The world 100 years from now: What will it look like? What will humans be up to? What will robots be up to? BBC News collected century-long forecasts from readers, then let futurologists Ian Pearson and Patrick Tucker evaluate the predictions. A selection from the top 20:
- We will communicate through our thoughts: Very likely, they say. Sending your thoughts telepathically could be as easy as surfing the Internet.
- The world will have one single global currency: Pearson and Tucker disagree on this one. Pearson: It's very plausible; electronic currency is a forerunner. Tucker: The trend is going the opposite way and we'll probably see more currencies in the coming decades.
- Nanorobots will inhabit our bodies, fixing damaged cells, and will be able to record our memories: Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field. Both give it a good chance.
- Eighty percent of the world will allow gay marriage: The acceptance of gay marriage seems inevitable (at least in the West), says Pearson, but expect resistance from the ardently religious.
Click for the
full list. Or see one sci-fi writer's predictions for the future—
in 1968. (More
predictions stories.)