Final Project Aicon Sequence

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A Future of Better and Worse

When trying to imagine the future the first thing I write off is flying cars. It’s pretty sad that the people in the past imagined we would have flying cars now when we can’t even come up with a reliable alternate energy source to run regular cars. I would imagine a future much like our own, but information and secrets flow more freely, people are even more reliant on the Internet, and several things become obsolete.

We need to face facts, cables and wires for power or any purpose are a pain. They take up space, get tangled, and are just annoying. However within ten years technology may reach the level to eliminate cords to a degree. Right now scientists have successfully powered a 60 watt light bulb from 2 meters away without wires. This was done through the use of magnetic fields which do not harm people and can be used to power things without wasting energy. Though it is doubtful that this method would replace power cables by 2018 the technology will likely be in airports, hotels and in several other areas where business takes place. It may even have a limited availability in homes. This WiTricity, or wireless electricity, would mostly be used for cell phones, laptops, and other wireless technology.

Television, one of the most powerful mediums is going to die. I don’t even watch television anymore, because I hate the over abundance of commercials. Why watch television when you have to turn it on at certain time, and wait through a dozen commercials, when you can watch anything, at any time online, for free, and usually with only 2 or no commercials. The writer’s strike that took place not too long ago had to do with the writers not receiving compensation for their shows being streamed online. That just goes to show the increasing power of watching things online. I envision the computer, television, and many other mediums just combining into one thing.

Sites like My Space and Face Book are slowly decreasing the privacy of our lives. It is true that right now you can set it to “friends only privacy”, but with so much open communication on the web I believe people will become more and more open to everyone. Just putting all this information about you up for people to see can and has lead to highly dangerous real life circumstances.

The jobs of the future will be different in two ways. With communication advancing to such levels it will become less important to meet in person. A higher percent of jobs will become work at home jobs. Also small businesses will flourish greatly thanks to sites like Amazon and Ebay. Also by this time natives of the cyber age will be all around, and they will want to do things differently. Old outdated business methods will be thrown out and more digital methods will be brought in. Internet connections will be several times faster by then so video conferences can run completely flawlessly even by small businesses.

With the growing power of the net, cash will still be used but barely. All physical sellers will make it difficult not to use credit or debit cards. Whether they implement special lanes or provide huge bonus deals cash users will get ripped off every time. Though it is not exactly the same, my super market requires a bonus card in order to get big deals. I always pay extra, because I just have never taken the time to get this card. I still prefer coupons over a bonus card. At least coupons don’t require you to register or fill out paper work.

Sadly I believe the government will eventually pass legislation for a national ID. It is only a matter of time. All that is needed are the right politicians in the states, or a big terrorist attack which would put citizens in a panic. A national ID would meld the states together limiting their power. Naturally microchips will be implanted in these IDs by then. This is very believable as they are already doing this with passports. Though perhaps not by 2018 it would also be natural to expect the ID to become multi-purposed, meaning it could be used as a credit card or a bonus card. Unification is a dangerous thing which can lead to the loss of freedom and options.

The future will present a unifying element which will expand with technology. The national ID can’t be stopped forever. It will eventually force its way through. Well it will definitely ruin state rights, but least we’ll be enjoying wireless power, hopefully.