top of page

Ordinary mornings in 2042

Anonymous

April 26, 2023

Ordinary mornings in 2042

This image was generated with Dream Studio AI.

7am, March 28th 2042:
My personal assistant wakes me up with my favorite workday song and turns on the coffee machine. An ordinary alarm clock would perfectly do the job, but the automatic coffee machine is convenient after all.
While I brush my teeth, my personal assistant displays daily news on the mirror in front of me. Scientists came up with a new way to efficiently store an infinite amount of energy. I guess we are close to reaching complete carbon-neutrality for electricity production (8 years ahead of the plan!).
The next article reports that the 4-day workweek which was implemented in the EU in 2035 shows promising results. People started exercising more, spent more time with their families, attended more cultural events and participated more in local politics. I would tend to confirm it in my own case.
The following article reports how the unified EU-wide social security system enables workers to swiftly move from one country to another with significantly less paperwork and administrative hurdles. I always wondered why it was not implemented earlier.
The next article discusses an ongoing problem in our society. Biotechnology has enabled humans to amplify their physical and cognitive abilities. These technologies became increasingly affordable (though still quite expensive), and it led to a dualistic society. I keep asking myself what we can do about it, probably nothing. We made a lot of progress in guaranteeing and protecting freedoms to choose our life paths, education, careers, whom we love, how we dress, which god we worship and so on and so on. I guess choosing to enhance our abilities is also part of these choices.
The last topic of my daily news review concerns the increase of retirement age. Apparently it's a side effect of the 4-day workweek. I guess I won't be retired before 2085 or something… But at least most bullshit jobs have been taken over by AI and automated systems and I have all the freedom to choose a professional activity that fulfills my life goals.

related stories

hallo
In 2040, only organic food will be available. There will be no more animal suffering caused by humans, neither for food production nor for animal testing. The meadows will be colorful again and many insects and other animals will live on them because chemical pesticides will no longer be used. The waters are clean and the air is pure. Only really necessary items of clothing are bought and these are produced in an ecologically sustainable way and then disposed of in the same way. The same applies to furniture, crockery and all consumer goods. Electric cars are used in car sharing, all other cars are off the market. Public transport is closely timed so that hardly anyone still needs a car. Instead, there is a cheap ticket for all areas of public transport. Income disparities are low. The health and care systems are first-class and equally accessible to all. The educational institutions are in the best condition, the teachers are motivated and respected. And most importantly, there is peace and freedom everywhere in the world, so no more money needs to be spent on defense.
hallo
In 2040, I would like to see care for the elderly provided in multi-generational homes or many senior citizens' shared flats. Care is guaranteed and affordable for everyone, there are no more private health insurance companies, everyone pays into one pot and receives the same benefits. Environmental protection has been promoted and we have sufficient renewable energies, and nature is treated with respect. We have learned from the wars and there is peace and security again.
hallo
World peace, preserving democracy, protecting and improving the environment, stopping hunger in the world, eradicating xenophobia and banning Nazis of all kinds, saving rainforests and replanting them, researching natural disasters and preventing them in the future, creating equality for all, multi-culturalism in all countries of the world! Work for all! Usw.....
hallo
I would like the world to have arrived at a state of well-being for as many people as possible, with less and less pollution due to improved disposal technologies, less processed food on the tables, honest and accessible health care, higher wages, an end to totalitarianism and principles of solidarity among peoples.
Join #OurFutures now!

The future is shaped by our ideas and our actions today. Tell us about your visions of the future and help us create a futures narrative aimed at inspiring citizens, policy-makers and foresight experts alike!

Our-futures-banner-coloured_v3.jpg

The European Commission support does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained.

ERA_logo.jpg

We support the European Research Area aimed at creating a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology in the EU.

©OurFutures 2025, All rights reserved.

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
bottom of page