Skip 2022 and move on to 2023 - '7 Predictions for a year from now!'

1.Change is Embraced 2.Clean is the new cool 3.Business Travel Go’s Virtual 4.Humans Live In the Machine 5.Who’s Watching You Now 6.The Private and Public Sectors Become One 7.Fun With Others Comes Back

I love looking at the future and in years past have made predictions for what the year ahead may reveal.?As a positive change agent I’m already moving forward on 2022 so my predictions this year are looking at 2023. In this gadget loving age, it’s easy to forget the fact that change is actually driven by people; by their enterprise, by their needs and by their desires. It doesn’t occur simply as a result of new invention. Change will drive the defining feature of human existence over the next decade, because we’ve structured our lives—sometimes consciously and sometimes not—around the very dynamic of change. However, one rule of thumb is for certain, the future looks just like the present 90% of the time— then add 10% unimaginable weirdness on top. ?

?? Change is Embraced?

As consumers in a consumerist world, people will use change almost as a form of entertainment. Constant upgrading and change makes us feel good. Many people already replace their iPhone every time a new models released. Modern manufacturing works on the principle of ‘product obsolescence’ and in a very real way, many of us actually conspire in the non-durability of the products we buy, simply because we’re so happy to constantly upgrade. We are going to a world of constant change because science and technology have reached a point of critical mass. New developments spiral forward to further developments and so on and so on. Our world is certain to keep changing at a fantastic pace simply because we have the tools and capacity to keep things changing; and because there are increasingly more of us involved in that process of change. We upgrade and replace simply because we like to and because we can. In western countries it’s now commonplace for politicians to speak of the ‘economy’ when they mean the nation or the society; and to refer to people as ‘consumers’ rather than citizens.?And we have no fear and think it’s cool/clean.

?? Clean is the new cool

Don’t be surprised to hear “Wow that’s Clean” instead of “Wow that’s Cool”, since Covid, public spaces, transportation and for most, even our homes have been through the ultimate spring cleaning. Diligent, humanity-driven clean practices are now an essential element of our daily routines and crucial requirement of combating the threat of future outbreaks. 20 second hand washing is no longer suggested it is the norm. This pandemic fallout is becoming the moral of the world, 2023 will bring this moral to cleaning our planet. Companies like Persefoni’s SaaS Platform begins to enable enterprises and financial institutions to meet stakeholder and regulatory climate disclosure requirements with the highest degrees of trust, transparency, and ease.?Thus organizations around the world will turn cleaning the planet into a measurable asset in increasing value. ‘Wow isn’t that Clean!”

?? Business Travel Go’s Virtual

In no time at all, business travel went from a high-status activity to an unnecessary evil. In 2020, air travel represented one of the largest industries in the world. Yet, 2020 forced people to completely stop traveling by plane, or should I say the virus did.?As horrific an experience as it was, the coronavirus taught us that, yes, we accomplish tasks together even though we are apart, and spurred us to take the first steps on the long journey to work toghter no matter where we are. With incredible speed in technology advancement, business travel by 2023 will virtually stop.?Instead visual rooms will provide us with physical presence together not just rectangles of heads. Online hugs will be physically felt.?

?? Humans Live In the Machine

For years we saw combat innovation accelerate technological advancement, and in addition so too did COVID. The development of virtual reality collaboration tools and haptic technologies are now everyday utilities. The opportunity of multi-sensory virtual interaction has opened an overwhelming new frontier. Today, we attend virtual and holographic concerts, from the safety of our homes. By 2023 it will be your choice to have to find parking or miss the last train home, instead let the machines bring it to you.?On demand takes on a whole new meaning. We stepped into a world where we have realized we could very easily live inside the machine. The home will be the machine. ?

?? Who’s Watching You Now

Of course, during the COVID crisis, surveillance sounded sensible, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Everything that could move online, did. The virus was scary, but its pains welded together imagination and creativity out of necessity. The universe of online connections pushed possibilities far beyond what had been imagined. In a post-virus age, we will be seeing the true death of privacy. Anything will be seen, conversations will be heard. As private corporations continue to take over more and more responsibility for how we communicate - and through Cloud computing—how we store what we communicate—issues around privacy, ownership and the exploitation of people’s personal data will intensify. Post-COVID a permanent surveillance infrastructure will be here to stay. For the future the world has accepted its destiny of online listening, responding, play and everything in between. The long-term impact is the creation of what’s in cyberspace is part of the machine. “Wow I don’t know if that’s Clean!”

?? The Private and Public Sectors Become One?

There is a growing confusion between the private and public sectors, 2023 will bring an end to the distinct division of the two. In the minds of many citizens/consumers the 21st century has brought about the no need for issues but feed the popular. Like steroids, we live in an increasingly what’s popular wins age, and I don’t mean that as a value statement, but as a statement of fact. Face it, many people view Facebook as the new ‘town square’ rather than what it is—a profit-driven marketing platform. The same is and will be more prevalent with all social sites in 2023. The great certainty in life (aside from death and taxes) is change. And that change will be melting the private and public together. With the populous now firmly established in wanting the popular rather than the issues, it would be foolhardy to assume we will ever go back to the old ways of government.?Maybe that’s clean.?

?? Fun With Others Comes Back

With all the talk about virus, disease, and illness, just think about your doctor writing you a prescription for fun!?2023 will feel that way.?The medical profession does in fact profess that fun and leisure time are part of a healthy regimen.?As we spent time doing the things that create laughs and smiles, the things we love and enjoy, some of the pressures we feel can’t help but escape. People will be unwinding and focus on more activities that take their minds off their worries.?A new light will prevail and perhaps people will begin to love more than they hate. I for one will pray for that.?

Happy 2023 and the year to prepare for it!