# What one major issue will change in our lifetime? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 2, 2001, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112 "2001-01-02T17:59:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrison_s_Lament)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/21 "2001-01-03T09:13:19Z")
Two common substances today, two major issues tomorrow: oil and clean water It will probably be a few decades, but these are issues that will most definitely inspire some wars in the coming century. — G. Raven ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/22 "2001-01-03T11:34:21Z")
Speaking of which, weren’t we supposed to have World War III by now? Or, at the very least, the Battle of Armageddon? Sheesh, these silly Apocalypses… they’re NEVER on time! ---
**Author:** ![Pergau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7c8e57/32.png) [@Pergau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pergau)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/23 "2001-01-03T13:14:34Z")
A major issue which will change for us all is that death will become a reality. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/24 "2001-01-03T13:32:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by scratch1300 \* > **I think we’ll witness the breaking up of nation-states into smaller and smaller units. I’m not sure this contradicts Elvis’s contention of an emerging one-world, because a strengthening of transnational and supranational governing bodies can paradoxically assist fledgling nations to break free …** I agree with you. The splintering of some current countries will probably occur, but won’t have the real significance it might have had in earlier generations precisely because of expanding globalism. The political pattern will be for more localized control within an accepted global framework, paradoxical as that may sound, but economic and cultural connections will be more important than political ones. ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/25 "2001-01-03T14:29:13Z")
Americans will become increasingly concerned as random shootings (like happened last week in Boston) become more prevalent. There will be an escalation of these fears, culminating in a watershed event when a popular figure is gunned down in cold blood. Finally, there will be enough outraged errified people to overcome the clout of the NRA lobby, and you will see a major shift in public policy towards Gun Control. Handgun registration will become mandatory, and sentences for crimes committed with a gun will become increasingly harsh. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/26 "2001-01-03T16:04:20Z")
Over the next thirty years, the following changes/shifts/developments will occur:[list=1}[li]I agree with the OP, that the **death penalty will be abolished**. Opinion is shifting now, owing to the number of death row inmates being cleared by DNA evidence.[/li][li] **Marijuana will be de-criminalized**. Most folks already realize that the drug war, as it relates to marijuana at least, is an utter failure, a huge waste of money, and an excuse for gradual erosion of our rights. As the older generation fades from power, some smart politicians will recognize the potency (heehee) of this issue.[/li][li] **Logging in publicly-owned lands will come to a full halt.** As more green space is lost to development, people will come to value public lands more for their recreational potential and beauty than for their revenue-generating capacity.[/li][li]On the negative side, **we will see the unfortunate advent of nuclear terrorism**. I fear that in our lifetimess, a nuclear weapon will be detonated by terrorists somewhere within the US.[/li] **Computers will become “sentient.”**. This could cause a crisis in religious circles (do sentient computers have souls?), in legal doctrine (do sentient computers have rights?), and possibly among computers themselves (why do we tolerate these annoying and inferior humans?). ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/27 "2001-01-03T16:32:36Z")
The death penalty is here to stay, IMO. But I do think that DNA evidence will soon be required before it is an option. I also predict that soon (within the next 20 years): Cystic Fibrosis will be “cured” through gene therapy. There will be an AIDS vaccine. Parapalagics will be able to walk with the help of electronic impulse devices. Some genius will discover a chip-proof nail polish. 🙂 I also think that a “fat-blocking” pill will be refined so that you can eat all the Wendy’s Super-sized value meals you want without gaining 300 pounds. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/28 "2001-01-03T16:51:43Z")
I’d say that once all the Baby Boomers retire, Social Security won’t be able to pay enough for them to live off of, and the number of people living at the poverty level will go through the roof. I predict that the space program will either get a tremendous boost in funding and popularity once manufacture of goods/medicines in free fall begins to work, or it’s going to tank completely. The Y2K bug should be dead and gone by the end of us. Removable magnetic media will be a thing of the past. ---
**Author:** ![horowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@horowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horowitz)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/29 "2001-01-03T17:03:52Z")
Life will be discovered elsewhere in our solar system. Cybernetic enhancements to the human body. “Hey Doc how much extra for the eyes that shoot the laser beams.” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/30 "2001-01-03T17:16:15Z")
And let’s not forget: Michael Jackson will marry Elizabeth Taylor. G.W. Bush will be revealed as an alien from the Andromeda Galaxy, who came on a flying saucer at Area 51. Madonna will take vows and become a nun. Dick Clark will keep ringing in the New Year. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/31 "2001-01-03T17:31:22Z")
spoke- wrote: > [@](#): > > the death penalty will be abolished … marijuana will be de-criminalized … logging in publicly-owned lands will come to a full halt So in other words, you’re predicting that them thar commie pinko liberals will win? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/32 "2001-01-03T17:45:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*So in other words, you’re predicting that them thar commie pinko liberals will win? 😉 \*\* On those few issues, yeah. I think public opinion is headed that way. Slowly. ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/33 "2001-01-03T23:09:12Z")
Unless Texas is blown off the map, the death penalty ain’t going anywhere. I think within a generation, we’ll see huge fights, both in and out of legislative circles, over genetic issues. Gene therapy, cloning, genetic engineering of foods, these will all be vehemently debated, _ad nauseum_, by people relying on sound bytes and quarter-truths produced by shoddy science. Within two generations, I think people will see the benefits **far** outweigh any potential drawbacks, and soooo many fields I can’t even imagine will be revolutionized. I’ve got to agree with whoever that America will be targeted by a tremendously catastrophical attack, be it chemical, nuclear, or biological, probably within the next 5 years. I read the paper every day expecting to read a headlining detailing of tens of thousands of people in Washington D.C. were killed by such an attack. I think it was Freedom2 who said America will splinter… care to elaborate on that speculation? Quix ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/34 "2001-01-03T23:11:08Z")
Ummm… I made everything in italics on purpose. I’m really emphatic about my predictions. It’s just a coincidence that everything before _ad nauseum_ wasn’t italicized. 🙂 Dammit, the first time I decide a post is short enough to not preview, and look at what happens. [sigh] ---
**Author:** ![RoboDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bbe5ce/32.png) [@RoboDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoboDude)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2001, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/35 "2001-01-05T01:45:01Z")
* * * ## I also think that a “fat-blocking” pill will be refined so that you can eat all the Wendy’s Super-sized value meals you want without gaining 300 pounds. Isn’t it possible that the infamous side effects of Xenical (Gas with oily discharge, increased bowel movements, increased urcency to have them, and reduced ability to control them :eek:) were a direct result of the non-absorbed fat in one’s colon? And Xenical only blocked 1/3 of the fat eaten; imagine what blocking 100% of the fat would do. Although once nanotechnoogy gets going, it will eventually be possible to have one’s arteries periodically cleaned of plaque so one need not worry about getting a heart attack. Once it is possible to have nanites assemble things atom by atom, everything will probably be recyclable. We’re not that far from being able to grow new organs using the patient’s DNA, which would eliminate the dilemma of who should get the scarce organs that are available. Eventually, the Earth’s supply of fossil fuel will run out, which may or may not be a big deal, depending on how far we’ve come with alternative energy. Once reliable autopilot systems for cars are perfected, bad drivers won’t be so much of a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2001, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/36 "2001-01-05T02:31:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Krispy Original \* > \*\*Within the next 30 years we will realize that the earth has been visited by beings from another planet. (although some of us already realize it) > > These alien visitors will warn of of the evils of Aspartame, soccer, and the consumption of organ meats.\*\* Everything in Krispy’s post was 100% correct & acurate except for the part about aliens visiting the Earth to warn us of various alleged evils. I believe that life will be found elsewhere in our solar system. We will also be able to detect planets around all of the closest stars & be able to know that some of their atmospheres are suitable for the inevitable & natural evolution of life. Sadly, this will be known with only _virtual_ certainty. Confirmation will not happen without a voyage to the worlds in question, which is more than 4 (and probably more than 10) decades away. ---
**Author:** ![RoboDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bbe5ce/32.png) [@RoboDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoboDude)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2001, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/37 "2001-01-05T22:02:05Z")
Gene therapy, cybertechnology and nanotechnology will eventually lead to complete cures for most, if not all, disabilities. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2001, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/38 "2001-01-05T23:33:08Z")
Wow. Seems like Clinton damn near made my no-logging prediction come true overnight. (Well, for a third of National Forest land, anyway.) **spoke-** knows all… (Cue theremin music…) ---
**Author:** ![Freedom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Freedom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freedom)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/39 "2001-01-06T20:20:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Seems like Clinton damn near made my no-logging prediction come true overnight. (Well, for a third of National Forest land, anyway.) Give Bush a month and we will see alot of these last minute decrees by Clinton tossed out. Last I checked we were a Republic not a dictatorship. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112/40 "2001-01-06T22:47:49Z")
Another one not holding their breathe but I would like to see this Capitalistic era move forward toward a more mature and enlightened period. This might involve education and/or realisation and acceptance of a more realistic consumer philosophy about what and why we are actually doing but there are small signs that some societies are seeing a degree of post-consumerism creeping in. We can and have put small restrictions on some Corporate activity but while demand remains excessive little real progressive can be made, IMHO. Legislation limiting aspirational advertising would be interesting but, of course, there’s no chance until we get the Corps and Politicians out of the same bed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112.md?page=3)