As the world passes from one millennium into another, everyone's mind is on the future. We can't help wondering what the new century and beyond will bring us.
Since the beginning of the'90s we have been bombarded with predictions of what to expect in the way of lifestyle changes. Here's a summary of some of what's being predicted in a few basic areas:
HOUSING: "Houses that feel": We will live in so-called "smart houses". No longer will our houses be just "dumb" buildings with plain walls and doors and windows. Instead, houses will have hundreds of built-in programmable sensors which will do everything from adjusting lights and room temperatures to watering the garden and guarding against burglars.
Everything will be automatic, computer-controlled, and even the walls will be moveable. Architects promise us that our houses of the future will serve us in ways that we can hardly imagine today.
TRANSPORTATION: "Hybrid Engines and Sleek Designs" If we can believe the concept cars that are now put on display at car shows everywhere, the ordinary car is in for some big changes. Engineers are working on hybrid engines that can get 70 mph while car bodies seem to be nearing aerodynamic perfection. The driving force, of course, is the looming energy crisis which will occur unless we reduce our consumption of oil.
TECHNOLOGY: Voice Recognition". We are about to enter a world of voice-based identification. as opposed to the code reader system that we now use. Instead of pushing a credit card into a slot or a key into a keyhole, all we'll have to do is to speak a few commands to open a door or get money out of a cash machine.
It's not far off, since 95% accurate "continuous-speech'' voice recognition computer software computers is already on the market.
COMMUNICATION: Computers, telephones, radio and TV will be combined into one unit. E-mail will replace hand-delivered letters. Already it is starting to happen. In 1998 the number of people using e-mail was increasing at a rate of 500% a year, and many radio and TV stations can now be seen and heard through the Internet.
Computer modems will be replaced by cable connections and satellite dishes. Already available is a 20-inch satellite dish that can receive TV channels and Internet connections at speeds as high as 400Kbps, which is 8 times faster than today's best modems.
Words and Phrases
futuristic: adjective to describe some thins that looks like it is from the future, not like what we already have now
millennium: a period of 1000 year
built-in: Put in during the construction, not added later
programmable. Can be set to perform however the user wants
sensors: tiny transistors that can "feel" such things as the intensity of light, the temperature of the aid, dryness of the soil, etc.
burglars: thieves, robbers
even ...moveable: It will be possible to change the position of some: of the walls to make larger or smaller rooms.
Hybrid engines. engines that run on both gasoline and battery-power (electric)
Sleek: modern and rounded, with no sharp angles
in ...changes: There will be many big changes.
nearing ...perfection: almost perfect in design for cars to move smoothly through the air (aerodynamics)
NOTE: Reducing wind resistance makes cars use less gasoline driving force: the main reason why designers are making those designs
looming: expected to happen; may coming soon occur
voice-based identification: The device will be able to distinguish one person's voice from another person s.
not ...off: It's coming soon.
continuous-speech: The speaker can speak normally and at normal speed. on ...market: now being sold
Kbsp: kilobytes per second (the: speed that information can be received and sent out)
Questions for Discussion
Is it exciting to think about what life will be like in the 21st Century? Why or why not?
How will computer technology change the way we live and work in the next century? Consider the following areas:
transportation (cars, buses, planes, etc.)
communication
entertainment (movies, music, sports, etc.)
computers
home appliances
education
Can you think of any disadvantages or negative effects that could come from a world that is completely automated and run by computers?
What kind of world would you rather live in--one that is automated and controlled by computers or in a simply, non-technical world! Tell why.
Would you like to live in a "smart" house? Why or why not?
What do you think the biggest social problems will be in the coming Century?
One hundred years from now, will the world be better off or worse off than now? Consider:
personal relationships
social problems
living conditions
Do you think that too much technology will make people lazy? Will the people living in the next 100 years be lazier than the people who are living today? Tell why you think so.