David Brin

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American scientist, world-known sci-fi author, speaker and technical consultant. His novel The Postman was adapted as a feature film and starred Kevin Costner in 1997.

predictions

12

2050 Rabat

In 2030, all phosphate reserves used for agricultural fertilization in the world are running out. The phosphate crisis is worse than the oil crises of the 20th century. Iraq and Algeria, large players in the phosphate market, drastically reduce their mining in an attempt to control prices. The

# city # government # nature # space

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8

2050 Rabat

Cute but old-fashioned wind turbines are replaced by more advanced wind generators. These towers are shaped like huge cyclone funnels. They reach higher than the clouds and can use the strong winds present at great heights. The air inside the tower is accelerated by pressure differences, and this increases

# energy # nature # society

37

2

2050 Rabat

Moroccans are also very particular when it comes to traditions in clothing. But even if the appearance of traditional clothing items remains the same, their qualities change drastically, thanks to technology. For example, the djellaba, a traditional Berber robe, is still long, loose, and hooded, and

# beauty # clothing # threats

39

0

2050 Rabat

By early 2050, Rabat Column is the tallest skyscraper in the world. It can be seen from Tangiers to Gibraltar. Its unusual height inspired engineers to forgo a typical elevator system for a vertical high-speed monorail along the exterior of the building, connecting with a public transportation network

# construction # energy # entertainment

19

3

2050 Rabat

Eastern culture and traditional Muslim architecture remain popular in Morocco. A variety of arches — round or with sharp tops, twisting floral and complex geometric ornaments, unusually bright tiles —decorate modern residential buildings and business centers. Dozens of modern skyscrapers

# city # construction

38

2

2050 Rabat

The first underwater city is built near Rabat (in the Atlantic Ocean) in 2040. The city is named after Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The majority of the city’s population is scientists and engineers. They have two important goals. The first is to find a way out of the phosphate crisis by exploring underwater

# city # construction # energy # society

56

13

2050 Rabat

Reserves of fresh water have increased by so much that urbanists have finally decided to use this opportunity to turn Moroccan cities into desert oases. The “Urban Garden” program has been launched at the state level: All architects are required to include in their projects green

# city # nature

17

2

2050 Rabat

To work at great depths, deep-sea divers use pressure suits with built-in biomechanical exoskeletons. A durable carcass made of nanomaterials can protect individuals from high pressure. It also helps them feel stronger by augmenting their movements. The suit maintains a stable body temperature, compensating

# biotech # work

98

3

2050 Rabat

Underwater power stations use geothermal energy. Water penetrates into tectonic faults and heats up to high temperatures using the Earth’s natural heat. Underwater geysers are formed this way, as well as hot geothermal lakes and currents. Their warmth is used for warming houses and buildings and

# energy # nature

94

3

2050 Rabat

By 2040, the international community has concluded that using nonrenewable resources is irrational. The first kind of asteroid to be mined was of the carbonaceous variety, to get water that can keep astronauts alive, or be used to create rocket fuel. Later, explorers prospected dozens of other varieties

# space

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5

2050 Rabat

Some designs made for space can descend to Earth. In 2040, a suit first created to support astronauts in zero-G was adapted for medical conditions on the ground. In addition to pressure and atmosphere, the suit uses electric current impulses to contract individual muscles, or muscle groups, according

# gadgets # human # sport

69

7

2050 Rabat

Morocco’s location close to the Equator made it possible to construct a compact spaceport not far from Marrakesh. It is used mostly to transport astronauts and cargo to asteroids. Civil flights also depart from the orbit; there is always entertainment there, as well as excursions, study, and exploration

# entertainment # space # transport

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