top of page

Später

Anonymous

March 19, 2025

Später

This image was generated with Dream Studio AI.

Oh yes, luckily everything turned out well again. Back then, my dear granddaughter, things looked bad in Germany and the world. The only really nice thing in 2025 was your birth. Oh, how happy we were. And we are still happy for you and your brother and your two cousins, who were born a little later. But you wanted to know what it was like back then. Back then, we had to vote at short notice in Germany, there were quarrels within the old government. And then the shock - because the elections didn't turn out as originally expected. There was a lot of trouble within the parties, one party was so divided that it disbanded. What a stroke of luck for humanity and especially for Germany. Yes, I know you shake your head at so much stupidity today, but people were actually dissatisfied and therefore backed the wrong horse. Back then, there was a war between Russia and Ukraine. Fortunately for all of us, a ceasefire was initially achieved with the help of Europe. The President of the United States at the time, who had no idea about politics, almost triggered the Third World War. But then Europe came together and formed a strong unit, which didn't impress the president very much. You shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but in this case it was the best thing that could have happened to the world, because this man suffered a heart attack and died before he could do any worse. At last something changed for the better in the world and in Germany, too, tax money was no longer wasted. I could tell you stories about the nonsensical things cities and municipalities did with tax money. But you wouldn't believe that. It's also too far-fetched. But now, look how nice the cities look, lots of greenery and little car traffic in the city centers. Isn't it also nice that everyone can borrow a very small e-car instead of an e-scooter to get around town? And it can even be folded up, like mini folding bikes used to be. But you don't even know them anymore. This tiny e-car doesn't go fast, so you can drive it without a license. The car industry, which was almost at the end of its tether back then, has changed tack. And look at these wheelchairs that follow patients around. That's a delight. Now even sick and old people can walk a few steps and then sit down again. And in your school everything is digital, no more 1000 copies, although you had books, but I still think it's great that the books have remained in paper form. It's also wonderful that the daily newspapers still exist. It's incredibly nice that you were taught at school how important it is to get information in a serious way. And it's great that social media is only available from the age of 18. And people now take a closer look and don't spread as much crap as they did 15 years ago. But the best thing of all is that wars and unrest in the world are a thing of the past. Instead of rattling sabres, people talk to each other, instead of just having their cell phones in front of their eyes (and that was actually the case. Some people couldn't be without their cell phones for an hour), people talk and discuss and play.

related stories

hallo
kerjaan.dea@gmail.com
I would like 2040 to be antidiscriminate for people above 26 years old to get job. I mean here 26 years old is unmet to apply jobs. I mean its limited only from 18 to 25 years old. And the rest people are jobless even 40s and 50s years old. The issues are a lot. But i can't believe it its difficult here also to do business or self employee. Because everyone also have no job, and less moneys, to buy our products very challenging. I wanna see this will improved and people are secure financialy, can pay taxes, more integrity, prosper. I can't describe the future would be. Clearly, the future i wish is full of blessings and prosperity.
hallo
The European Dream
After the severe economic shock of 2026–2030, triggered by rising US geopolitical instability, a stock market crash, and the first major wave of AI-driven job displacement, hope felt in short supply. Across Europe, people shared the same anxious question: How did we let this happen again? Memories of the 2008 financial crisis returned, along with the unsettling sense that the world was moving backwards. The years that followed were marked by chaos, anger and growing polarisation. But from that instability came a realisation: Europe’s future could not be built on division. It could only be built on deeper cooperation. As the world became more fragmented, Europeans began to understand a simple truth more clearly than ever before: divided, we are weak; united, we are strong. By the early 2030s, politics began to change. Citizens stopped rewarding outrage, blame and division, and started demanding compromise, seriousness and shared purpose. Political leaders responded. What followed was something few had thought possible: the European Union federalised, and a new kind of superpower emerged. Europe did not rise through conquest, aggression or domination. It rose through cohesion, partnership and collaboration. We cut through the bureaucracy that had long slowed progress, not to pursue growth at any cost, but to build growth that was sustainable, fair and widely shared. Europe became more agile, more innovative and more confident in shaping its own destiny. As tensions between China and the United States deepened, Europe became the world’s common ground: a reliable partner, a trusted trading bloc, and a defender of liberal democracy, human rights and international order. In an increasingly unstable world, it became one of the few places where peace, predictability and freedom still felt secure. Now, in 2040, the European experiment is thriving. Europe has become a global centre of innovation, economic dynamism and social stability. The European Dream is no longer an aspiration, but a reality: a society where people have the freedom to build a business, raise a family and live with dignity and peace of mind. We have reversed population decline. In 2039, the EU recorded its highest birth rate in decades. Cross-European relationships and identities have flourished, helped by expanded Erasmus programmes and greater mobility across the Union. More and more people now see themselves not as French, Portuguese or Dutch first, but as European first, and proudly rooted in their region second. Europe also chose a different path on technology. While other powers used AI to intensify competition, control and division, the EU focused on using it to improve lives, strengthen public services and support strategic resilience. As a united bloc, we achieved far greater independence in energy, production and food security. Rather than causing mass long-term unemployment, this technological transition helped unlock a new era of job creation, renewal and opportunity. And Europe did not turn inward. It remained open to the world and became its safest and most trusted economic partner. The euro became the world’s leading reserve currency. Investment flowed toward stability, credibility and the rule of law. The Union continued to grow, with the UK rejoining in 2032 and Ukraine becoming part of the European project as well. Looking back from 2040, it is clear that the crises of the late 2020s did not destroy the European idea. They forced it to evolve. At the moment when everything seemed to be falling apart, Europe discovered that the only way forward was together. The European Dream became not just a vision of survival, but a model of renewal for the world.
hallo
lubicaantalikova@gmail.com
The future would be colorful and colorful, the main topics in society would be respect, empathy and communication. The environment would not be filled with competition, beauty and perfection, but by emphasizing the individuality of the individual. From materialism to minimalism, people would be accepted as they are. The company would like to address the ecological crisis in a targeted manner.
hallo
Mon rêve pour les nations
I hope that nations will have understood that borders are indispensable for the survival of peoples, and must be re-established. I also hope that the European Commission will no longer be corrupt (we can dream...) or phagocytized by a corrupt woman and her minions. I hope that the national peoples will understand that it is up to them, and only them, to decide their future. Europe is just a continent, it is the countries that matter and must be sovereign at home. I would like, when I travel, to be able to do it safely, and discover the particularities of each country, without being in a standardized universe, otherwise, what interest is there in traveling? I would like countries to protect themselves and their nationals, and we should no longer be seen as the trash can of the world, where we can send all waste, whatever it may be. Let nature, animals, be respected and no longer exploited for the benefit of a minority that sees itself as an elite.
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!

OURfutures.png

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