This is a continuation of a previous interview piece titled
The World Today. Basically, I asked numerous people about their perception of the world today and also asked them what the world would be like in 100 years time.
Here are the responses to the question about the future:
People in 100 years time will feel as though they are the only ones existing on this planet because everyone will be too focused on money and material possessions. We must not ever dispose of people.
- Amanda, 20
Mankind will not exist. The earth will self-destruct. It is happening already. The earth will become so hot, humans will not be able to adapt. We are doing too little too late. Technology is not the answer. We have started killing ourselves already.
- Robyn, 60
In 100 years time - Well, I have a vision that the world will be more in touch with itself. i.e. that people will learn from past generations and realise that war is stupid and pointless, that people on the other side of the world have the same human value as their most loved person, and that you don't need to put someone down to pull yourself a little higher. That happiness is not achieved through things, but through thoughts.
- Karla, 21
In 100 years time I think the world will be much better. Strangers will smile at each other more, we won’t be obsessed with finding the pot of gold, and we’ll make more time for each other. But I think things need to get worse before society wakes up and changes for the better.
- Meli, 20
Won't we be leading dreadful, hollow lives in 100 years time? We'll be working ridiculous hours but still shrouded in debt, watching news programs that are 2 minutes long with 28 minutes of ads - all the while wearing the most spectacular shoes, driving the hottest car (or, at least, watching it glimmer in the driveway as petrol is too prohibitive to buy... Its almost run out, you see) and talking on the newest mobile phone... And love? What's love? Love was forgotten about the same time that department stores started their non-stop, 24/7 trading (following on from the 24/7 May-February special Christmas/stocktake sale trading hours) to cater to the 7am-11pm-ers in 2017.
- Lauren, 22
My opinion?
Unfortunately, I have a pretty negative view as well. I think that we think technology is the solution to everything. Through technology, we manipulate the environment so it suits us - we do not need to adapt. However, I think there are limits to what technology can do. One day, maybe the world will become uncontrollably hot and our bodies won't adapt in time. We can't fight nature forever.
BUT I reckon there's still hope, through people power - I think we can save the world! To change society's attitude will be tough, but it is a must!
It's like cigarettes - 50 years ago, the majority of people thought it was acceptable to smoke anyway anytime - slowly, the attitudes have shifted through awareness and media attention. The same needs to be done about the issues facing the world! Continued informed awareness is vital to getting the majority of people on board the *action ship*... so far, I feel like I'm a minority...but I'm only 20, I still have a while to keep at it ;-)
