The Next Century of Humanity

[Jchazard]

I've often found myself trying to predict what the human race will be like in the next century. I'd basically like this thread to be a topic where we can discuss how we think humanity is likely to change in the next century and bounce theoriesoff each other, almost like a think tank as I think this forum would be a very good place to house such a system. I will post discussion topics that may have to do with this, and form a starting idea as to what may happen. Some of these may be logged away automatically. As the thread goes along I will post new topics that are brought up for us to discuss. I think this will be a very intriguing topic of thought and debate for intuitive intellectuals. One of the main things we must consider is the change our species has experienced in the last hundred years. We have seen an increase in exploration since the 1500's or even earlier, changes in politics and ethics since the 1800's, changes in technology in the last 1900's, and I don't think it would be irrational to think there will be even more changes yet to come. I think one of the greatest ways we can consider the next century is to consider the past to look to the future. Since 1900 we have take flight, landed on the moon, and sent spacecraft flying at 35,000 mph through outerspace sending data back to us at earth. I find this very difficult to believe but it has happened. It would be foolish to think such changes won't incure in the future. So without further adieu, let us begin.


Considerations:

Social Evolution
Technological Advancement
Nuclear Technology
Space Colonization
Modern Medicine
Genetic Engineering
Human Ethics and Religion
Political Issues
Population Increase
Cultural Boundaries

Next 20 years:

Spanish speaking and ethnic citizens expected to overtake US by 2020.
China becoming increasingly powerful superpower.
50% of children born in 2000 expected to aquire diabetes.
Increasing gains towards socialism, capitalism, and liberalism.
Genetic discoveries affecting human health and possible alterations at birth.
Ethical issues surrounding genetics.
Moves toward green technology.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

It might be useful to look at critical turning points in history and see whether future turning points can be predicted.

For example, in 1454 Gutenberg perfected his inks and that really marked an important turning point in the mass distribution and storage of knowledge. We don't think of the printing press as so similar to the Internet, but, in many ways, it was.

The second big one that comes to mind is Bacon's New Organon. That publication ultimately led to "Bacon's Method" which we now call the scientific method. It's hard to underestimate the importance of science to the modification of human life.

Dave

 

[Vrecknidj]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

In ethics, we've basically had this run of changes...

Hobbes (1588 - 1679)
Kant (1724 - 1804)
Mill (1806 - 1873)
Rawls (1921 - 2002)

There have been a bunch of important folks dotted throughout, from MLK to Ghandi and other social reformers. Kinda hard to tell what the next big change will be in ethics though.

 

[Required Username]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

I think that 2012 will be a good thing... Or at least i hope haha. I just hope that society will uprgrade and realize that we cant continue to live the way we are. I think the human mind needs to advance, not just technology. Think about it. Trxhnology has chamged drastically over the past few hundred years, yet the human mind has stayed te same. As long as the human mind and society stay like this, we will have war, killing, and a whole lot of other bullshit. New technology will just make it worse, and we will eventuallu end up killing oursleves somehow. It probably wont be nuclear weapons, it would be artificial intelligence, engineerrd diseases, or God will just kill us an start over. It can only get worse.

Society really needs to change. Or we are screwed.

 

[milesck]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

I think that 2012 will be a good thing... Or at least i hope haha. I just hope that society will uprgrade and realize that we cant continue to live the way we are. I think the human mind needs to advance, not just technology. Think about it. Trxhnology has chamged drastically over the past few hundred years, yet the human mind has stayed te same. As long as the human mind and society stay like this, we will have war, killing, and a whole lot of other bullshit. New technology will just make it worse, and we will eventuallu end up killing oursleves somehow. It probably wont be nuclear weapons, it would be artificial intelligence, engineerrd diseases, or God will just kill us an start over. It can only get worse.

Society really needs to change. Or we are screwed.

Have you ever read about the hundredth monkey phenomenon?

 

[JarNew]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

USA turning into a military complex.

A New Age of fear yet technological advancements. A Period of Enlightenment a stalemate of human growth.

Slow times in general.

Must make very careful choices.

Think in the future.

Conceptualize external truths. Look to TV and what I SEE is I control the reality around me:smiley_emoticons_mr:smiley_emoticons_mr

 

[Anchorite]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

^The near future and the decades ahead will be anything but slow. If a new age of fear will be a defining point in this century I think it will have started in 2001 and be past its climax already, though I think there will be other periods when the technological advancement of Middle Eastern terrorists will be plastered all over the place.
Internet will be everywhere. In your TV, in the streets, in your own body. Life expectancy in the Western World will be reaching 100. I think we'll develop supersonic flight for the general population, have a colony on the moon, and several landings on Mars; the first by The U.S., followed by the E.U. and China.
In the beginnings of the second decade I finally see music getting better, so that's pretty sexy. Driver-less, electric cars, I bet, will be common by mid-century.
Vertical farms will be popping up in cities all over the place as we lose the ability to feed a growing population with current farmland, much of which wont be as productive due to climate change.
At some point during the century I bet a North American Union will take shape, or at least a unified currency.

I'm looking forward to the future. Even if it's the standard on this sight to be illogically pessimistic.

 

[Zensunni]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

In ethics, we've basically had this run of changes...

Hobbes (1588 - 1679)
Kant (1724 - 1804)
Mill (1806 - 1873)
Rawls (1921 - 2002)

There have been a bunch of important folks dotted throughout, from MLK to Ghandi and other social reformers. Kinda hard to tell what the next big change will be in ethics though.

Briefly, can you explain the contribution Kant has made to the everyday world and why Hobbes is on your list?

 

[gruesomebrat]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

I think we'll develop supersonic flight for the general population, have a colony on the moon, and several landings on Mars; the first by The U.S., followed by the E.U. and China.

I'll agree with the first two, but I'm not so sure about the third. While I'm absolutely sure that a Mars landing will happen this century, I disagree that the first will be by the United States government. For that matter, I will disagree if you try telling me that any government will make it to Mars first. The first manned trip to Mars will be funded and launched entirely by the private sector. The government has had their shot at space exploration, and for the past 3 decades, has done nothing. It's time that they step aside and let a private company give it a try, and when they do, man will establish a lunar base within 5 years, and a Mars colony within 20. The only thing stopping us from being on Mars already is a lack of interest, and that is primarily because no-one knows exactly what's out there. As soon as we find useful material in space, in an abundant supply, private companies will be chomping at the bit to get into space, and business competition will guarantee a manned exploratory mission to Mars in a maximum of 5 years. As far as when this will happen, that's anyone's guess, but my guess would be a manned mission to Mars on a ship paid for by a private sector company by 2015, and a colony on Mars by 2030.

 

[milesck]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

What about the population?
Do you think that there will eventually need to be worldwide population control similar to that of in China?

 

[Vrecknidj]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

Briefly, can you explain the contribution Kant has made to the everyday world and why Hobbes is on your list?

The Kantian principle of universalizability as a meta-rule governing moral rules is simply in force. From Hobbes we have a secular-founded social contract.

Dave

 

[Zensunni]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

The Kantian principle of universalizability as a meta-rule governing moral rules is simply in force. From Hobbes we have a secular-founded social contract.

Dave

I have no idea what the Kantian answer means. How does it affect us in our daily lives? Can you give me an example of how what he said translates into how we live our lives?

Hobbes, I have never liked and know that he is credited with what you say though he was not the only person discussing that subject at the time.

 

[Anchorite]

Re: The Next Century of Humananity

While I'm absolutely sure that a Mars landing will happen this century, I disagree that the first will be by the United States government. For that matter, I will disagree if you try telling me that any government will make it to Mars first. The first manned trip to Mars will be funded and launched entirely by the private sector. The government has had their shot at space exploration, and for the past 3 decades, has done nothing. It's time that they step aside and let a private company give it a try, and when they do, man will establish a lunar base within 5 years, and a Mars colony within 20. The only thing stopping us from being on Mars already is a lack of interest, and that is primarily because no-one knows exactly what's out there. As soon as we find useful material in space, in an abundant supply, private companies will be chomping at the bit to get into space, and business competition will guarantee a manned exploratory mission to Mars in a maximum of 5 years. As far as when this will happen, that's anyone's guess, but my guess would be a manned mission to Mars on a ship paid for by a private sector company by 2015, and a colony on Mars by 2030.

I think you're really jumping the gun there (I hate that phrase , but I couldn't think of better wording). Eventually I think the majority of space exploration will be done via private enterprise. In fact, NASA is helping in that regard by having competitions for funding and using privately made space craft to get to the ISS, but no private company has developed a craft with any chance in making it to Mars, at least not in the time that NASA could do it (roughly 6 months, by the way).
Also, planning something as simple as a moon landing takes a few years, planning the first Mars landing I'm sure would take quite a few more years. They would have to develop a whole new space craft that is roomy enough for people to live in and get exercise in, and that could hold at least a bit more fuel than they would need for a moon landing.
It is also worth noting that no private companies have legitimate plans at the moment to get to Mars, I don't think any of them have plans in place at the moment to get to the moon (though I'm hoping that comes up within the decade). The U.S., E.U., and China all have plans in place to get there in the mid to late 2030s.
I think America will make it first because NASA is just hands down the most advanced, experienced space agency there is. While I'm a bit upset that Obama decided to cut some programs I was excited about, it's still very well funded and full of people at least as smart and ambitious as you'll find anywhere else in the world.