Making predictions

Look at the descriptions of inventions predicted for the next few decades.

1 Which of these things already exist?

2 Which do you like most?

THE SMART HOUSE

All things in the house will be connected to the internet as part of a home network that runs your domestic life, interacting with barcodes on your food, and re-ordering them on-line as you use them. Virtually,all domestic appliances will be linked by computer, so that your electric toothbrush will be able to let your toaster know that you are ready for breakfast!

GLOBAL GAMES

Children of the future will never be able to complain that there’s no one to play with. Equipped with a virtual reality headset, a kid can take part in global games. Computer will select opponents who may live on the other side of the world.

BEHIND THE WEEL

Cars of the future will have the intelligent navigation system that can choose the best route for you by monitoring an on-line traffic database for hold-ups, while the cruise control keeps a constant distance from the car in front. And if you exceed the speed-limit, the speedometer will signal. Your car will allow only bona fide drivers behind the wheel, recognizing them by the iris of the eye.

HOLOGRAPHIC CONFERENCING

It will allow people to interact with colleagues and clients via computer without needing leaving their homes. Virtual meetings will involve people from different parts of the world.

ROBOTICS

Robots will become more intelligent and capable and soon will be out of control. They will become creators themselves. It’s better to remember where the off-switch is.

2 Make 3 predictions about social, economic and personal consequences of such inventions. Compare your ideas with the experts’ ones below.

BUT WHAT WILL IT ALL MEAN?

1 Teleworking and computer conferencing will mean that a lot more people will either work freelance from home, or on flexible short-term contracts.

2 Highly-skilled professionals will be under pressure to work longer and longer hours while much of the mundane work will be done by machines, leading to high unemployment amongst unskilled workers. There will be even less rich people and even more poor ones.

3 With inventions like cell phones and palmtops it’s becoming more and more difficult to escape from work – the boundaries between work and leisure are gradually becoming blurred.

4 Labour-saving devices and sedentary lifestyle could lead to an epidemic in obesity.

5 A growth in on-line shopping and home-working may mean that city centers become deserted wastelands. Loss of social interaction may lead to family problems and mental health problems.

6 We will adapt in all sorts of ways. You should never underestimate the amazing adaptability of human beings.

Discuss these questions.

1 Which of these predictions worry you?

2 In what ways might we adapt to the changes?

Divide the words and phrases in bold into the following categories (some words may fit to more than one).

work	leisure and social life	health	other

Write 8 sentences about life today, using some of the phrases.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29