Future Predictions

We have come across many sci-fi movies or stories informing us about the dangerous future where humans become devoid of feelings or the same old robots taking over earth or the life brimming with technology. After coming across a similar story which told me about a future where education would be entirely digitalised, complete with robotic teachers and all, it got me brooding that the present situation was not so different after all. We, amidst this pandemic have pursued our education and worked virtually, completely digitalised.

The next day, in a flattering manner of a distinguished interviewer, I turned to my wise old parents and asked them the widely known question,’What do think would happen in the future?’

As a typical married couple, they offered me two contrasting views on the subject.

My mother, an ardent supporter of the phrase-‘Go green!’ argued that since there were many activists or at least pretenders coming up, maybe the world would change and the people would make the earth finally green.

It was a beautiful sentence.

My father, thoughtful for a moment replied that India would probably become a superpower. New diseases would also come up. Many islands would be submerged. Technology would take over earth. And the people will evolve to be more selfish.

How morbid but then what if…

But then I had to leave their room as fast as possible because my mom had started intensely glaring at my dad.

On closing the door, I heard my mother hissing,’Can’t you be a little positive?’

‘Well, I was being realistic!’

Too familiar with their usual and although entertaining at times, sometimes annoying squabbling, I reiterated back to my room. 

Is the future really going to be a life with human lifestyles and habits diminished or modified? Thinking back to my father’s answer/ outburst, I can’t help feeling that we are but, moving towards that path. 

Why even now when we go outside, rarely do we people notice our surroundings to admire it, we are either too immersed in our own lives or we have our noses hooked to our phones. When we go on a holiday or to a new place, we are now accustomed to take pictures of it rather than to relish that moment. I even remember the time when my father told me that earlier, villages had been brimming with people talking to each other in their verandas under the dim light of the evening. But now the streets are empty, the people safe behind the doors, their TV sets turned on. 

In relief one day, I had noticed little children playing on the streets. But how long would that last until they switch to video games? Would our entertainment rely solely upon a screen, on something virtual and not real? 

Then I think we would undecidedly be moving towards a path which would promise us instant pleasure but would gradually deprive us of our happiness.

I really hope not.

What would the future be like? No one can be sure. But it is our actions that eventually decide it. Therefore it is important to evolve in the world but at the same time we should be careful to not let it taint our natural lifestyles.