What do you expect for 2019?

[orb85750]

Greater but gradual integration/blending of computer networking with everyday household electronics including television, thermostats, kitchen, etc.  Not too exciting overall.  More technology for the masses -- those who like to use it but don't understand how it works (even fundamentally).

[orb85750]

No worries.  decline X for the West results in decline 2X for Asia.  Of course, the downside already is that electronics today last only years instead of decades, food is poisonous, and kids toys come with tasty lead paint too.    

arkanoid wrote:
You guys seem to have a very optimistic outlook for our way of life in 10 years time.

Personally, I predict the complete transfer of wealth and power from the West over to the Asian continent to be pretty much complete by then. Our contrived economic meltdown will long since have been completed and the life style and liberties which we have struggled for over the past couple of centuries will have been gleefully dismantled by our treacherous rulers.

Even if we did have enough leisure time between the 5 low paid jobs the average man will have to work in order to eat and keep a roof over his head, our Amigas will have long since been sold in order to fund the bare necessities of life. If we're lucky, our new ultra socialist governments may have installed "Public Computers" which we can use for a maximum of 30 minutes per week in some designated public place, under strict supervision - in order to prevent "terrorist" communication (of course).

I'm pretty sure we will still be surrounded by computer technology, however not much of it will be for the purpose of "entertainment". They will be used more to manage and feed huge centralized social databases and keep tabs on society; more Linked-CCTV cameras, RFID chips, ID Cards, biometric scanners, intrusive "security" AI, GPS tracking tech. (linked to authorities) in every personal item, etc. If you are allowed computers or are fortunate enough to be able to afford one and the electricity require to boot one up, then the most you can hope for is a dumb terminal, with all your data held in "teh cloud", so that your government can monitor data flow and protect you from your own desire to seek truth, justice and knowledge. Computing will be designated a Public Activity, where (for security reasons) you will have no rights to privacy.

You will be in an orchestrated living hell by 2019, but the strangest thing is that few will even realize it. Our children certainly wont.

But that's just my rosy take on it - hopefully I'm wrong, or at least it wont all happen THAT soon. :-)