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78
What will the future bring?
(Part II)
Global change
Many of the big changes that have affected our lives over the past couple
of decades haven’t been predicted by anyone – such as the coming of the inter-
net, the disappearance of communism in eastern Europe almost overnight in
1989-1990, the war in ex-Yugoslavia, the anti-globalization movement. 11 Sep-
tember 2001, and the invasion of Iraq. Almost certainly, something else as yet
unforeseen will come out of the side-field over the next few years to influence
our everyday lives and politics. So I will say what I’d like to see rather than
offer empty predictions. I hope (and believe) that Great Britain will become a
more social-democratic country. I hope (but doubt) the US will change its atti-
tudes to energy dependence and the ecological crisis. I hope (and believe it to
be a real possibility) the aim of ending absolute poverty in the world can be
solved.
Fashion
Fashion will polarize: it will either be about being incredibly well-dressed
or incredibly casual, with almost nothing in between. The area right under the
bust – the midribs – will continue to be exposed. To be able to show this you’ll
have to stay in really good shape. For men, it’s about suits with cling and high-
er heels.
Music
The war against piracy and illegal downloading will continue. CD sales on-
line and in supermarkets will be good for industry profits, but will probably lead
to a wider gulf between “successful” and “unsuccessful” artists. In the past dec-
ade eclecticism has prevailed. Rock and hip-hop will work together – finally.
Country music will surprise its critics and continue to get hipper, and don’t bet
against (in fact, never bet against) the popularity of Christian Surf Goth Rock.
