Epilogue

On earth all continents should reunite in 250 million years (See Illustration). In 5 billion years the Sun should go supernova and the Milky Way Galaxy should collide with the Andromeda Galaxy. The universe should last at least a trillion years and may never end.

Biological

Biological suicide through nuclear war (a cold war concern), creating harmful viruses or inattention to the environment is contrary to our deepest instincts to survive by cooperating.

The biggest change would be if we reengineer our own DNA, creating a new, possibly incompatible, species. This may occur through many small changes or more deliberately.

Cultural

World Culture - should replace American culture, especially as the Internet, Cell Phones, and Computers keep dropping in price, democracy spreads, income keeps increasing and people switch from farming and building to service jobs (talking and thinking). Travel should once again become open to all. Conflicts over religious and biological issues will likely continue.

Demographics – Population will reach a maximum in 2040 and start dropping until the population consists of only those with a strong desire for children, leading to a new growth.

Space - Space exploration is not currently a priority. A reversal of demographic trends might spur us to reach to the stars.

Fifth Great Transition - in either or both ways:

We may once again become wanderers, populating the galaxy as we once populated the earth. Is anyone else out there?
We may develop into one or more new species with novel concerns and objectives, through deliberate genetic engineering. Are we likely to be compatible?

Notable Events

Year Event

Physical

These events are certain, unless humans learn ways to intervene:

250 Million Years – All continents join in super continent

4.5 Bill ion years – Sun goes supernova

5 Bill ion years – Milky Way collides with Andromeda

Biological

This event depends on a political decision as to legality

Soon Cloned humans, who are like twins

Cultural

2012 Voyagers 1 & 2 leave Solar System, enters Interstellar Space

Current trends make these events highly likely:

2040 Population peaks at 7.7 billion

2100 Population drops to 5 billion (well below today)

Great Transitions in Human Activity

This shows how the % of humans in various activities has changed

From To Hunt Farm Build Service Who

65Kya 12Kya 99% 1% All

12 Kya 2Kya 10% 85% 3% 2% Middle East , China

2 Kya 1630 2% 85% 10% 3% Major Empires

1630 1945 1% 10% 70% 19% Advanced Economies

1945 Now 0% 3% 50% 47% Advanced Economies

2100 0% 1% 2% 97% All

Definitions, examples:

Hunt = Hunt, fish, gather wild vegetables, fruit and berries

Farm = Agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy

Build = Artisans, factory workers, miners

Service (think/talk) = priests, scribes, business, teachers, politicians

Acknowledgements:

Three authors have been especially helpful in personal meetings:

Dr. Russell Genet - “The Chimpanzees Who Would Be Ants”

Dr. Peter Richerson - “Not By Genes Alone”

Dr. David Christian - “Maps of Time: An Introduction to Big History”

Author: Paul Raynault Email: Paul@StudentWorldAssembly.org