We recognized and fought a climate crisis...and we lost. We realized too late that our "lifestyle" will cost many generations their heads. We still fought wars because we thought borders, religions, money or power were worth measuring in blood. We have marginalized people based on faith, skin color, sexuality or simple free spirit. We thought WE defined normal, determined the norm. But we have created generations that want to and will put an end to this. We have conjured up a battle and left the battlefield to our children and grandchildren. Now let them! Don't spoil it for them! We have already failed, now let them clean up the battlefield as THEY want. Support them and don't block them. You have been wrong for years, don't think that YOU now suddenly know the solution to the problem; you were the problem and now let the youth "attack" the problem too. Believe them, your narrow-mindedness must not cost so many people their future again. Much more: help them, help them with what you still have. Don't deny them the wish for change... you had these wishes too. And you know what it feels like to lose dreams and hope.

In 2040 I am retired, but due to a flexible labor market I still have some working hours, especially online. The help I and other retirees need (at home) is customized to the individual due to the use of AI. The content of education has also become more individualized - while children and young people are also learning how to behave socially. Private motoring has been largely eliminated; a number of vehicles are available; they come and pick you up themselves. This saves on car and parking costs. An annual health check (voluntary) helps catch many diseases in their early stages, improving quality of life and reducing hospital costs.

In 2040, the world has continued to grow together. Wars and exploitation are a thing of the past. Many diseases that were previously considered incurable can be cured. Faith in God has grown and people live together and for each other. AI takes over monotonous tasks and can make decisions. I like living in this time. The environment has recovered and climate change has been halted.

I hope that man will keep the advancing technology under control or even tone it down so that there is (again) more humanity, service, warmth among people. The world has become socially anti-social; nowadays you can get in touch with anyone on earth but you hardly know your neighbors, your loved ones. You can arrange (almost) everything remotely but a face-to-face contact hardly exists, everything has to be done digitally, cold, impersonal. If you want a personal contact you have to make an appointment and then you get so many minutes within x time to make your gevoeg. A chat with someone can do wonders