May-June 2001 Forecasts

A magazine of forecasts, trends, and ideas about the future.
May-June 2001, Vol. 35, No. 3

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Online Indexes:
Author Index A-L
Author Index M-Z
Index of News Articles

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Top 10 Forecasts From Outlook 2001 Report

Current Forecasts

Special to Web visitors, here are a few of the editors' favorite forecasts from the May-June 2001 issue of The Futurist:

Babble on: You'll never be misunderstood again! Automated translation systems could enable most of the world's people to communicate directly with one another--each speaking and hearing in his or her own language--by about 2020, predicts communications scholar Sam Lehman-Wilzig. (See page 22 of the print edition)

Wearable telephones will make high-tech fashion statements. Prototype jackets with hands-free mobile phones sewn into them are under development in France. The "communicative clothing" will be ideal for construction workers, sports enthusiasts, and anyone else on the go. (Tomorrow in Brief)

The Persian Gulf will remain the world's biggest source of oil in 2015. Patterns of energy distribution will shift, however, with Atlantic Basin reserves serving the U.S. (World Trends & Forecasts: Government)

The next step of human evolution will be to "humanize" the universe. Our technologies are improving our bodies and our minds, says futurist Michael G. Zey. As we conquer our environment, we will coalesce with other members of our species to conquer outer space. (Cover story)

Slowing down life may prove an antidote to hyperculture. The Slow Food movement begun in the 1980s has evolved into a Slow Cities movement in Italy, where 32 communities have committed to slowing down the hectic pace of life. (See page 27 of the print edition.)

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