How did Americans imagine the year 2025 in 1998?
Medianews.az reports that there is a clear answer to this question. Indeed, in 1998, two reputable sociological institutions – Gallup and "USA Today" polling centers – conducted a survey among 1,055 Americans. During the survey, Americans’ predictions about the year 2025 were studied. The results of the survey are preserved today in the archive of Cornell University.
Among the predictions made by Americans 27 years ago, some have been confirmed, while others have not.
Medianews.az notes that the predictions that turned out to be correct are as follows:
- A Black person will be elected president in the USA
- Same-sex marriages will be legalized and become widespread
- A new and dangerous disease will emerge
- Space travel will not be mass for ordinary citizens
- Contact will not be established with extraterrestrials.
Unconfirmed predictions:
- There will be a female president of the USA (about two-thirds of respondents expected this)
- A complete cure for cancer will be found (more than half of respondents thought so)
- Living to 100 years will become ordinary (61 percent of respondents expected this).
In the 1998 survey, respondents also made pessimistic predictions such as a decrease in personal privacy, a narrowing of personal freedoms, and difficulties in properly raising children, as well as optimistic predictions such as improvement in interracial relations and more accessible medical services.
In 1998, 60 percent of Americans were satisfied with the country. By 2025, this figure has dropped to 24 percent.
Toğrul Ali,
Medianews.az