Here are some of the developments we can look forward to within the next 20 years:In agriculture, the large-scale use of de-salinated sea water.
In medicine, the transplantation of natural organs and the use of artificial ones.
In psychiatry, the widespread application of drugs that control or modify the personality.
In education, the use of more sophisticated teaching machines.
In wordwide communication, the everyday employment of translating machines.
In industry, the extensive use of automation, up to and including some kinds of decision-making at the management level.
In space, the establishment of a permanent base upon the moon.
Some of you might say that there is nothing very surprising here. And you would be right.
Experience shows that it takes 10 to 30 years for a new idea to make its way from its inception in a scientist's mind to its general application in everyday life. Therefore, the world of 20 years from now already exists, in embryo, in today's advanced research establishments.
A theme in 1960's America that seems to pop up repeatedly is faith in a permanent moon base. Tomorrow we'll look at Hubert H. Humphrey's predicitions for the year 2000.
2 comments:
"There is no way to grasp what a shallow, contemptible and hopelessly dishonest old hack Hubert Humphrey is until you've followed him around for a while."
Hunter S. Thompson
1.No. Simply too expensive.
2.Yes. A safe bet, given that attempts had already been made.
3.Yes, but not soon enough for his opponent.
4.Yes, though perhaps not what he had in mind.
5.Yes, though still a few bugs in the system.
6.Yes, though machines are still at the blue-collar level.
7.No. What is it with these people and moon bases? What would you even do with a moon base?
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