The World 2050

[Mint]

WARNING: Very out there, even by the standards of this thread.

US

- The US has retreated into itself, developing a reputation as an recovering, deeply conservative 'hermit kingdom.' The US has a regionalized, multi party system and far smaller federal government. The 'New-New Left'  has experienced a come back however.
- United States is roughly developed world after about 1-2 generations of struggling (after the 'Greatest Depression' of the 2010s). Quality of life is substantially improved but most professions would be considered 'blue collar' by current standards. Manufacturing, farming, etc. make up a much higher percentage of the economy than now.
- The 'Sun Belt' experienced an exodus of people as economic crisis and various ecological crises took their toll (e.g. Central/Southern Californian Water Shortages). No area was left unscathed, but the west and midwest fared best overall.
- Fossil Fuel use and 'the car culture' are far smaller than now. The US was essentially forced to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and by extension, the modern highway system.
- The US and Mexico are closer, but only after Mexico's narco-gang situation and economic situation essentially caused that country to go into meltdown. US relations with West Europe are fairly positive although there is some lingering resentment on the part of the former. Relations with China have collapsed (post dollar crash) but Japan and Korea are somewhat friendlier particularly with the North Korean crisis resolved.


World Politics (Continued)

- Terrorism has declined post-2020s, but after violent flare ups throughout the 2010s spurred in part through US actions to prop up the unstable Afghani/Pakistani and Saudi regimes.
- 'Globalization' as we think of it essentially ended between 2010-2025. The US currency crisis, socialist and nationalist movements, oil price shocks, etc. all contributed to this. New global finance systems have emerged, but they are far more restrained and economies tend to be much more regionalized than now.
- China has essentially fractured after having decoupled itself from its former partner/debtor. Problems behind their implosion include a growing muslim and christian population, pollution, an angry working and middle class...
- India was devastated by the implosion of the US as well as food, energy shortages. It has recovered in time however, now enjoying a much better quality of life in the last few decades.
- West Europe has experienced a comeback, with France asserting itself as a major regional power. It has moved to the right and the muslim population has declined (a reaction to the chaos of 20-30 years prior). There are some noticeable exceptions to this trend however, they tend to be more of the Green persuasion.
- Russia is a developed nation finally, after decades of struggling to get the AIDs crisis and corruption under control. It's undergoing considerable liberalization now as the burgeoning middle class finally demands more of its leaders.
- Africa experienced horrific die offs, hitting rock bottom in the 2020s. It hasn't really recovered outside of a few exceptions such as South Africa.
- The mideast is increasingly seen as irrelevant due to energy development. Turkey and Lebanon are 1st world nations. Israel while still around is far more marginalized than previously in the wake of the USA's decline. Saudi Arabia fell and took Yemen with it. Afghanistan and Iraq are best left unmentioned.
- Brazil is a major regional power in Latin America. It has modernized its infrastructure and social services and absorbed many American ex-pats. Crime; Corruption is at average levels now.

Technology and Misc. Stuff

- AI advances enormously, but there is no 'singularity' type event.
- 'Smart Clothes' (fabrics displaying/intergating information), military bodysuits, cybernetics, etc. are ubiquitous.
- Cars are still around, though all are electric and trains are used frequently for both short and long distance travel.
- Most developed nations have started serious mining of Helium-3, Lithium, etc. Lunar, Astroid Colonies are a reality. This is viewed as a necessity at this point.
- Virtual Reality and Video Games are still around and extremely immersive, but society has become wary of their negative effects - addiction, depersonalization, etc. as well as the deterioration of social skills. There are serious efforts taking place to combat these trends.
- Smart phones and laptops have replaced PCs for daily use.
- Life expectancy in developed nations exceeds 100 and anti aging technologies have worked wonders. Nonetheless, euthanasia is seen as socially acceptable now.
- Renewable energy is the norm. Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, etc. account for a substantial amount of energy as well particularly in the US. Various synthetics and 'biological' alternatives are being used in lieu of plastic.
- Blimp travel became common again in response to oil price spikes.
- Urban centers grow, suburbs decline due to crash in home value, gas price spikes, etc. Home ownership is not the norm.
- HIV/AIDS vaccine is in circulation, and has spurred serious movements to reform or even abolish patent laws. The most extremist of these movements are the infosocialists, some of which are now terrorist in nature.
- Genetic engineering and cloning. has dramatically outpaced society's ability to regulate the process. Illegal designer babies, clones (including of humans), and GMO crops are the norm. The right, left and center are very divided on these issues, with luddite 'bio-conservatives' and greens on one extreme end and 'evolutionary conservatives' and 'liberal eugenicists' on another.