# population old quote 1996

Here is one optimistic but realistic scenario of what might

happen [...] (physical constraints *are* taken account of,

in phases 1 through 6 - but not 7, for a reason): 

(1) population peaks at about 9 billion by 2035;

(2) near mid-century, a severe shortage of workforce is felt;

(3) a breakthrough permitting

mass production of babies by *in vitro* gestation

is achieved (with perfect genetic health, too). A global

economic boom follows - and extra-global,

too:  space ventures get really profitable at last.

(4) population explodes, reaching 100 billion by

2150, three quarters of them on earth, the rest

around the Solar System; Earth is mostly a place

for living and brainwork now (a most pleasant place,

a garden planet) - much of industry and agriculture

has moved off-planet.

(5) A.D. 2,250: a trillion humans live in

the Solar System (a quarter trillion of

them on Earth); interstellar colonization is beginning,

with great amounts of human genetic material shipped

along. All people are practically immortal by now,

except for accidents. Per capita energy

consumption is 1,000 the present Western level.

Perfect health, vigor and radiant happiness

throughout the unlimited life are everyone's birthright.

(6) A.D 2,400: a quadrillion humans inhabit

the Solar System, quintillions exist in nearby

parts of the Galaxy and are spreading like

a forest fire. Mankind's immortality

(and that of formerly terrestrial life) is guaranteed.

But, due to genetic engineering,

humans have split into several species by

this time (all of them far superior to modern

Homo semiSapiens) - and  continue to evolve.

Their knowledge and understanding exceed ours

as much as ours differ from a chimp's.

(7) A.D. 3,000. The space-time continuum itself

has become manipulable by post-humans.

They manufacture universes out of vacuum, they

influence cosmic evolution as *we* influence

global evolution already. Their intelligence has

increased on a par with their powers.

By our standards (though

not by theirs!) they are gods. No limits

that we can think of apply to them.