Some Exciting Things Could Happen By 2050. Here Are 5 Creepy Ones.
It's exciting to think of all the cool things we might see and experience by the year 2050.
Our digital and physical worlds could be virtually seamless.
Maybe we'll start making cross-country trips a lot easier.
Maybe we'll cure cancer.
Maybe we'll celebrate the discovery of life on other planets.
Or maybe, just maybe ... flying cars!
Flying cars with time travel?
Nah, probably not. But I'll remain boyishly hopeful.
With any luck, I'll still be around in 2050. And it'd be pretty neat to see what we've created and achieved — in the service of life, especially.
But here are five scary things that scientists and economists believe could happen by 2050.
We should avoid them at all costs so we can focus on all the cool stuff we want to happen.
1. Environmental exile
Environmental changes caused by global warming could force millions of people around the world from their homes. A 2014 study noted that even the slightest rise in global temperature (around 3º C) could displace upwards of 600 million people.
2. Flooding in coastal cities
Rising sea levels threaten the livability of coastal cities everywhere. Even the mighty New York City isn't safe. The chances of storm tides surging over the Manhattan sea wall have gone up by 20%. It used to happen every few hundred years. Now it could happen every four to five.
3. Widespread food shortages
Higher temperatures, drought, and erratic weather events are slowing crop yields. A World Food Programme report says that food shortages by 2050 could lead to the malnourishment of an additional 20 million kids.
4. Disease ... everywhere
The combination of rising heat and moisture plus growing international travel could lead to the global spread of disease by insects. The dengue fever is a good example: The World Health Organization writes that it is "the world's fastest growing vector-borne disease ... with a 30-fold increase in disease incidence over the last 50 years."
5. Cyber and nuclear warfare
One of the downsides of a high-tech world is the rise of cyber warfare, which, by nature, is a much more even battleground, especially for smaller and weaker countries. This shifting balance of power could freak out governments and increase the possibility of nuclear attacks by 2050.
The future is what we make it. So what's it gonna be: a destructive procession or a parade of awesomeness?
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.