The world of 2100 and beyond – reaching for the stars

By Dick Pelletier

     Experts predict that over the next nine decades, exponential advances in biotech, nanotech, infotech, and cognitive sciences will enable humanity to evolve from a group of self-centered squabbling cultures to become a peaceful global village with amazing technological abilities.

     Best selling author and physicist Michio Kaku says that by 2100, we will be able to control the weather, extend human health and life indefinitely, and create self-sustaining space colonies on moon, Mars, and in artificial habitats a few hundred miles above Earth.

     Powerful telescopes developed during this century will provide amazing views of our universe, allowing scientists to find millions of Earth-like planets and identify those that might harbor intelligent life. But the light-speed barrier will prevent communicating with these new worlds. For example, if we found life in the Andromeda Galaxy, 2.3 million light years away, it would take millions of years just to say hi.

     However, physicists David Hochberg and Thomas Kephart believe they recently discovered evidence of massive numbers of self-stabilizing wormholes that were left over when the universe was formed. These marvels, they say, could one day be used as portals enabling us to travel to, or communicate with faraway places in the universe instantly; thus erasing the light-speed barrier.

     With this network of wormholes at our disposal and the knowledge of how to use them, tomorrow’s space pioneers will be free to explore much of the cosmos. As we discover uninhabited planets in areas ideal for colonization, we will dispatch nanobots to terraform our newly-discovered worlds making them human-friendly. By mid-22nd century, forward-thinkers say, more humans could live in space than on Earth.

     When we meet other intelligent life forms in our travels, space visionaries predict that we will find some less advanced than us, some more advanced, and many similar to us. But experts wonder, "Will we possess the intelligence to recognize encounters that pose a danger to humanity?"

     The positive answer is yes, experts say; the ability to defend our species will grow exponentially along with other technologies as we advance into this futuristic world. Remember, even Star Trek’s Borg couldn’t defeat The Federation.

     And as we proceed further into the millennium, our wildest dreams will become possible. Some predict that one day we could even visit our “other selves” in a parallel universe (a concept discussed by physicist Stephen Hawking).

     Entertainment possibilities are nearly limitless in this incredible future. For example, as a game or science project, we could select a lifeless planet in some remote section of the galaxy; dispatch trillions of nanobots to make it life-friendly, then play “creator” to the life forms that evolve on our private world.

     Although it took 2 million years for us to leave the safety of the forests and build a modern civilization, it may take only a few decades to depart our friendly solar system and begin this amazing adventure to the stars.

     Many hope that this"magical future" will become reality, but the world now stands at a turning point. Can humanity proceed without terrorists destroying everything? If society will focus on peace and harmony instead of relatively insignificant grievances, the answer is an enthusiastic yes.

This article appeared in various print publications and on-ine blogs. Comments always welcome.