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Revolution, Flashmobs, And Brain Chips. A Grim Vision Of The Future
The Guardian (UK) ^ | 4-9-2007 | Richard Norton-Tyalor

Posted on 04/08/2007 8:06:02 PM PDT by blam

Revolution, flashmobs, and brain chips. A grim vision of the future

Richard Norton-Taylor Monday April 9, 2007 The Guardian (UK)

The MoD predicts more use of chemical weapons. Photograph: Paul J Richards/EPA

Information chips implanted in the brain. Electromagnetic pulse weapons. The middle classes becoming revolutionary, taking on the role of Marx's proletariat. The population of countries in the Middle East increasing by 132%, while Europe's drops as fertility falls. "Flashmobs" - groups rapidly mobilised by criminal gangs or terrorists groups. This is the world in 30 years' time envisaged by a Ministry of Defence team responsible for painting a picture of the "future strategic context" likely to face Britain's armed forces. It includes an "analysis of the key risks and shocks". Rear Admiral Chris Parry, head of the MoD's Development, Concepts & Doctrine Centre which drew up the report, describes the assessments as "probability-based, rather than predictive".

The 90-page report comments on widely discussed issues such as the growing economic importance of India and China, the militarisation of space, and even what it calls "declining news quality" with the rise of "internet-enabled, citizen-journalists" and pressure to release stories "at the expense of facts". It includes other, some frightening, some reassuring, potential developments that are not so often discussed.

New weapons

An electromagnetic pulse will probably become operational by 2035 able to destroy all communications systems in a selected area or be used against a "world city" such as an international business service hub. The development of neutron weapons which destroy living organs but not buildings

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: flashmobs; future; grim; revolution

1 posted on 04/08/2007 8:06:05 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam

I really wish we could find a way off the rock right about now.


2 posted on 04/08/2007 8:11:36 PM PDT by Zeroisanumber (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?)
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To: blam

“The MoD predicts more use of chemical weapons.”

....OLD HAT....!!!

http://www.freedominion.ca/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14556

When you’ve already BEEN gassed...it’s just another day.


3 posted on 04/08/2007 8:17:38 PM PDT by JB in Whitefish
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To: Zeroisanumber

“”declining news quality” with the rise of “internet-enabled, citizen-journalists” “

????????

BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHOHOHOHOHEEHEEHEEAAAAHHHH.....!!!!

[unles you count Rosie O’Dumbell’s blog]


4 posted on 04/08/2007 8:19:13 PM PDT by JB in Whitefish
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To: blam

Faith Popcorn this one is not. The future is thrown by a knuckleball pitcher.


5 posted on 04/08/2007 8:27:10 PM PDT by bvw
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To: blam

I read the article and its predictions seem wholly unrealistic. They’re talking about a whole lot of change for the next 3 decades and IMHO they’ve missed the boat or they have been consulting with algore.

BTW, I also expect a lot of change, but not what they’re preaching.


6 posted on 04/08/2007 8:31:39 PM PDT by umgud
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To: Zeroisanumber
I really wish we could find a way off the rock right about now.

I really think there is something that is conspiring to prevent us getting off this rock. Can't have a frontier in the new world order or else people will want to leave.

7 posted on 04/08/2007 8:36:28 PM PDT by Centurion2000 (Killing all of your enemies without mercy is the only sure way of sleeping soundly at night.)
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To: blam

i’ve been refering to myself lately as a right-wing bolshevik...


8 posted on 04/08/2007 8:37:21 PM PDT by wildcatf4f3 (Hey, this aint like the 1960s, this is like the 1860s.)
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To: blam

People who try to predict the future have a terrible track record. Who would have predicted the problems we’re having with Islamofacism 30 years ago?


9 posted on 04/08/2007 8:39:30 PM PDT by rbg81 (1)
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To: wildcatf4f3

Bolshevik Party Meeting

10 posted on 04/08/2007 8:41:36 PM PDT by blam
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To: Centurion2000
I really think there is something that is conspiring to prevent us getting off this rock. Can't have a frontier in the new world order or else people will want to leave.

I'd leave now if I had an opportunity and a livable destination. Even a base of some sort on the Moon would be pretty nice.

11 posted on 04/08/2007 8:51:28 PM PDT by Zeroisanumber (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?)
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To: blam

A EMP device triggered 30 miles high over the central USA could wipe out the electronics of 80% of the US.
This is real stuff.

Barbarians and anarchists could rule the world because law and order is not being effective aginst those developing groups now.

Dr. Doom is knocking at civilization’s door.


12 posted on 04/08/2007 8:51:40 PM PDT by o_zarkman44 (No Bull in 08!)
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To: umgud
I read the article and its predictions seem wholly unrealistic.

I pray you are correct. But at the same time I wonder how hard would it be for Jihadis, for instance, to introduce very antidote-resistant diseases into our food supply? Mad Cow, wheat rust, etc. If "they" could destroy our food supply, what would we do?

Of course, what comes around goes around and some of them must fear that they could kill themselves in the process, so it all depends upon how nuts they are.

13 posted on 04/08/2007 8:51:42 PM PDT by FlyVet (O)
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To: rbg81

I think science fiction has accurately predicted many devices used today. Lasers. Space shuttles. dick Tracys radio/video wristband. maxwell smarts cell phone disguised as a shoe. WMD. Robots. Computers. Climate change-—maybe.

As for predicting people’s behavior, we can look back to Jimmy Carters foreign policy failure for creating islamofacism. The collapse of the Soviet Union and their social democracy. Failures in foreign policy have created many scenarios that dominate current trends in people control. Uncontrolled immigration has lead to the current crisis. etc etc


14 posted on 04/08/2007 9:00:21 PM PDT by o_zarkman44 (No Bull in 08!)
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To: o_zarkman44

The National Intelligence Council (NIC) is the Intelligence Community’s (IC’s) center for midterm and long-term strategic thinking.

http://www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_2020_project.html

The Age of Intelligent Machines by Raymond Kurzweil
http://www.kurzweilai.net/meme/frame.html?m=11


15 posted on 04/08/2007 9:09:35 PM PDT by endthematrix (Both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought.)
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To: endthematrix

With all the computerized weapons being developed, SkyNet defenses could be activated and the T-1A Terminator Machines could take over the world.
Science fiction???

I think it is completely possible.


16 posted on 04/08/2007 9:17:46 PM PDT by o_zarkman44 (No Bull in 08!)
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