[pyritechips]

It seems incredible, indeed. Now, extrapolate that achievement 50 years into the future.

I have seen both positive and negative predictions in this thread. Will 2062 be more utopian or dystopian, and by how much?

[ekim68]

I don't know that this has been mentioned before, but in fifty years there will probably be a lot of new Island Nations because they're building them now...Find a place in the Ocean, any Ocean, and put down your roots, or even Float them...

[pyritechips]

Let's see what's involved in Island Nations. I see something either like a modern ocean liner that can house thousands of people or an anchored platform similar to the ones used for undersea drilling. Things to consider would be:

• Law. Being in international waters one would have to have a law code.
  
• Financing. I see only a consortium of billionaires being able to bank roll such a project. People moving onto the island would buy a "house" and a share. I see this being only for the rich.
  
• Energy and food supplies. Where would they come from? These would not be cheap. any successful enterprise needs an income to offset expenses. What could the island sell to the world to generate an income (tourism?)?
  
• Defense. There will still be bad guys out there. How will the island defend itself? Rescue can be included here. What arrangements could be made in the eventuality of a massive disaster like fire or tsunami?

There are probably many other critical factors that I have not thought of before such an adventure could expect to see long term success. Feel free to add them here, or critique my points above.

[valis]

Originally Posted by ekim68

I don't know that this has been mentioned before, but in fifty years there will probably be a lot of new Island Nations because they're building them now...Find a place in the Ocean, any Ocean, and put down your roots, or even Float them...

isn't that from a William Gibson book? Either him or Neal Stephenson.........

[1956brother]

cheaper to buy an island than build one. some infrastructer is already there. above, all its already on the map.

[ekim68]

Originally Posted by valis

isn't that from a William Gibson book? Either him or Neal Stephenson.........

Stephenson did have a floating city/society in Snow Crash...

[valis]

think there was one in a Gibson book as well....

[steppenwolf]

we will all eat gm monsanto food and be very half dead

we will all love it all

[ekim68]

Ah but our half dead lives may live longer with all the preservatives and chemicals, eh?

[valis]

soylent green, baby.......

[pyritechips]

Originally Posted by valis

soylent green, baby.......

And don't forget Spam.

[steppenwolf]

will countries divide into others? or will people "unify" and form a star trek type culture?

[pyritechips]

I don't see any countries dividing up, a la Yugoslovia, even though Sudan did recently. I also mentioned earlier in the thread that global unity will not happen in the foreseeable future. Humans are still far too tribal in nature. Most countries are small, with Russia, China, Canada and the US being exceptions, and even there it takes an effort to keep them together and overcome regional differences. I cite as an example the troubles within the European Community.

[steppenwolf]

50 years ago all babies will be born with a facebook account and theyll all live happily ever after tweeting and twittering the days by

[ekim68]

I think the communication aspect in fifty years will be either total communications with everyone and every Wiki, much in the way of the old Star Trek Communicators, or there will be little or no contact because of Laws....