Hello, I am new to these forums. I look forward to posting here.

I am curious on how you think science and technology will unfold as the future plays out.

You can see my predictions here:
[url= http://future.wikia.com/wiki/Uplink's_Predictions]My Predictions[/url]

Maverick

New versions of Windows every 2 years? Laughable. Microsoft is essentially dead in the water when it comes to producing new versions of any major piece of software.

In 2009 they will be releasing Vista SP 2.

Maverick,

The World Government is interesting. Do you really think the Middle East will be democratized in the next century. Islam (especially Shia) is basically antithetical to democracy. Democracy in the Middle East has delivered the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Hamas in Palestine, Hezbollah members of government in Lebanon and civil war in Iraq.

A World Government will not be able to encompass the Middle East in its current form and it is wishful thinking to think otherwise.

Blacknad.

I don't think it is right to say Shia Islam is antithetical to democracy.

More generally the middle east, and much of central asia, is primarily tribal in culture. And tribal culture is antithetical to any form of nation state. They don't much like theocracies either. What keeps them in line, I am sorry to have to acknowledge, is a sharp sword. And it is that sharp sword that is antithetical to democracy.

Dan,

I find it difficult to agree with you because of the basic Islamic tenets which I think are opposed to any form of democratic government.

However, my Lebanese wife who has a degree in International Affairs, and knows a thing or two about Middle Eastern politics, says you are absolutely correct and is surprised at how insightful your comments are - for an American So I give in.

Blacknad.

She is obviously a woman of intelligence, culture, and grace.

Please tell her I wish for a quick and lasting peace in Ash-Shām.

And to paraphrase Edina from Absolutely Fabulous with respect to Americans: "we are not all stupid."

And for those not familiar with Ab Fab here's the quote in context:
"Yes, Yes! Why, oh why, do we pay taxes, hmmm? I mean, just to have bloody parking restrictions- and BUGGERY-UGLY traffic wardens, and BOLLOCKY-pedestrian-BLOODY-crossings?... and those [censored] railings outside shops windows, so you can't even get in them! I mean, I know they're there to stop stupid people running into the street and killing themselves! But we're not all stupid! We don't all need nurse-maiding. I mean, why not just have a Stupidity Tax? Just tax the stupid people!"

Source:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0504683/quotes

I predict that authoritarian regimes in oil-rich countries will last as long as the rest of the world fails to discover and develop alternative sources of energy.

I agree with your prediction.

But I think one can further predict that until first-world countries stop viewing arms sales as a way of generating trade dollars ... the continued arming of these tribal societies will only result in them becoming more violent when things start drying up.

The only good news being they will be just as likely to kill each other as us.

I can't get your linky to worky. Would someone please tell me the trick to make it work?

Amaranth

Amaranth,

http://future.wikia.com/wiki/Uplink\'s_Predictions

Blacknad.

Thanks, Blacknad. Now I can see it. The pages I'm most interested in are not up yet. Too bad, it sounds like an interesting project.

Amaranth

Rose you just needed to keep with the system.

"I can't get your linky to worky. Would someone please tell me the trick to make it work?"

Obviously ... it is trickY!

Dan,

Nadine has asked me to thank you for your kind comments.

Are you still headed over in October?

Blacknad.

The UKOUG conference at ICC in B'ham is November 13-17. Likely a day or two will be spent in or around Barrington with family.