(OPINION) They say no one can predict the future, but one woman has proved us wrong. Leading futurologist Marian Salzman has foreseen the top trends for over three decades. She even popularised the term “metrosexual” back in 2003, proving she has her finger firmly on the pulse of all the latest social shifts.
Salzman was talking about climate change back in 2010 and predicted a rise of a “bunker mentality” months before Covid hit. And now the 62-year-old, who has been dubbed “Carrie Bradshaw mixed with Hillary Clinton”, has released her latest predictions for 2022 after another year in limbo.
According to Mirror, In her latest report, 22 for 2022: Measuring Up What We Thought We Knew, the New York native discusses new technologies and deep post-Covid divides. “The world has fundamentally changed. 2022 is going to be a tormented year.” Here are ten of Salzman’s predictions for the year ahead…
According to NY Tech, Rising political and cultural divides, rampant conspiracy theories, and lingering financial tensions have left the superpower somewhat tarnished. And Salzman doesn’t think the future will be particularly bright for Uncle Sam. “Like the boy who cried wolf, I have been talking about America losing its shine since the late 1990s,” she says.
“Now more people are ready to listen.” Post-9/11, almost 14 million immigrants went to the country in search of the American dream – a new record. But Salzman says the financial crisis of 2007-8 and the election of President Trump in 2016 has only served to create greater apathy and polarisation.
Covid has widened the cracks, with many Americans considering the pandemic to be a hoax. Even the 2020 election of Joe Biden couldn’t allow for too much optimism, considering the subsequent assault on the US Capitol and the widespread belief that the election itself was fixed.
Climate change could signal the end of life as we know it, with water becoming a luxury item. We may all take it for granted, but the essential resource could become scarce – and sooner than you think. Some countries are already suffering from extended droughts while others are being hit by more extreme weather, causing intense rain and flooding. You can check out her full prediction HERE
