Forecasting the Future

As I logged on to complete assignments for my classes, I noticed the slow loading times that it took for me to connect to the Wi-Fi, to load on to another page, and to even submit homework for a class. These issues I have now should be eliminated in the future. The future of Internet Communication should all be summed up into one short phrase: constant connectivity.

First, the United States will have internet coverage through all locations in the country. Whether you are on a beach in Florida or between mountains in Arkansas, you will be able to access the internet. ISPs will create more satellites and other platforms to enable internet access for even the most rural of consumers. There is money to be made in rural environments, this is because money is being lost any time a family takes a trip to rural location without internet service. With service being available everywhere, consumers will spend even more time on the internet than before.

Next on the agenda will be the realm of VR. VR will be so intensive that there will be a multitude of jobs specifically performed on VR networks. While many video games have NPCs that have programmed commands that players must use to sell or buy equipment to, there will be players whose job is to sell in-game merchandise to other players. These vendors will be hired by the VR companies and paid with real money. There will be so many jobs that are performed in VR because of the escapism that VR provides.

VR will be so ingrained into the American life that most people will spend the day continuously plugged in. They will play games in VR, work in VR, and watch TV in VR. It will get to the point that the news will be played at a point to where the consumer can watch even the most horrific events happen right in front of them. A news helicopter recording a highspeed chase will have the viewer either in the helicopter or even in the passenger seat of the vehicle that’s being chased. Even the taboo will be watched in VR. Tragedies from victims’ perspectives and pornographic material will be both seen and simulated within the realm of VR.

VR will also be used in the commercial realm and even on the battlefield. Truck drivers, pilots, and other transportation-based services will have VR drivers. Teachers will teach to a virtual classroom. Referees will call games through a headset. Within the aspect of war, all military vehicles will be operated with all weapons being manned by military personnel with VR. The increase in robotics will find many troops taking charge of a robot to perform battlefield tasks that would normally require troops on the ground.

Another point is the internet speed. Slow connection times and buffering will be eliminated as the technology increases. Every second used on buffering a video is a second that YouTube and other companies don’t make from you watching their ads or videos. Because of this, the speed will be faster. Streaming will become so much more of a regular job with the connection abilities increasing for everyone. These fast internet speeds will boost the VR business and video watching businesses.

Cyber attacks will become much more regular, however, as the changes in internet activity will be much faster than any company’s ability to construct protective measures for their software. The rise of internet companies that ensure your data’s safety will rise dramatically. These companies will require much higher fees to protect against viruses and hacks while simultaneously continuing to monitor your computer daily.

Journalism will a much more chaotic field with the realm of VR having to be covered as well. Small drones will help with video coverage of the regular world as both camera technology and flight technology will allow for much smaller manned drones. These drones will be user controlled and taken anywhere. Police chases, tragedies, or just regular day to day coverage will be much closer (and the closer you are with the camera, the more personal it feels.)

Journalism in VR will be weird as the situations in these realms won’t be as drastic as the real world. A character dying in VR is nowhere near as tragic as an individual dying in real life. Nevertheless, media coverage will continue in the realm of VR. ESport competitions, VR Retailers, and other sources will be covered. The only change to this scenario would be if the human consciousness itself was to be added to computer systems.

To take everything and reiterate, it seems as though the world will change along a path that we can already predict. VR will be much more in depth and will be used by most Americans. Internet speeds will be incredibly fast and there will be internet coverage all across America. The only downside to any of this will be the spike in hackers and viruses across the internet.