The text predicts that while 2025 has been disastrous, 2026 may be less severe but still challenging politically and socially. It anticipates infighting among Trump’s supporters and growing division within the Republican Party. The Democrats face their own internal struggles between populist factions. AI technology advancements will continue, with significant public backlash against its implications, particularly in finance. The looming issues include mass media control by billionaires, potential wars, public health crises, and more environmental damage. Despite the predictive somber outlook, there is a hint of optimism for recovery as problems are acknowledged.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intensifying Republican Infighting | Internal divisions within Trump’s coalition will lead to significant party infighting. | Shift from unified support for Trump to rising intraparty conflict as approval ratings wane. | In 10 years, the Republican Party may face long-term fragmentation and competition between factions. | Fear of losing electoral power will drive factions to clash and reassess their strategies. | 4 |
| AI Cultural Backlash | Incremental improvements in AI lead to widespread cultural dissatisfaction and backlash. | Societal acceptance of AI technologies drops as frustrations with their limitations grow. | In a decade, the tech backlash could shape regulatory environments around AI and its applications. | Public frustration from AI failures will motivate a stronger demand for accountability and transparency. | 5 |
| Decline of Crypto Valuations | The market experiences a ‘crypto winter’ as major investors lose confidence. | Shift from speculative investments in crypto to a market realization of its valuelessness. | In 10 years, cryptocurrency may be largely abandoned or redefined, focusing on practical applications. | Investor sentiment and regulatory pressures will dictate the future viability of cryptocurrencies. | 4 |
| Media Consolidation | Billionaires increasingly buy up major media outlets, concentrating media power. | Shift from diverse media ownership to oligopolistic control over information channels. | In 10 years, media diversity will be critically diminished, impacting public discourse and information access. | The pursuit of profit and influence by a few powerful individuals drives this consolidation forward. | 4 |
| Worsening Public Health Outcomes | Rising mortality rates tied to preventable diseases as data becomes unreliable. | Transition from reliable health data to questionable public health reporting, worsening outcomes. | In a decade, public health systems may face crises due to unregulated misinformation and data opacity. | Government negligence and lack of transparent data management will exacerbate health issues. | 5 |
| Environmental Neglect | Increased carbon emissions despite advancements in renewable energy technologies. | Continued environmental degradation despite availability of clean alternatives, highlighting systemic failures. | In 10 years, climate change impacts may become more severe due to inaction on sustainable practices. | Economic interests and political priorities will overshadow necessary environmental actions. | 5 |
| Substack’s Declining Quality | Substack faces internal challenges leading to a decrease in quality for users. | Shift from high-quality, authentic content to a focus on growth at the expense of user experience. | In 10 years, platforms prioritizing profit may struggle with user retention and authenticity. | The need to satisfy venture capital expectations will drive downward pressure on platform integrity. | 3 |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Brittle party unity within the Republican Party | Potential for significant intra-party conflict leading to governance challenges and reduced stability as factions blame each other. |
| Descent into authoritarian governance | Concerns about the consolidation of power and erosion of democratic norms under Trump’s administration and its impact on elections. |
| AI backlash and societal rejection | Mass social rejection of AI technologies, leading to cultural and economic consequences due to perceived failures and misapplications of AI. |
| Financial instability due to AI and crypto bubbles | Artificially supported financial bubbles, particularly in AI and crypto markets, may lead to significant economic downturns if they burst. |
| Consolidation of media power by billionaires | Increasing control of mass communication outlets by a few wealthy individuals, limiting diverse perspectives and accountability in journalism. |
| Increasing mortality from preventable diseases | Rising death rates linked to preventable health issues amidst unreliable government data and oversight. |
| Environmental degradation and carbon emissions | Growing carbon emissions and insufficient actions towards renewable energy implementation, leading to climate change worsening. |
| Government unpreparedness for disasters | Inadequate readiness to respond to natural disasters, compounded by media collusion and suppression of related discussions. |
| Public health misinformation | Government’s potential denial of public health emergencies, exacerbating crises and undermining public trust. |
| Increased militarization and potential conflicts | Possibility of entering conflicts with other countries due to politically motivated decisions, risking international relations and security. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Intra-Party Infighting | Trump’s coalition is predicted to become increasingly fractious, leading to internal conflicts and a decrease in unified front. |
| Cultural Backlash against AI Technologies | Widespread dissatisfaction with AI, marked by a significant cultural rejection similar to that of Google Glass. |
| Media Consolidation by Billionaires | Further acquisition of major media outlets by billionaires that consolidates their control over communication channels. |
| Engagement-driven Changes in Content Platforms | Substack is set to worsen in quality due to chasing growth hacks, leading to a decline in user satisfaction. |
| Escalation of Preventable Health Crises | An increase in mortality rates from preventable diseases due to unreliable government data and inadequate public health response. |
| Environmental Negligence | Rising carbon emissions despite the availability of cheaper renewable energy solutions, indicating policy failures. |
| Social Media Algorithms Suppressing Critical Issues | Platform algorithms are predicted to minimize discussions on important crises, obscuring vital social issues. |
| War Developments | A potential conflict with Venezuela signaling a continuation of aggressive foreign policy under Trump. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| AI Coding Assistants | Incremental improvements in AI tools aiding software development, showing promise but limited to specific tasks. |
| Generative AI | Continues to evolve but is not general-purpose, creating backlash against its application in various sectors. |
| Algorithmic Social Media Platforms | Platforms suppress discussion and control narrative flow, driven by algorithms designed for engagement over truth. |
| Substack’s Growth Hacks | The trend of opting for growth strategies that may degrade content quality, impacting user experience and satisfaction. |
| Crypto Investments | Inconsistent use cases for cryptocurrency amidst economic pressure leading to decreased investor confidence. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Intra-Party Infighting among Trump Supporters | Increased infighting within Trump’s governing coalition may weaken their unified stance, creating political turbulence as election season approaches. |
| AI Technology Backlash | The rise of dissatisfaction towards generative AI technologies could lead to a significant cultural rejection of high-profile technologies akin to the reaction against Google Glass. |
| Media Consolidation by Billionaires | Growing consolidation of media outlets by wealthy individuals risks diminishing independent journalism and further skewing mass communication. |
| Public Health Crisis and Misinformation | Potential increase in mortality rates from preventable diseases linked to unreliable government data and public health responses. |
| Environmental Degradation amid Renewable Advances | Despite advancements in renewable energy, environmental damage continues largely unchecked, with increased carbon emissions projected. |
| Political and Economic Fallout from AI and Crypto Instabilities | As AI and crypto bubbles persist, any resulting economic instability might plunge markets further, impacting broader economic confidence. |
| Public Emergency Response Failures | Any future public health emergencies might see governmental denial and unpreparedness, exacerbating crises. |