't that the focus of a really bad Disney film circa 1979?

:smile: I can't argue the point.

WhoWee: Smart... food poisoning is so miserable...
I'll take my fruit in fruit form, as fruit... from a purveyor of food... and fruits.

Barring that, I'll drink juice before I choke down SLYRUP. :-p
 
  • #44
I checked, and no one has taken this one yet:

What will happen?...

Dogs and Cats... together... CARNALLY! *theremin music*
 
  • #45
Arizona has stopped paying for most transplants for medicaid patients. I predict that by 2020 more than 30 other states will do the same.
 
  • #46
PhilKravitz said:
Arizona has stopped paying for most transplants for medicaid patients. I predict that by 2020 more than 30 other states will do the same.

I hate what AZ is doing, but is it in fact MOST transplants? I was under the impression that it was a small minority: liver, lung, and complete bone-marrow.
 
  • #47
nismaratwork said:
I hate what AZ is doing, but is it in fact MOST transplants? I was under the impression that it was a small minority: liver, lung, and complete bone-marrow.

How long do you need to live in CA to qualify for their benefits? I heard a commentator say Berkley officials want to pay for sex change operations too - anyone familiar?
 
  • #48
WhoWee said:
How long do you need to live in CA to qualify for their benefits? I heard a commentator say Berkley officials want to pay for sex change operations too - anyone familiar?

Not at all, sorry... CA politics changes so quickly I can't keep up.
 

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