I would like to invite all writers, editors, commentators and readers to make some major predictions for the future that they believe will transpire by or around certain future dates. I ran this idea by Joe Gandelman last week who told me to run with it.
These “revelations” can concern science, technology, environment, wars and militaries, climate change, healthcare, religion, politics, economics, business, finance/banking, the performing arts, style/fashion, the media and mass communications, transportation, sports, sex, space exploration, or any other subject that is of special interest to them or upon which they possess particular expertise or “clairvoyance.”
I would like each participant to provide at least 4 but not more than 9 specific prognostications for the following 4 dates (time periods):
(1) January 2, 2011
(2) December 30, 2012
(3) January 2, 2020
(4) December 30, 2030
You can also include predictions that might come true sometime between those dates but would still be in existence or relevant for historical purposes on those 4 specific dates. (For example, the U.S. dollar ceases to be a viable world currency except for Internet Monopoly Games at the same time as the DOW hits 35,000 in June of 2015. Those 2 predictions could properly be included under either subcategory 2 or 3 above.)
These predictions should reflect our hopes, fears, fancies, playfulness, and some heartfelt thought. However, submissions do not need extensive explanations or justifications based upon historical trends. You can simply jump to the various conclusions as would any clairvoyant.
I would request that everyone please avoid specific prognostications about any particular public individuals (unless provided in light-hearted jest. TMV is not designed to be an online tabloid.) We should also avoid any discussions of the untimely deaths of individuals, but predictions of widespread loss of life due to climate change, war, eathquake, disease, or other events would be appropriate. Stunning revelations about the complete demise of particular political parties, businesses, nations, and cultural trends are highly encouraged.
I personally predicted the massive financial and economic collapse of 2008 back in 2004, though I had been harping pretty continuously about these dismal subjects for several years before and since 2004 without bothering to issue any formal public pronouncement. I only told some friends and family while I was still living in Cleveland, Ohio – not a place where happy thoughts are frequently launched. Unfortunately I did not post on TMV before 2009 or elsewhere on the Internet to prove my special clairvoyant powers. I actually was not too sure exactly when the collapse was going to happen but I said in 2004 it would occur within 3 to 7 years and last about 3 to 5 years.
I would like to assemble, compare, distribute, publish and save these prognostications so everyone will be able to compare notes when these dates finally arrive. We will have to provide special recognition for those who guess the best and some friendly ridicule for those who predict the worst. I am positive enough that I hope to be around in 2020 and 2030, but I’m not too sure of much beyond that time.
Regular TMV bloggers can provide predictions in their own posts, readers can leave comments below, and everyone can send their suggestions to my email: [email protected]. Please put everything in the body of your email and please also avoid any attachments. Thanks to everyone in advance for their participation, and happy prognosticating from Marc Pascal.