Space stations abound, with living options both on Earth’s moon as well as in free-floating locations

All humans live on earth

The elderly will age and be cared for at home

Medical advances reduce the disability and frailty currently associated with aging

The vast majority of people live in an urban center (Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, etc.)

A similar number of Minnesota’s residents reside throughout the state as do today

Our biggest public health concern is obesity-related diseases (diabetes, heart conditions, stroke, etc.).

Our biggest public health concern is antibiotic resistance; previously treatable diseases are now deadly.

Most food is grown and produced locally

The production of food is centralized and streamlined

Urban sprawl continues with decidedly residential areas and commercial areas. People still need to drive to shop, dine, etc..

Communities are built to be smaller, more self-sufficient communities where at least basic shopping and amenities are walkable for most people.

Although it is more mechanized, manufacturing continues to be an assembly-line process in a manufacturing buildings.

3D printers create goods on demand in your own home.

To socialize, you meet up with friends for dinner

You interact with your friends online, many of whom you’ve never met in person

Fully automated cars do the driving for you

Mass transit replaces the need for cars by using “pods” that can take riders to and from any station on the map directly and quickly. No change of routes or stopping at each station needed.

Super-fast jets carry passengers around the world at twice the speed they do today

Previous long-haul flights now route through space cutting travel times significantly (Minneapolis to Hong Kong in less than 3 hours!)

Humans have visited Mars

Humans have visited most planets in our solar system

People use ground transportation only when they must

People use ground transportation for joy, daily errands, or ‘seat time’ in schools and offices

People will need to buy permits in order to drive into the Twin Cities because of limited space for driving and parking cars

Population will age, and while more older adults live downtown they won’t use cars and there will still be plenty of space for commuters

The federal government is nearly broke and only provides basic functions like defense and entitlements

We have paid down much of our national debt and have more money available to fund things like innovation and research

People participate in government by voting and contacting their elected officials

Government is restructured so that people participate by taking an active role in policy-making and implementation

America continues to be the world’s superpower

America’s political might is on the decline. China, India or Iran is the world’s superpower.

Government is structured much like it is today (federal, state, county, city, etc.)

Government has been totally redesigned, changing which levels of government exist and offer services

Most countries exist within the same or similar borders as they do today

The world’s map of countries is completely different, particularly in Africa and the Middle East

English is the official language of the U.S

Americans speak many languages

Countries and regions each have their own currency

The world operates under a single currency

Gas still comes from the Middle East and now costs $20/gallon

America produces its own fuel from sugar cane and switch grass

Energy is produced from traditional sources, like coal and natural gas

Energy is produced from renewable sources, like solar and wind

Most goods are imported from abroad

Most goods are produced domestically

The dollar is still the lynchpin of world currency

The dollar becomes devalued by 50%

Like today, we live under open skies

The climate and air quality have deteriorated to the point that nearly all humans live within domed communities

Products carry an “environmental impact” surcharge

Products are priced as they are today

Minnesota’s climate and seasons look much like they do today

Climate change has warmed up Minnesota, which has a climate similar to Kansas in 2010

Air quality alerts only affect Minnesota a few days year, primarily impacting at-risk groups like the elderly and small children

Air quality has deteriorated to the point where all people are advised to wear masks when going outside. Buildings all have air filtering systems.

Minnesota continues to enjoy plentiful access to clean water since most water sources originate in the state.

Minnesota struggles to access enough clean water since water sources are depleting

Most people travel to school, work, and shopping

Most people telecommute to school and work, and shop online.

Schools continue to have instruction in classrooms, grade levels and knowledge tests

Individualized learning means students can participate in self-directed learning - where, when and how they want

Books are still used in the classroom and for leisure reading

Books are all electronic

Libraries exist in physical spaces and lend hard- and e-copies of reading materials

One centralized library exists online from which materials can been accessed and borrowed

Work hours for office jobs will still be 9-5

Office work will follow Results Oriented Work Environment (ROWE) principles so work can be done whenever, wherever

Large businesses will build large complexes that will provide work, living and recreational space for its employees

Since most work happens virtually, business no longer build physical spaces

Many of the jobs existing today will be outsourced or automated, demanding new “21st century” skills to succeed in the US economy

The math, science, reading, and writing skills we teach today will be sufficient to succeed in the US economy

We continue to have cell phones and other hand-held devices for communication

We have chips imbedded in our brains to enable communication

Everybody has their own laptop, tablet, etc.

Computers are embedded into our bodies, making the need for external machines obsolete

The Internet continues to be “free and open” with few restrictions on use.

Governments around the world crack down on Internet use in the name of copyright protection and national security, such that most content is considered censored or sterile

The Internet continues to grow in importance and universal broadband coverage exists

Cyber-warfare effectively shuts down the Internet and we return to a less technologically-integrated world

Due to dependence on digital technology, social skills and etiquette diminish

Face-to-face communication is high priority