What do you see when you look into the next century? Well, Shawna Pandya, '06 BSc(Hons), '12 MD, has put a lot of thought into the future. As a doctor and graduate of the International Space and Singularity universities, Pandya's approach to prognostication is multi-faceted, to say the least. She shares her vision of the next 100 years.
Illustrations by Gwen Keraval

2015
Where We Begin
Today, Terrafugia and AeroMobil are pioneering flying cars, a neurosurgeon is proposing a head transplant and the hoverboard is a reality. Which is not to say things are entirely perfect. An estimated 20 million to 30 million humans are considered enslaved - more than at any other time in human history.

2019-2024
The Third World War
Realizing the Middle Eastern conflict already involves at least 15 nations, we finally name it the Third World War. Unbelievably, we avoid nuclear holocaust as Iran tries to abide by the 2015 U.S.-Iran nuclear disarmament deal. So, thanks, Obama. The turning point comes when the women of Islam refuse to see their rights taken away, their husbands and sons killed and daughters abducted or worse. The world enters a new era of peace.

2024
Finally! Flying Cars
The first flying cars are sold as the 3D traffic grid reaches new heights. On terra firma, autonomous vehicles make it possible to drive to work, fit in a morning snooze, get in a little reading and - if you own the deluxe model - work out in the gym at the back.
2029
Ascent to Orbit
When the Chinese Space Station becomes stranded in Low Martian Orbit, the private space sector and major space agencies mount an unprecedented rescue. Not only are they successful but as they step onto Mars their first words are in both Mandarin and English: together we achieved.

2042
The Final Frontier
On the new lunar outpost, astronauts are in demand as explorers, settlers and professional microgravity athletes. This leads to a permanent settlement on Mars and opens the solar system to asteroid mining. Precious metals become ubiquitous.

2059
The Fourth World War Begins
The Earth's population hits 10 billion, 41 years ahead of schedule. At the same time, the Earth's climate spirals out of control and suddenly both land and freshwater are at a premium, setting off the Fourth World War.

2059-2074
The Aftermath
With humanity at stake, we do what we do best in times of duress. We innovate. To make space for 10 billion people, we colonize ocean floors and build cities into the stratosphere. We desalinate ocean water at a large scale for low cost. We issue a planet-wide moratorium on fossil fuels and, somehow, manage to get by with only solar, wind, hydroelectric, hydrogen, geothermal, ethanol-based, algal, hydrokinetic, nuclear and cold fusion energies. In 15 years, we achieve what we once had decades to figure out.

2074
Us, Only Better
Not only has science eliminated major diseases - including HIV, cancer and, at last, the common cold - but by 2074 science has reversed aging, and human augmentations become commonplace. Doctors begin issuing prescriptions for photographic memory, superhuman speed or "Hulk-strength."

2108
The Robots Unionize
Communication, education, advertising, Internet and television are broadcast directly to our brains. The only work available to humans involves discovery, creativity or innovation because all the other jobs belong to robots.


2115
Life, At Last
Our 150-year quest to look for life in the universe is answered with contact from our nearest stellar neighbour at Alpha Centauri, a mere 4.36 light-years away.

