With much trepidation fuelled by vast quantities of alcohol, I have decided to do my
Nostradamus act and predict the future from the safety of my barbecue table.  Like all
soothsayers, I will use general terms that could mean anything imaginable but nothing in
particular.  Similar to politicians, I accept no responsibility for my opinions.
     I predict that in time Russian will become the world's most industrialised nation.  With her vast resources, endless territory and hard-working people, it seems fitting that she
will leap to the front.  Her communist period over, she has the ability providing she operates in a plausibly democratic fashion.
     The United States will have trouble conning foreigners to fund their increasing
international debt.  It seems ridiculous that their attempt to take over the world should be
funded by countries with so much to lose.  History tells us that all over extended empires
collapse from internal division.  As usual, those hurt the most will be their own people.  It
doesn't make sense to have the rich getting richer at the expense of the poor.  Nor is it social justice with today's wealth of technology and overproduction of food supplies.
     As always, China will lead the world in sensible cultural practises.  The centuries it
took to build The Great Wall would indicate that she's in no hurry to adopt the suicidal
cultures of Western Nations.  Confucius says many things that have turned out to be true.
     New Zealand nestling in the South Pacific will become the hideaway of the rich and
infamous seeking time out from destroying the world.  Housing will be so expensive the
average Kiwi will never be able to afford his own home.  Australia will become an offshore
colony providing salvation for intelligent Kiwis.
     The European Union will cooperate with Russia and become the powerhouse
controlling the world's finances.  Romania has a highly productive garden area that will grow most of Europe's vegetables.  France will continue to tease the British who will spend their time playing football, complaining about the arrogant French and price of booze.  Italy and Spain will make so much wine one will get drunk simply breathing the air.
     The Arab nations will stir themselves with the retrenchment of the United States and
in all probability, Israel will cease to exist.
     South East Asia will become the main producer of small consumer products and
specialist medical supplies.  Asian people are extremely talented in research and development and will out-invent Western scientists.
     The African continent will slide backwards until the despots are removed, then the
investment funds will flow and turn natural assets into wealth for the people.  The money
available to cure Aids will recreate a proud civilisation.  Lake Victoria will confirmed as the largest source of fresh water in the area.
     Argentina will raise two fingers to the IMF and enjoy her day in the sun raising cattle
and laughing at the US's predicament.
     Many Pacific Islands will disappear beneath the sea and the some people will return to
Asia.  Many will settle in Australia, New Zealand and South America.
     The days of international business corruption will abate as the economic cycle
revolves towards commonsense.   Each nation will specialise in doing what it does best and productivity will be to the people's advantage.  This is essential if politicians wish to survive.
      All these things will happen without conscious effort.  However, failure to act
sensibly should remind Man that 99.9% of all species that ever existed are now extinct.  I
predict that Man's ability to adapt always has been, and always will be, intrinsical for life on Earth.  And that the will of the people has little to do with secondhand car salesmen or politicians.