Dialogue:

W: Hi, Professor Smith. I hear you've written a book titled Visions.

M: Yes. It explains how science will revolutionize the 21st century.

W: Could I ask you some questions concerning the book?

M: Sure.

W: Are you optimistic about the future?

M: Generally, yeah. If we go back to the year of 1900, most Americans didn't live beyond the age of 50. Since then, we've had improvements in health care and technology. There is no reason why these won't continue far into the 21st century.

W: Are we ready for the changes that will come?

M: Changes are already happening. The future is here now. We have DNA, microchips, the internet. Some people's reaction is to say, we are too old; we don't understand new technology. My reaction is to say, we must educate people to use new technology now.

W: Is world population going to be a big problem?

M: Yes, and no. I think that world population will stop increasing as we all get richer. If you are a part of the middle class, you don't want or need 12 children.

W: Will there be a world government?

M: Very probably. We will have to manage the world and its resources on a global level because countries alone are too small.

W: Will we have control of everything?

M: I think we'll learn to control the weather, volcanoes and earthquakes. Illness won't exist. We'll grow new livers, kidneys, hearts, and lungs like spare parts for a car. People will live to about 130 or 150. For 2000 years, we have tried to understand our environment. Now we'll begin to control it.

Question: What does Professor Smith think human beings will be able to do? 

- Eliminate poverty and injustice.

- Migrate to other planets.

- Control the environment.


Control the environment.