How will historian see USA today in 200 years from now?

Oberon · 01-13-14, 11:26 PM

Depends which way we slide really. If we're able to fix some of the problems we face, then we'll probably look on this era in a manner in which we look upon the Victorians. People will laugh at the fears of homosexuality, be confused at how big an issue it was, ponder just how people got on without a certain gadget that makes life really easy that exists in the future but doesn't now, and shake their heads at the consumption of non-renewable resources.

On the other hand, and sadly the more likely option, is that people will look at this as the last time of plenty, when fuel was still cheap enough for most people to buy, when there was a choice in food supplies, when the poor could still walk through the streets of the rich if they so wanted, when people had enough free time that they were able to ponder these questions instead of having to work constantly to provide food for their family. They may wish desperately for the current political system, having overthrown it and unwittingly sleepwalked into a military dictatorship.
They may compare it, those who have the knowledge to, to the last hurrahs of Rome before its decline and destruction.

Either way they will likely wonder why we cared so little for them.

August · 01-13-14, 11:46 PM

If we don't get our population explosion under control 200 years from now will probably more closely resemble the dark ages than anything else.

7 billion and climbing.

Oberon · 01-13-14, 11:58 PM

It depends, there is talk of 'Peak Child' and that the fast population growth that we are experiencing at the moment is starting to come to an end. Certainly in comparison to fifty years ago, the average number of children per family in the world has halved from 5 to 2.5 and fertility is trending downwards.

Hans Rosling does some good talks on the subject, worth a look at, not so long ago he did a piece for the BBCs website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24835822

So it's not all bad news, but it's what we do with it that could make bad news.

KrazyDimondRX · 01-14-14, 02:15 AM

i believe, globally anyway, these times will be remembered for :
Terrorism. sure terrorism has being around for awhile under diffrent names etc. but i think 9/11 really redefined it. It was a game changer.

Also, these times will be remembered for digital technology. While not the birth of digital tech. it surely is "post pubesecent", where the understanding and use of it has/is growing exponentially. Remember that cell phone you had 10 years ago?

But like steve said, its all just speculaton really,
whats important now, maybe not so later on...

KDRX

01-13-14, 11:46 PM	#2
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,226 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If we don't get our population explosion under control 200 years from now will probably more closely resemble the dark ages than anything else. 7 billion and climbing. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

01-14-14, 02:15 AM	#4
KrazyDimondRX Seaman Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NZ, North Island, Counties Posts: 37 Downloads: 30 Uploads: 0	i believe, globally anyway, these times will be remembered for : Terrorism. sure terrorism has being around for awhile under diffrent names etc. but i think 9/11 really redefined it. It was a game changer. Also, these times will be remembered for digital technology. While not the birth of digital tech. it surely is "post pubesecent", where the understanding and use of it has/is growing exponentially. Remember that cell phone you had 10 years ago? But like steve said, its all just speculaton really, whats important now, maybe not so later on... KDRX __________________ " An intellectual vacuum so strong that sometime I fear she will soak up the solar system like a black hole. " Skybird " That crazy Mulligan's droppin'em all over the place! "

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01-13-14, 11:26 PM	#1
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Depends which way we slide really. If we're able to fix some of the problems we face, then we'll probably look on this era in a manner in which we look upon the Victorians. People will laugh at the fears of homosexuality, be confused at how big an issue it was, ponder just how people got on without a certain gadget that makes life really easy that exists in the future but doesn't now, and shake their heads at the consumption of non-renewable resources. On the other hand, and sadly the more likely option, is that people will look at this as the last time of plenty, when fuel was still cheap enough for most people to buy, when there was a choice in food supplies, when the poor could still walk through the streets of the rich if they so wanted, when people had enough free time that they were able to ponder these questions instead of having to work constantly to provide food for their family. They may wish desperately for the current political system, having overthrown it and unwittingly sleepwalked into a military dictatorship. They may compare it, those who have the knowledge to, to the last hurrahs of Rome before its decline and destruction. Either way they will likely wonder why we cared so little for them.

01-13-14, 11:58 PM	#3
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	It depends, there is talk of 'Peak Child' and that the fast population growth that we are experiencing at the moment is starting to come to an end. Certainly in comparison to fifty years ago, the average number of children per family in the world has halved from 5 to 2.5 and fertility is trending downwards. Hans Rosling does some good talks on the subject, worth a look at, not so long ago he did a piece for the BBCs website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24835822 So it's not all bad news, but it's what we do with it that could make bad news.