A year ago, during his speech at Oxford University, Stephen Hawking said that humanity has no more than 1,000 years to live. But what can happen in this millennium? Are we doomed or is there a bright future for us? Let's try to make predictions for the next thousand years.
1. People can live for 1000 years
Many wealthy people are already investing heavily in research to slow or even reverse aging. It is possible that a millennium later, medical engineers will be able to develop remedies against every component that affects the aging of body tissues. We already have tools for editing genes. They can potentially help scientists control our genes and develop immunity to all diseases.
2. People will be able to move to other planets
It is possible that in 1000 years our only chance of survival will be the creation of new colonies on other planets. SpaceX, for example, is already making plans to transform humanity into a space civilization and create a self-sufficient settlement on Mars. Elon Musk hopes to launch the first spacecraft by 2022 to reach Mars by 2024.
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3. All people will look the same
Dr. Kwan conducted an experiment in which he made the assumption that in 100,000 years all people will be alike. Distinctive features will be large nostrils and eyes, a large forehead, and darker skin. This scenario seems quite realistic given that even modern scientists are trying to find a way to edit genomes that would allow parents to choose the appearance of their children in the future.
4. Super-fast intelligent computer systems will appear
In 2014, a supercomputer performed the most accurate simulation of the human brain to date. A thousand years from now, computers will be able to predict coincidences and exceed the computational speed of the human brain, as well as instantly solve problems that modern computers take decades to do.
In the new century, quantum computers will help us develop more effective drugs and diagnoses, explore space and drive cars. At the same time, quantum computing can pose a real threat to privacy and information security.
5. People will turn into cyborgs
Machines are already helping people improve their eyesight and hearing. Modern scientists and engineers are trying to create bionic eyes that can restore vision to blind people. It is quite possible that in the 21st century, merging with technology will be the only opportunity to compete with artificial intelligence.
Combining the human mind with a computer will create a superbrain that can perform complex equations and search the Internet using thought processes.
6. A mass extinction will occur
The latest mass extinction has led to the extinction of dinosaurs from the face of the Earth. New research shows that species extinction rates in the 20th century were 100 times higher than under normal conditions without human influence. Some scientists are confident that our civilization will be able to survive only if the planet's population gradually decreases.
7. People in all countries will speak the same language
The reason for the emergence of a universal language can be the modernization of modern ones. Many linguists assume that within 100 years, as a result of migration, 90% of modern languages will disappear, and the rest will be simplified. The Tower of Babel scenario seems unlikely, however.
8. Buildings can be collected if necessary
In the future, humans will probably be able to create a virtual world around them using the concept of useful fog. This idea was presented by Dr. Hall. Useful fog is a polymorphic material composed of trillions of interconnected microscopic "robots" that can take any shape.
9. Nanotechnology will solve the problem of energy and pollution
It is hoped that in a thousand years, with the help of nanotechnology, we will be able to compensate for the damage done to the environment, for example, purify water and air from pollution, as well as use the energy of the Sun. With the help of new materials, it will be possible to use new environmentally friendly and more efficient energy storage technologies.
Anna Pismenna