The Future Issue - SPREAD Sustainable Lifestyles 2050

A GUIDED TOUR TO THE FUTURENAME: Vladimir PopovskiAGE: 16OCCUPATION: PupilIf I had to describe my life in 2050 inthree words it would be; digital, wikidemocratic,ubiquitous technology and(can I have one more?) 3D printers! Theseare all things that are very much partof life today. They shape almost everymove I make. I have never really knowna life much different from this. I can’teven imagine a one dimensional worldwithout a digital layer of reality – allthe objects, the environment and thepeople around me exist in both physicaland virtual worlds. Having access toboth enables so much choice but alsoresponsibility. That is why we have specialcourses at school that help us dealwith the moral and ethical implicationsof the enormous individual freedomthat comes from a the three dimensionaldigitalisation of our surroundingsand ourselves. I will admit that ethics ofdigitalisation is not my favourite subjectbut do appreciate that it is important.Absolutely vital is the 3D printer thatwe share in the lobby of my high-risebuilding. They have been around for along time but only recently have greatprinter-sharing schemes been developed.From my grandparents I knowthat this sharing model has led to abig difference in the whole patternsof consumerism, waste managementand marketing by businesses. Anythingfrom clothes, school materials or smartphones can all be printed out and personallydesigned. All this is done usingrecycled materials that are at the endof their lifecycle. This has led to fashiontrends that are much more individualised.It’s great fun experimenting withdifferent materials, colours and cuts.Because of my sister I am also very awareof the many developments in healthcare that make her life much easier. Sheis in a wheelchair but the Peer-to-Peernetwork supports both preventativeand reactive health care. Public fundingis provided by healthcare cooperativesand digital feedback tools are used byeveryone. That means the hospitals arealways informed about my sister’s medicalstatus and can react faster than ifthey waited for her response. Having asister with a partial disability has reallyopened my eyes to the many benefitsthat a digitalised world can bring if it isused and directed in the right way.A day in my life:One of the first things I do when I wakeup is check all the online communities.I’m in for updates, messages or importantinformation for the day (weather,news, whether the trains are runningon time, list of micro tasks, the mostefficient way to plan my day, etc.). Becausewe live in a smart house there area lot of gadgets that help us out. TheWise Personal Food Shopper makes sureI have good and nutritious food thatperfectly matches my genetic profileand needs. I just check my shelf in thefridge and will know the breakfast thatis best for me on that day.Then digital school – with my smart travelapps I know which route will be thefastest. Usually I hop on a train. Evenwhile I’m travelling I can use the time towork off my list of micro tasks that aremostly online. I have school for 6 hoursa day but I am not bound to a specificspace because it’s completely digital.My travel plans depend more on thepeople that I need to meet rather thanthe courses I am taking. In the afternoonswe all hang around our school tofinish tasks but also play virtual gamesor design cool new objects for our 3Dprinters. Also, we are always sure to getenough exercise. This can come in theform of a learning game involving movementor joining one of the many freesport and health clubs available.The school curriculum includes a bigfocus on peer-to-peer learning and interactivelearning by doing. Ubiquitoustechnology enables instant feedbackloops that accelerate the sharing ofknowledge. Unlike the old school systemwe don’t have any class rooms. Welearn in groups and there are plenty ofopportunities for us to use in the surroundingco-working offices.My Motto:“Digital networks make my day.”50