NationStates Jolt Archive


Visions of the Future

Bolol
27-09-2006, 23:50
I've been hearing alot of talk about such things as "torture", and "enemy combatants" and "unjust detainment" and "wiretapping without warrants" and "suspension of Habeas Corpus" and of course "revolution".

This is most certainly a most...interesting time...to be alive...What I would like to know is: Where do you see the United State at ten years from now?

Clicky clicky above.
Trotskylvania
27-09-2006, 23:51
I've been hearing alot of talk about such things as "torture", and "enemy combatants" and "unjust detainment" and "wiretapping without warrants" and "suspension of Habeas Corpus" and of course "revolution".

This is most certainly a most...interesting time...to be alive...What I would like to know is: Where do you see the United State at ten years from now?

Clicky clicky above.

Well, if the trend continues, I see lots of goose stepping, flag waving and invasions of small countries for lebensraum.
Neo Kervoskia
27-09-2006, 23:51
About the same place, except taller.
Rhaomi
27-09-2006, 23:52
I found the backstory of the movie "V for Vendetta" to be remarkably prescient. The War on Terror expanding into other countries, freedoms evaporating in the name of security, people voluntarily submitting to fascist regimes that will save them from the terrorists. Granted, the whole "masked man" thing was a bit out there, but the other stuff didn't seem too far-fetched, if things stay on their current course.
Drunk commies deleted
27-09-2006, 23:53
Ten years from now? Out of Iraq, still in Afghanistan. Democratic president and possibly democratic congress with republicans looking to take it in the mid terms. Maintaining a strong economy with more emphasis on making energy efficient products and alternative energy production.
The Psyker
27-09-2006, 23:56
Ten years from now? Out of Iraq, still in Afghanistan. Democratic president and possibly democratic congress with republicans looking to take it in the mid terms. Maintaining a strong economy with more emphasis on making energy efficient products and alternative energy production.

Sounds good
Kryozerkia
27-09-2006, 23:57
Hm... "other"...
Bolol
27-09-2006, 23:57
Ten years from now? Out of Iraq, still in Afghanistan. Democratic president and possibly democratic congress with republicans looking to take it in the mid terms. Maintaining a strong economy with more emphasis on making energy efficient products and alternative energy production.

I would love a return to the relatively mundane.
Drunk commies deleted
27-09-2006, 23:59
I would love a return to the relatively mundane.

Mundane? Oh, I forgot the new virus that makes people randomly mutate into giant, carvivorous, pink and orange panda bears.
Swilatia
27-09-2006, 23:59
pah. forget the us. there are other countries in the world.
Markreich
27-09-2006, 23:59
Well, if the trend continues, I see lots of goose stepping, flag waving and invasions of small countries for lebensraum.

The United States hasn't siezed territory and incorporated it into the Union since the Spanish American War. :rolleyes:
Drunk commies deleted
28-09-2006, 00:00
pah. forget the us. there are other countries in the world.

Yeah, for now.
Call to power
28-09-2006, 00:04
I remain optimistic anything can happen in 10 years and it will usually be slightly better if History tells us anything (though I will be 26 so the world will be a terrible place for me indeed)

hears me hoping for a more European America 2016 (only with legal marijuana in every state:) )
Markreich
28-09-2006, 00:05
I predict improved: Very likely there will be better energy efficiency, the missions in Afghanistan or Iraq will have been decided one way or another, and I’ll only be 27 years to retirement…
Markreich
28-09-2006, 00:06
I remain optimistic anything can happen in 10 years and it will usually be slightly better if History tells us anything (though I will be 26 so the world will be a terrible place for me indeed)

hears me hoping for a more European America 2016 (only with legal marijuana in every state:) )

That'd be equitable. After all, we have McDonalds in almost every European country.... :D
Posi
28-09-2006, 00:09
Everyone will work for either MS or Apple.
Swilatia
28-09-2006, 00:09
Yeah, for now.

you say the us will take over the world. i know wery well that it wants to but won't.
Evil Cantadia
28-09-2006, 00:10
The United States hasn't siezed territory and incorporated it into the Union since the Spanish American War. :rolleyes:

That being the operative portion. The US has been quite happy to seize territory and not incorporate it into the Union. Little colonies ... or protectorates, or whatever you call them ...
Trotskylvania
28-09-2006, 01:09
The United States hasn't siezed territory and incorporated it into the Union since the Spanish American War. :rolleyes:

Who says it won't happen again? We've got enough patriotic jingoism flying around that I think we could definitely see some goose stepping.
Naliitr
28-09-2006, 01:24
Benedict Arnold masks man, Benedict Arnold masks.
Entropic Creation
28-09-2006, 01:25
The US will continue its slow death.
We will continue to be plagued with ever worsening bureaucracy and litigation with the added spin of further erosion of privacy in the name of safety.

People will continue to clamor for the right not to be offended, the right to sue others for their own stupidity, and to be given a false sense of security from all the bogeymen in the world.

Politicians will continue to pander to the lowest common denominator or the lunatic fringe in an ever divided political arena.
Minaris
28-09-2006, 01:25
Ten years from now? Out of Afghanistan , still in Iraq. Democratic president and possibly democratic congress with republicans looking to take it in the mid terms. Barley maintaining an effective economy 9due to the oil problems) with more emphasis on making energy efficient products and alternative energy production.

Edited for accuracy.
Trotskylvania
28-09-2006, 01:25
Benedict Arnold masks man, Benedict Arnold masks.

Whatever works. Personally, I think the Guy Fawkes masks are cooler.
Naliitr
28-09-2006, 01:34
Whatever works. Personally, I think the Guy Fawkes masks are cooler.

Yeah, but what did Guy Fawkes ever do to take down America?
Markreich
28-09-2006, 01:44
Who says it won't happen again? We've got enough patriotic jingoism flying around that I think we could definitely see some goose stepping.

Turn off the TV and go talk to people. Cable TV news is not reality.
Markreich
28-09-2006, 01:55
That being the operative portion. The US has been quite happy to seize territory and not incorporate it into the Union. Little colonies ... or protectorates, or whatever you call them ...

Do you feel like citing an example?

I'm thinking about those little colonies we have called Germany and Japan for example... (yeah, right!)
Grainne Ni Malley
28-09-2006, 02:30
I predict a series of civil wars. Eventually, depending on the outcome Mexico will either become Mini USA or the USA will become Mexico 2 or something. Either way there will be a merger. Then Canada will blow us into the water and we'll become a series of islands. The United Islands of Mexico. UIM.

I never said I was psychic. :p
German Nightmare
28-09-2006, 11:57
The United States of America will have completed their transition from "land of the free, home of brave" to "land of the 'fraid, home of the save" in ten years time.
Englaland
28-09-2006, 12:06
I found the backstory of the movie "V for Vendetta" to be remarkably prescient. The War on Terror expanding into other countries, freedoms evaporating in the name of security, people voluntarily submitting to fascist regimes that will save them from the terrorists. Granted, the whole "masked man" thing was a bit out there, but the other stuff didn't seem too far-fetched, if things stay on their current course.


I don't think it's possible for a fascist Great Britain to arise from the aftermath of an American-Soviet nuclear war in these circumstances.
Englaland
28-09-2006, 12:09
Remember Peak Oil, people, remember Peak Oil...
Vetalia
28-09-2006, 16:07
Remember Peak Oil, people, remember Peak Oil...

I do, which is why I feel that the US is going to be worse off within the next 10 years. It's not going to collapse politically or economically, but we'll be looking at a period of 1970's-style stagflation or even late 70's inflationary recessions until we transition from oil to alternatives. It'll be rough, but it's not going to be the end of the US or its economy. At the very least, it will greatly help alleviate the problems caused by fossil fuels, like global warming, acid rain, and side effects like increased obesity and urban sprawl.

Once we've weathered that rough time, however, the US is going to be greatly improved. The environment will be cleaner, our economy healthier and more sustainable, and we will not be dependent on tyrants, plutocrats and terrorists for our energy resources.
Soviestan
28-09-2006, 16:14
10 years for now it will still be the greatest empire the world has ever known.
Greyenivol Colony
28-09-2006, 16:42
Do you feel like citing an example?

I'm thinking about those little colonies we have called Germany and Japan for example... (yeah, right!)

I believe he was refering to Puerto Rico and Guam and many other terretories that are owned by the American state but not represented at a federal level.
Greyenivol Colony
28-09-2006, 16:47
I don't think the USA as an entity will survive whatever goes down in December 2012.

I predict privatised city-states run by corporations and warlords roaming where government dares not tread.
Ethicania
28-09-2006, 17:06
I don't think it's possible for a fascist Great Britain to arise from the aftermath of an American-Soviet nuclear war in these circumstances.

Me neither. But:

a) have to remember how radicalised the left became in the Thatcher years.

b) he's talking about the recent film, not the original comic. Fairly different storylines, apart from having the same main characters. Incidentally, I thought Lewis Prothero as an uber-Richard Littlejohn-type TV presenter was a good adaptation.
Ethicania
28-09-2006, 17:30
I don't think the USA as an entity will survive whatever goes down in December 2012.

I predict privatised city-states run by corporations and warlords roaming where government dares not tread.


Why? What's happening in 6 yrs time? is there some secret plot?

Seriously. What you on about?
Drunk commies deleted
28-09-2006, 17:38
you say the us will take over the world. i know wery well that it wants to but won't.

It already has.
Drunk commies deleted
28-09-2006, 17:41
I believe he was refering to Costa Rica and Guam and many other terretories that are owned by the American state but not represented at a federal level.

Surely you mean Puerto Rico. Though it might be nice to have Costa Rica as well. I hear the resorts over there are very nice.
Ice Hockey Players
28-09-2006, 17:43
Why? What's happening in 6 yrs time? is there some secret plot?

Seriously. What you on about?

The Maya calendar predicts the end of the world as we know it in 2012, whatever that means. Probably not a whole lot.

I imagine we will see more cars powered solely by ethanol in 2016, places where you can get ethanol conversions done for older cars, and other sources of fuel popping up. Oil will be out of luck, that part of the economy will be in the toilet, and other things will take its place. A hit to the economy? Sure. But at least we can flip off the Middle East in terms of being nice to them. Which is good, because the Wahhabists will completely run Saudi Arabia by then AND they will run Iraq. Afghanistan will probably be run by warlords or something. Iran will toss out the Ayatollah and clerics and become a free republic. The seeds for a Saudi revolution to toss off the shackles of Sharia will be sown.
Zilam
28-09-2006, 17:47
Viva la revolucion!
Bolol
28-09-2006, 19:21
The Maya calendar predicts the end of the world as we know it in 2012, whatever that means. Probably not a whole lot.

The Maya Calender pridicts NOTHING in December 2012, because it just ENDS. There's no specifics beyond that. One thing that I do know about the Mayans is that they did not believe in an "end" as we know it; they believed in a self-perpetuating universe. If anything does go down in 2012, I don't think it will be "the end", but more like a new beginning.

And more to the matter at hand...The poll results are a little bit frightening.
New New Lofeta
28-09-2006, 20:07
The Maya Calender pridicts NOTHING in December 2012, because it just ENDS. There's no specifics beyond that. One thing that I do know about the Mayans is that they did not believe in an "end" as we know it; they believed in a self-perpetuating universe. If anything does go down in 2012, I don't think it will be "the end", but more like a new beginning.

And more to the matter at hand...The poll results are a little bit frightening.

Don't worry... It's just the overdramatic users of NSG!
Andaluciae
28-09-2006, 20:18
Unchanged.
[NS]Trilby63
28-09-2006, 20:19
10 years for now it will still be the greatest empire the world has ever known.

Puhlease.. As far as empires goes it's not even in the top five..
Qwystyria
28-09-2006, 20:30
Ten years isn't very long, and change comes slowly, if it comes at all. I don't think we're anywhere near a major shift. Sure, there'll be a few changes, but nothing major.
Swilatia
28-09-2006, 20:34
It already has.

prove it.
Barbaric Tribes
28-09-2006, 21:25
The Maya Calender pridicts NOTHING in December 2012, because it just ENDS. There's no specifics beyond that. One thing that I do know about the Mayans is that they did not believe in an "end" as we know it; they believed in a self-perpetuating universe. If anything does go down in 2012, I don't think it will be "the end", but more like a new beginning.

And more to the matter at hand...The poll results are a little bit frightening.

Wrong, they did predict something. It says that the current "world" will be destroyed and a new world will replace it. It does not necsisarily mean the world will be destroyed. It bassically jsut means the world as we know it will come end. That could be a good thing. It could be horrid.
Bolol
28-09-2006, 23:42
Wrong, they did predict something. It says that the current "world" will be destroyed and a new world will replace it. It does not necsisarily mean the world will be destroyed. It bassically jsut means the world as we know it will come end. That could be a good thing. It could be horrid.

I've heard stories about the new Age of Aquarius, where peace, prosperity and progress will rule the day. I would so definately like to see that.

I've also heard some not-so-good predictions, like the dead rising from their graves to retake the planet from the living. But I hear "Zombie invasion" and I think..."Hmm...could be fun..."
H N Fiddlebottoms VIII
28-09-2006, 23:47
I've heard stories about the new Age of Aquarius, where peace, prosperity and progress will rule the day. I would so definately like to see that.
I've heard stories about the Age of Target, were all the Mayans would have to go out and buy new calendars. Since the entire Mayan empire is dead, this would probably entail a certain form of "Zombie Invasion", but no where near as interesting as you might expect.
Vetalia
28-09-2006, 23:50
I've heard stories about the Age of Target, were all the Mayans would have to go out and buy new calendars. Since the entire Mayan empire is dead, this would probably entail a certain form of "Zombie Invasion", but no where near as interesting as you might expect.

At least it's not the Age of Wal Mart...
Arrkendommer
28-09-2006, 23:52
Ten years from now? Out of Iraq, still in Afghanistan. Democratic president and possibly democratic congress with republicans looking to take it in the mid terms. Maintaining a strong economy with more emphasis on making energy efficient products and alternative energy production.
Hah! *giggles*
I wish it were so...
But it's more likely to be a postapocolyptic wasteland ravaged by roving zombies and rampant executive powers.
Arrkendommer
28-09-2006, 23:57
At least it's not the Age of Wal Mart...

Wal-Mart is controlled by bloodthirsty Lexus-driving Orcs.
Vetalia
29-09-2006, 00:10
Wal-Mart is controlled by bloodthirsty Lexus-driving Orcs.

Uruk-hai pwn orcs, so that's why it's the age of Target rather than of Wal-Mart.

If Wal-mart is Mordor and Target is Orthanc, what does that make Costco?
Markreich
29-09-2006, 00:20
I believe he was refering to Puerto Rico and Guam and many other terretories that are owned by the American state but not represented at a federal level.

Hmm. Which were taken *during* the Spanish American War. Funny, that...
Maineiacs
29-09-2006, 00:31
Doesn't much matter to me, because in all likelyhood, the Fundamentalist Theocracy regime will have executed me by then for my political and/or religious beliefs.

And no, I'm not kidding.
H N Fiddlebottoms VIII
29-09-2006, 00:34
At least it's not the Age of Wal Mart...
Y'know, I wrote it out as the Age of Wal-Mart at first, but decided that that would be just too horrifying a prophecy for anyone to believe it.
Bolol
29-09-2006, 00:55
Doesn't much matter to me, because in all likelyhood, the Fundamentalist Theocracy regime will have executed me by then for my political and/or religious beliefs.

And no, I'm not kidding.

Now THAT frightens me.
Forsakia
29-09-2006, 01:32
According to continental drift America should be about 5-10cms north west of where it is now.

*apologises profusely*
Ice Hockey Players
29-09-2006, 17:10
Wrong, they did predict something. It says that the current "world" will be destroyed and a new world will replace it. It does not necsisarily mean the world will be destroyed. It bassically jsut means the world as we know it will come end. That could be a good thing. It could be horrid.

Thank you. I never claimed the world would end on that day and we would all be dead. Rather, something will happen, according to them. What will it be? Probably nothing, really. The only reason we notice is that it gives a clearly defined timeframe for when something will happen.

Certainly, the Age of Aquarius is seen as a time of peace and understanding, but that goes against our very human nature. I don't quite know when they claim that the Age of Aquarius will begin.
Zolworld
29-09-2006, 17:52
Hopefully in ten years there will have been at least one term of democrat government, that should be enough to turn it around a bit. Hell, they might be finishing up a second term, and things cou8ld be pretty good.
Naturalog
30-09-2006, 16:50
The United States will be improved, meaning the intent of the Constitution will be followed once again. How will it be improved? Because by then, I will be kosmokrator, and the United States and all other nations of the world will fall under my universal domain.
Actually, the US should improve because its citizens realize much of what is going on is wrong, and will try to fix it, through votes, grassroots movements, etc. Americans are not stupid, and if enough people see that what the current administration does in the name of "freedom" is not actually free or good,they will show their displeasure.
Naturality
30-09-2006, 18:58
Hmm .. can't decide between police state, major Political shift or self destruction.