Each new year heralds some predictable human behaviors, most notably the ever-popular New Year’s Resolution. There’s something about turning to a fresh new calendar that inspires many of us to vow to improve ourselves in some area of our lives. Whether it’s physical, mental, emotional, financial or otherwise, it nearly always requires some behavior modification.
A new year also gets its share of predictions; from analysts, psychics, climatologist, and other experts in all fields. With the increasing interest in ancient Mayan prophecies, 2012 has more than its share of predictions; some mundane, some bizarre, and some, no doubt, that are likely to come to pass. Here’s a short sampling of the more futuristic predictions:*
Space hotel on schedule to open in 2012
A company intending to develop the first hotel in space claims it will accept its first paying guests in 2012, despite skepticism over the investment and time frame for the multi-billion dollar project. Barcelona-based Galactic Suite Space Resort officials report that it will cost 3 million euro ($4.4 million) for a three-night stay, which will include an eight-week training course on a tropical island. “During their stay, guests would see the sun rise 15 times a day and travel around the world every 80 minutes. They would wear Velcro suits so they can crawl around their pod rooms by sticking themselves to the walls like Spiderman …” reuter.com (site accessed Nov 09)
Robotic suit in final production
The Power Assist Suit (PAS), 15 years in development, will see real world application in 2012, after going into production this year. It’ll cost $11,000. “If the farmer bends over to grasp a radish, his back will be firmly supported,” student Gohei Yamamoto said during a demonstration of the suit. “A brief vocal instruction will instantly straighten the rods along his legs, giving him the power he needs to pull the vegetable without effort.” dvice.com (site accessed April 2010)
Talking cars to be on the road by 2012
“Cars that talk to each other and respond to danger much faster than humans could be on the road as soon as 2012. A team from the University of South Australia has used Dedicated Short Range Communications technology to develop a system that broadcasts information to other cars using a combination of GPS and WiFi …”
newlaunches.com (site accessed Feb 2009)
“Groundbreaking advancements in the realm of space engineering may soon see the moon sown with the first gardens to grow on the lunar surface. As part of the Google Lunar X Prize, Paragon Space Development Corporation has recently teamed with Odyssey Moon to develop a pressurized mini greenhouse to deploy on the surface of the moon, grow a plant from seed, and hopefully see it flower and seed itself …” inhabitat.com (site accessed April 2009)
Happy New Year!
*www.2012predictions.net
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