The Next 50 Years

Ever since the turn of the century, technological advancement has skyrocketed. Even in my own short 19 years of life, I have seen technology go from the simplest cellphone sans touchscreen and chunky computers to face recognition on Iphones and Virtual Reality as an available college major. If we continue at this pace, the next 50 years are sure to be full of giant technological leaps for mankind.

I predict that by 2028, holographic imaging will have changed exponentially. Rather than using a touchscreen to communicate, holograms and VR-like screens will be used a la Tony Stark’s tech. We’re about to break the mold of the IPhone already. Google Glass will have been adapted into a more practical form, but no matter what I think it’ll become mainstream. Entertainment will be venturing deep into VR. By 2038, robots will have most likely taken over the workforce, causing a crisis for employment. This will effect the topics of films, books, and social media as people scramble to decide how to proceed in a technology-based world. Like in many movies and books, body modifications are predicted to become mainstream, and I wholly agree. Hair knows no bounds in 2018, and by 2048 we will be able to do pretty much anything. Fashion will be avant-garde and androgynous, and gender and sexuality as a spectrum will be widely accepted and understood. I think 2058 will mark the creation of flying cars, and by 2068 they will have been adapted into the world.

Personally, I have bright plans for my future. Ten years from now, I plan to be working as a storyboard artist at Pixar. I will have worked my way up through the animation pipeline, clocking in hours and hours to make the next generation of fantastic films. By 2038, my admittedly sky high goal is to have attended the Oscars for a film I helped create. I don’t need to win, but to attend because of a nomination is the dream come true. I’ll hopefully have a family and a happy home life, and my career will be on steady course upwards. By 2048, thirty years from now, I want to have worked my way all the way up, possibly working at a level similar to John Lasseter. I’d love to publish a YA book as well, and by then I should have done so. Then, at the end of the next fifty years, I’ll have retired joyfully and satisfied in life, having left an impact in the animation industry.

If future 70 year old me could talk to the me of today, I’d tell myself to work hard, harder than I’ve ever worked before. Everything I want in life relies on my ability to work hard and practice self discipline. No more procrastination. Always be making art. Always be connecting with industry professionals. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas, and while you should take pride in them, be open to criticism. It’s pretty cliche career advice, but it’s the most important advice I can give myself. And, of course, through it all find time to be happy. Never lose your optimism. I try to always see the bright side of life, and it makes every day so much more enjoyable when you have hope for the future.