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
Grüne Utopie
I would like there to be no more borders, but for everyone to work together, regardless of their origin, skin color, gender or sexuality. Everyone should have the same opportunities and not be judged according to the situation they were born into. There should be no more arms industry, so that no weapons can be produced, and all combat-ready equipment must be disposed of or disarmed and repurposed. Humanity must no longer wage wars and must take better care of itself and the world. More green spaces must be created again and the food supply must be organized in such a way that there are no longer such high losses and everything is distributed fairly.
hallo
Uus haridusajastu
One major change would be in the education system. Up to the sixth form, teaching would be as usual, except that a pupil would be assigned a personal teacher, specially trained for young children and young people, who would explain difficult subjects to them if necessary. From grade 6 onwards, each pupil, taking into account his future plans and personal interests, would draw up his own personal timetable, with optional subjects, and, if necessary, professional help and support in drawing it up. This would give him or her a better preparation for studying the desired profession. The fact that the student draws up his/her own timetable would give him/her more motivation to learn. Some classes or courses could be online, giving the possibility of a flexible timetable. Once a student reaches upper secondary level, he or she would have the choice between a regular programme of classes, with electives and a flexible timetable, or an intensive programme over one year. This would give the opportunity for inquisitive students, including those who go on to university, to enter the labour market earlier, for example medical students. Schools and classes would be equipped according to the specific needs of age groups. These are just some of the changes that would take place in the education system.
hallo
Naturfreund
For me, social, communal values were always paramount. Material things were only there to provide the necessities of life. Healthy, simple food, preferably home-cooked, leads to a happy life. The food industry is taking the piss out of us just to secure its profits. It's not about people. All the advertising is falsified. Cooperation on a modest basis must be strengthened again. The focus must be more on people. Children must be taught this in their education.
hallo
Retour sur la logique des choses
I wake up one morning in the new year, 2040. Like any other morning, I'm getting ready for an ordinary day. Today, it's safe to walk the streets. Delinquency shaves the walls, since repression is harsh but fair, a little like in the Middle Ages, but effective (caning, reopening of prisons). Controlled immigration and the deportation of delinquents have contributed to all this. Men have realized that women can do as well as, if not better than, them. That said, parity and quotas are a thing of the past - we live in a world of meritocracy. Women are breathing a sigh of relief, and rapists and sex offenders are being severely punished. They have also understood that if they want to please, they have to accept being looked at, admired and approached by other people of all genders. In fact, there are now only 2, masculine or feminine. Non-binary people, those who feel like a flowerpot every 4 mornings..., are followed up for shrink failure. Society has become fairer, and freeloaders no longer exist. People who live on assistance without ever working are no longer entitled to it. All work deserves a salary, so no work = no income or benefits. Social security is on the mend, since we've stopped treating all the world's misery. Young people are better educated, thanks to ever more innovative new technologies, but above all thanks to a culture of effort and hard work. But above all, we've stopped doing anything that didn't make sense. For example, to import foreign products, they have to meet the same production standards. This encourages "local consumption", reduces carbon impact, and reinvigorates agriculture. Repair shops are to be found just about everywhere: no more systematic replacement, today we repair, just like in my youth. Containers are being reused, thanks to the return of the glass bottle deposit scheme. Tourism has taken a knock, which seems normal to me, but it came late. If you want to preserve places, you have to protect them from man. Apart from that, and it's not bad, I'm happy to have a quality of life like this, better purchasing power, better health, security, justice, well thought-out decisions but above all logic. So, although this future makes me dream, I'm not going to be impatient to get there because I'll be 15 years older :-/
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