we have our fair share of dire predictions around here. Perhaps a moment of optimism is called for. So, what’s your idea of a best case scenario for yourself/humanity?
What timeframe? Over the next million years I’d say the best-case scenario is the gradual colonization of the entire galaxy. Over the next 24 hours I’d just like to make it out to the stores before the crowds get insane.
Biological computers that we grow inside our bodies and power in the standard food digestion process, visible through our eyes (in 3D), and capable of sending and receiving data wirelessly.
Designer babies with no inherited diseases, improved IQ and physical prowess.
Cancer and viruses becoming curable.
A Space Elevator and Lunar/Martian inhabitation.
Artificial Intelligence.
Nanotechnology creating food from grey goo.
Quantum computers.
Space-based solar energy collectors of massive size.
Christmas music that wasn’t made in the 50’s.
Best case long term future ?
AI is created, and humans merge with it, or are upgraded to similar superhuman levels. ‘No War of the Machines’.
Post-human knowledge encompasses all physical laws.
Earth life/machines spread into the galaxy, discovering friendly sentient life.
Nearer term best case scenario ?
An automated economy largely eliminates the need for work and scarcity.
Energy sources are developed that can support this economy.
The population stabilizes at a level Earth can tolerate.
A world federation of some sort comes about that is strong and stable enough to enforce peace, but doesn’t develop into a tyranny.
Human lifespan is extended greatly.
Respect for human rights, social equality and democracy become the norm.
Religion weakens into a minor factor in the world.
Biological computers that we grow into, pack up and ship off into space. But with the capability to copy the “packs”, and send them throughout space again. Our minds, and memories, will be there. And we can communicate and share old youtube videos and SDMB threads. We will live in a true cyber world, but with many seperate copies living in their own “world”. Barriers would be needed so each pack does not know of other packs. Downsides: likely no physical feelings.
From the 1950’s? Or 2050’s? Or 40050’s? 
I’m just hoping in the year 2525, man will still be alive and woman can survive.
Pretty Cool. I’ll steal all Sage Rat’s stuff - though the free energy doesn’t necessarily need to be solar - and add
… a World where “the poor” aren’t what we would recognize as “poor” and an economy and political/cultural mix where no one who is born there is trapped there by education or resources or opportunity.
… a free and open Solar System spanning culture where habitats - none run by tyrants or polygamists or Talibans allow people to seek out the lifestyle they wish to whether it is in a Santa Fe-like artists colony orbiting around Pluto or a 1950’s era small town place to raise kids around Mars
…cloning, designer nano and other future tech allow the earths climate and endangered species to be returned to a semi-pre-human states - same with many places as well - as more humans move off planet to neaterr, safer, more interesting habitats
… a world where Bryan gets “props” for a good line
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Medical advances cure all known diseases and allow people to live as long as they care to.
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Machines do all necessary work – so we all live lives of leisure if we want.
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Surveillance system is set up that detects and stops crime while protecting peoples’ privacy.
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Non-addictive drugs are available that make you feel good but don’t impair you in any way.
Advances in understanding how the human mind works leads to new social organizations which allow all members of a society, not just the rich, to live and function at the highest level they are capable of, creating a sort of paradise for regular folks. The new organizations are so much more productive, effective and efficient that they take over the world in a bloodless revolution in the space of a few decades.
The best case scenario is that there will always be a socioeconomic contiuem ranging from extremely rich to the poor and destitute, with most people falling somewhere in the middle.
Biological engineering and cybernetic implants will become more and more commonplace. It will, of course, start with the wealthy but eventually make it’s way to even the poorest peoples. Kind of like cell phones.
More and more stuff will be networked together.
As robotics and AI improve there will be a greater convergance between robotics, bioengineering and cybernetics.
I always envision something like Ghost in the Shell. There’s advanced technology but yet there’s still crime, violence, economic problems, political and religeous conflict. And yet the world muddles along.
No flying cars.
Basically each new technology will solve a lot of problems but will usher in a whole bunch of new ones.
The best case scenario for the future:
As people gets smarter, so does their view of religion. They will adjust it to improve welfare in general.
God and science no longer in conflict, because people are grateful for science and know where to address their gratefulness.
There will still be the poor, but no ultra-rich. Dignity is maintained for all people. No one envied one another because they’re all educated to pursue happiness, not material possession. Some took the path of science, some use spiritual means. Greed is a thing of the past. No more impoverished nations. Old traditions no longer in practice but well preserved in museums.
Kids will have a great time learning about the world they live in and grow into young adults much faster. Consumerism is maintained at a healthy level. Hospitals no longer treat diseases simply because there are no more diseases, they will focus on physical augmentation instead.
The sex industry is basically game developers with virtual actors because there are no more demand for live actors that would only objectify certain groups/gender.
The weapons industry no longer exists. The governments make their own weapons only for insurance against any threat to humanity.
I could go on forever…
One night, George W. Bush is tossing restlessly in his White House bed. He awakens to see George Washington standing by him Bush asks him, “George, what’s the best thing I can do to help the country?”
“Set an honest and honorable example, just as I did,” Washington advises, and then fades away…
The next night, Bush is astir again, and sees the ghost of Thomas Jefferson moving through the darkened bedroom. Bush calls out, “Tom, please! What is the best thing I can do to help the country?”
“Respect the Constitution, as I did,” Jefferson advises, and dims from sight…
The third night sleep still does not come for Bush. He awakens to see the ghost of FDR hovering over his bed. Bush whispers, “Franklin, What is the best thing I can do to help the country?”
“Help the less fortunate, just as I did,” FDR replies and fades into the mist…
Bush isn’t sleeping well the fourth night when he sees another figure moving in the shadows. It is the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. Bush pleads, “Abe, what is the best thing I can do right now to help the country?”
Lincoln replies, “Go see a play.”