Humanity 2211: amazing future predicted for next 200 years

By Dick Pelletier

      

    Although it's impossible to predict events two centuries ahead with 100% accuracy, by tracking breakthroughs expected in the coming years – such as stem cells and genetic engineering fighting disease; nanotech providing scarcity-free lifestyles; powerful telescopes that discover intelligent life on distant planets; then add a dash of imagination – we can create a likely scenario of our 200 year future.

    2011-2049 – During the early 21st century, biotech and nanotech were credited with improving healthcare, which reduced death rates from 50 million in 2011; to 45 million by 2020; 30 million by 2030.

    By 2035, molecular nanotech researchers began building household nanofactories. High end models that produce electronics, clothing, appliances, food, and medicine are priced from $5,000. Economy units that produce only food, clothing, and drugs are priced under $1,000, making them affordable to families in developing countries. Personal nanofactories have liberated humanity from the tyranny of material want.

    By mid-2040s, replacing biological tissues with non-biological body parts became the most requested medical procedure. Critics wonder though, does this turn us into machines; or make us less human? Most people believe that this does not affect our humanness; it only improves health and strengthens bodies.

    In late 2040s, contributors at the Human Connectome Project found ways to keep consciousness and memories intact in bodies damaged from accidents or violence, giving nanorobots time to restore the body to its pristine form. This neuro-technology interrupts events that normally lead to death. Scientists are now using this system in all death situations, which may finally move immortality from theory to reality.

    Birthrates diminished during this time also. Desire to perpetuate family lineage through children didn't make sense when it became evident that nearly all deaths might soon be preventable. In spite of reduced birth rates though, fewer deaths caused world population to rise from 7 billion in 2011, to 9 billion in 2050.

    2050-2099 – Influenced by successful Moon and Mars forays, by mid-21st century, humanity began scattering its populations to the stars. By 2100, more than a billion people live and work in space.

    In 2060, powerful new telescopes helped scientists discover a planet 600 light years from Earth, Gilas 435, with human-like intelligent life activities observed in its atmosphere. But because it has taken 600 years for these images to reach our eyes, the activities were viewing actually took place 600 years ago.

    However, our latest artificial intelligence systems can simulate advances these ETs may have made over the past 6 centuries; and predict how they might appear today, and identify the technologies they may have mastered. CGI pictures of their bodies posted on the Internet have created worldwide euphoria.

    Futurists believe these space cousins could bear an uncanny resemblance to us, and they may have developed similar technology expertise. On another note, we finally have proof that we're not alone in the cosmos. However, critics wonder if the aliens share human-like emotions, and would they be dangerous.

    Our intelligence systems indicate that Gilas 435 inhabitants pose no threat to humanity. Scientists see this as a great opportunity to exchange knowledge with another world. Many people favor sending a welcome probe, but the issue has been referred to the UN Space Security Council for recommendations.

    2100-2149 – By 2100, humanity has evolved from separate squabbling cultures into a peaceful global village working as one voice eager to explore new worlds; and we now utilize 100% of the sun's energy that strikes our planet. These feats have earned us what is described as Kardashev Type I Civilization status, a rating system designed by cosmologist Nikolai Kardashev to categorize intelligent civilizations.

    The increased energy we now enjoy has spurred development of warp-drive spaceships with faster-than-light speed travel, allowing real time intra-galactic flights to nearby stars. In 2125, the UN Space Security Council approved the launch of an undetectable nanorobot stealth ship to explore Gilas 435.

    2150-2210 – In 2160, scientists began constructing a Dyson Sphere. This futuristic idea, proposed by world renowned astronomer Freeman Dyson, captures all the sun's energy. To build this techno-wonder, nanoreplicators created tiles; and space faring nanobots arranged them to encompass the Earth and sun.

    Completed in 2180, this system accesses 100% of our star's energy and provides 252 quadrillion square miles of habitable space inside its boundaries for colonization. Commanding energy levels billions of times more than before has now earned Earth a Kardashev Type II Civilization status.

    The increased energy from harnessing our sun enables us to develop powerful technologies that allow the construction of space colonies throughout the Milky Way, and even distant probes to other galaxies.

    2211 – Human population now totals 11 billion; 4 billion live on Earth, 7 billion offworld. Many dream of reaching Type III Civilization status, controlling energy from multiple stars in the galaxy, which experts predict could happen within the millennium. Imagine a future where we control wormholes, travel through time and can visit our alternate selves in parallel universes. "We're not in Kansas any more."

    The possibilities for this "magical future" seem almost limitless. Could technologies develop in this rapid timeframe? Futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts that world information is doubling each decade. In 20 decades, we will sharpen our intelligence with billions of times more information than is available today.

    Should society become enthused with the bold scenarios described in this article, this amazing future could become reality as we wind through the next 200 years. Think positive; this future could be yours.

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.