Future Prediction Thread

Eli · April 24, 2003, 14:37

This is the thread for all us intelligent debaters who obviously know everything about the future of important events like wars, international relations and the success of Microsoft products to post those predictions and check if they stand the test of time.

You can also post predictions of other posters with the goal of embarrasing them when their obviously flawed world view is proven to be wrong.

I'll post my thoughts a bit later.

SlowwHand · April 24, 2003, 14:42

Che is ultimately going to have to admit that forming this organization was a dipshit move on his part.

http://www.humanshields.org/

Dauphin · April 24, 2003, 14:42

This thread will be filled with many of what can only be described as crackpot theories.

PLATO · April 24, 2003, 14:43

Quote:

Originally posted by Eli
You can also post predictions of other posters with the goal of embarrasing them when their obviously flawed world view is proven to be wrong.

I'll post my thoughts a bit later.

red_jon · April 24, 2003, 15:13

2005-2010 - Paper-thin animated posters and pictures on sale, though only used by the richer at first, as production costs become cheaper they become more widespead. Posters and pictures no longer need to be taken down to be changed.
The line between entertainment and art/deco is merged as posters and pictures double as television sets.
Similar technology is eventually used in books and newspapers.

Just an interesting thought.

GePap · April 24, 2003, 15:24

Well, lets give it a try:

In the ME: the Palestinians will aprove Abu Mazen's cabinet, which then forces the US to release the Road Map. The Israelis will demand that several changes be made, so that an end to violnce comes before any Isaraeli action. The Palestinians will complain, and the extremist groups will state that Israel is not acting in faith, and that before violence ends, concurrent steps must be taken. By the end of this year, a slightly less dangerous atmosphere will reign, with some Palestian groups agreeing to some sort of ceasefire while Sharon's government will have been forced by the US to end some minor outposts created since the new round of violence, though "natural growth" will not have been halted, and there will have been a huge stink in the right in Israel for the dismantling of any outposts.

In Iraq: the oppositions groups will still be deadlocked about the form of the new government by mid-summer. THe US will begin to pull out while re-building efforts will be behind schedule and snipping in the UN will continue. Pro-US groups will fance danger sicne they will be called stooges of the occupier. But by this point, US mdeia will only report on Iraq every other day, and mainly human interest pieces.

With Iran and Syria: more talk, no actions. The US will continue to make a stink as Iraqn continues to meddle in Iraq.

NK: most hazy. THe North Koreans will demand ironclad guarantess of security that the US will not be willing to give. 60-40% chance that at some point current round of talks breaks down and NK escaaltes yet again.

South Asia and Africa: will continue as they are, no major actions. At worst, civil violence in Nigeria over the elections.

OneFootInTheGrave · April 24, 2003, 15:34

Buffy will have Spikes baby

Arrian · April 24, 2003, 15:36

The Yankees will win 105 games, but get knocked out of the playoffs (ALCS, I figure) because of tired starters & shoddy relief pitching.

-Arrian

OneFootInTheGrave · April 24, 2003, 15:37

La Lakers will win again this year and so will AC Milan

GePap · April 24, 2003, 16:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Arrian
The Yankees will win 105 games, but get knocked out of the playoffs (ALCS, I figure) because of tired starters & shoddy relief pitching.

-Arrian

reasonable predictions Arrian, not insane fantasies (or nightmares).

FrustratedPoet · April 24, 2003, 16:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Arrian
The Yankees will win 105 games, but get knocked out of the playoffs (ALCS, I figure) because of tired starters & shoddy relief pitching.

-Arrian

Who d'you think you are? The A's?

Arrian · April 24, 2003, 16:56

Well, they sure are gonna win a shitload of games this year. But tell me, do you trust that 'pen?

Mariano, yeah, when he's healthy. Karsay? Even when healthy I'm not sure of him. Hammond is ok... but last year had to have been a fluke. Acevedo looks pretty good, and should be the setup guy when Mariano gets back. Osuna's hurt (and often is) but seems ok, not great. Choate has trouble finding the plate. Anderson is hittable as all hell.

Still, if I was convinced that Mo would come back & be healthy all year & into the playoffs, I'd feel better.

-Arrian

Drake Tungsten · April 24, 2003, 17:00

I predict that Tariq Aziz will be captured in the near future.

GePap · April 24, 2003, 17:01

They have 140 odd games to go and recover. Besides, if the offense remains as is, and the starting pitching and defense stay as they are, the Yanks could afford to miss some good closers.

FrustratedPoet · April 24, 2003, 17:02

It could be worse, you could have the Red Sox 'pen.

Closer-by-committee? Give me a f**king break ....

I can't see a Yankees World Series this year. The A's are my pick at the moment, although they need their hitters to perfom. The Giants look good for the NL.

The Cubbies have started decently, but there's no point in even talking about them getting to the Series.

Drake Tungsten · April 24, 2003, 17:03

Also, the Royals will win the pennant. One of the benefits of playing in the worst division in baseball.

Arrian · April 24, 2003, 17:06

The offense cannot stay as it is. There's just no way it can be that good all season long. It will most likely be the best offense in baseball, but this has been ridiculous. At some point they will slow down a bit.

The starters have also been hot. IIRC, they have gotten only one bad start: Pettite, in the game (vs. Toronto?) where he twisted his ankle. That too cannot hold up. They're good, but they're not THAT good. Plus, Clemens will do his yearly stint on the DL with a groin pull. What if that happened during the playoffs instead of mid-year?

Hey, they've been great - a pleasure to watch - but a this hot streak is covering some holes. The bullpen is crucial to playoff success. If last year's loss to the Angels didn't illustrate that clearly enough, I dunno what could.

-Arrian

GePap · April 24, 2003, 17:08

I love it how immence success now could mean eventual doom. I think the bullpen will recover. they have months before the off-season. It is april, damn it! They have until september to get well.

Arrian · April 24, 2003, 17:09

FP - point noted re: the Red Sox 'pen. Still, I think the concept of the committee has merit... it's just that you need the pitchers to perform. Mendoza got shelled, which means 1 of 3 things:

1) hiding an injury
2) still on Steinbrenner's payroll
3) just going through a rough patch, like many pitchers do... it just happened to be in April.

I'll go with #3 (though I enjoy taunting Sox fans with #2).

The As could do it... but how good is their bullpen? They've got the starters. They may have the offense (once Tejada gets going). But can they close 'em out?

-Arrian

Arrian · April 24, 2003, 17:11

GePap,

It's intended to be a worst-case sort of prediction. But I feel justified in my worries about the pen. Once I see them pull their **** together, I'll be more confident.

-Arrian

GePap · April 24, 2003, 17:12

The Yanks made the World Series with less in 1996,99, 2000, 2001, and in 98 they won 114 and won it all as well. They have a great team this year, far better than last year's, even if their offense winds down.

We all know the yanks have the money to get relief pitching in mid-season.

Drake Tungsten · April 24, 2003, 17:18

Quote:

FP - point noted re: the Red Sox 'pen. Still, I think the concept of the committee has merit... it's just that you need the pitchers to perform. Mendoza got shelled, which means 1 of 3 things:

1) hiding an injury
2) still on Steinbrenner's payroll
3) just going through a rough patch, like many pitchers do... it just happened to be in April.

I'll go with #3 (though I enjoy taunting Sox fans with #2).

The As could do it... but how good is their bullpen? They've got the starters. They may have the offense (once Tejada gets going). But can they close 'em out?

*thinks of Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye and Carlos Beltran all in the same outfield*

God I hate the Bosox and the A's.

VJ · April 24, 2003, 17:25

To make it more clear:

Amazing! You guessed it!

Arrian · April 24, 2003, 17:29

Drake,

You're a Royals fan, huh? Don't hate the As & Red Sox. Hate the Royals ownership & management. The As get it done with a shoestring budget just like the Royals.

Hey, at least they're winning now, right?

-Arrian

p.s. Ever read Rob Neyer's pieces on ESPN? There's a cynical Royals fan...

Eli · April 24, 2003, 17:31

Of all things this thread could become, it became a Baseball thread (or is it Football? all your silly games sound the same).

Drake Tungsten · April 24, 2003, 17:33

Quote:

You were correct.

GePap · April 24, 2003, 17:35

Yeah, looks like you were correct. Demand a price from Eli, and a good one too.

Drake Tungsten · April 24, 2003, 17:35

Quote:

Hate the Royals ownership & management.

I've got that covered.

Quote:

There's a cynical Royals fan...

We're all like that.

Starchild · April 24, 2003, 18:19

Well, in the long run, I plan to be sipping a pina colada on the farside of Europa, watching the ever expanding sun devour the Earth in fire and destruction.

This is, of course, several billion years in the future. Everyone else, of course, will be dead.

I, of course, will still be fabulous.

red_jon · April 24, 2003, 18:29

Unfortunately Starchild, since your mind will have had to have been transferred into that of an otter (for utterly uneccessary and hilarious reasons we won't go into now) you will clumsily drop your cocktail and fatally cut your throat desperately trying to lick up the delicious alcoholness.