Personal Beliefs

 

As a futurist science and technology columnist, I view life with much optimism. Born October 26, 1930, I feel confident that, barring a fatal accident, I will maintain good health and survive through this decade, 2010-2020.

 

During this decade, I will live through my 80s, which by today's standards, would be risky, but expected breakthroughs in stem cell and gene therapies between 2015 and 2020, will enable repair of body parts before they wear out. With help from these new technologies, I could end the decade at 90 years, but with a biological body of a 40'ish person.

 

The following decade, 2020-2030, will provide nanotech miracles that promise radical improvements in both health and affluence. By 2030, I hope to resemble a perfectly healthy 20-something enjoying the good life.

 

By 2035-2040, there is an excellent chance the Singularity, a point in time when machines equal or surpass human intelligence levels, combined with predicted artificial intelligence advances, will enable my mind to be copied for uploading into a newly cloned human or silicon body, should disaster strike the old one. At this time, my lifespan can be considered indefinite without fear of unwanted death.

 

Most of my articles focus on the first half of this century. From 2050 on, humanity could experience breathtaking changes beyond the imaginings of science fiction. New events may happen so fast that our view of life could change completely; and yours truly cannot wait to become part of this incredible "magical future."

 

Comments welcome.

 

Futuretalk, aka Dick Pelletier