From Just an Average Dude
In the year 1555, I think it was a warm, sunny, Thursday, Nostradamus predicted that in the year 2024 we will see global strife, royal turmoil, and humanitarian disaster. Okay, those seem like safe bets. I’m no Nostradamus and I can’t wax poetic in quatrains. Well, I could actually, and have, but I will leave that to my Renaissance friend. I’m just an average dude. Like most, I have made resolutions before, but I have never made predictions, other than the casual guess at the outcome of sports events. Even then, I am usually wrong. But today, I thought I would take a stab at my top ten predictions and resolutions for 2024. Even if I just get one prediction right, I can boast about it afterwards and start to brand my own reputation as a seer, prophet, clairvoyant, or some other cool word.
Predictions
1. Generative AI. We can all guess that something will happen in this field as it continues to emerge. My prediction is that ChatGPT will face a massive lawsuit and that Congress will debate the impact to copyright laws. Also, at least one outcome of AI will gain national attention with many claiming they did not see that problem coming. Okay, that’s 3, but let’s count it as 1.
2. Hybrid Schedules. In COVID telework flourished. Then bosses and the government started bringing everyone back. In 2024, the pendulum will swing back again with a new increase in hybrid schedules, more telework, and shorter work weeks. Geez, 3 in 1 again. I can’t help it.
3. X/Previously Twitter. This social media platform will dissolve. Another social media platform that is not even being discussed in 2023 will skyrocket. At least that is only 2 in 1.
4. Reality Show. Based on the success of cooking, fashion, and home remodeling reality shows, there will be a new show called Small Business Market. Each episode will include a rotating guest CEO of a mid-size company, and a regular cast of a financial expert, technology expert, and marketing expert that will help the small business of the week to find a path to greater profits and success. This one is oddly specific. Hmmm.
5. Movies. They will come back big. The writers are back. The actors are back. New attendance records will be set. Maybe sound engineers will go on strike.
6. Ireland. The British will relinquish rule over Northern Island. All of the Irish counties will unite as one Irish Republic. There won’t be much news about it, though, outside of Ireland. But I will toast a pint of Guiness.
7. Paris Olympic Games. There will be unrest that appear to threaten the games, but it will end in more unity than division. One of the commentators will say as much during the closing ceremonies.
8. U.S. Presidential Election. It won’t be either Biden or Trump coming out on top in November. Don’t hate the player; hate the game.
9. Gaming. Gaming systems will noticeably blur the lines between the physical and the virtual. It will result in big impacts on Wall Street, but a sizable number of people and politicians will push back on moral, ethical, and safety issues.
10. Healthy Food. Farm to Table and locally sourced food options will soar. Not just in the healthy community, but even the non-foodies will start to feel safer knowing where their food came from.
Resolutions
These are my resolutions. Not tied to the predictions. Feel free to borrow and resolve any yourself. I tried to stay away from saving money, losing weight, and getting fit. I have failed enough at those. Most of mine are a bit intangible, but I have at least one materialistic resolution. After all, I’m just an average dude.
1. Write. I think I have found my happy place since I retired. I wrote two books, one poetry and one non-fiction. I write a couple of editorials a week. I keep writing poetry. I even wrote two short stories. Maybe I will try to write a novel. It sounds so daunting. I may do some freelance writing. But I resolve to stay at the keyboard.
2. Kindness. I talk about this often, but always with the humility that I struggle to be as kind as I want to be. I am better than I was but not as kind as I want to become.
3. Gratitude. I am better at this one, but there is still room for growth. I want to express out loud my gratitude to others more often. They should know. By the way, this morning the 100th person subscribed to this free Substack. Thank you to all of you who take the time to subscribe and read.
4. Live in the present. I’m on this journey. I need to remind myself how pleasant it is in the present. I have pretty much succeeded in not worrying about the past. But that future is a rascal. I want to surrender to the river.
5. Read. If I read more, my writing will improve. And I always love it when I am deep in a book. My problem has been prioritizing other things. Reading those first few pages is the hurdle. After that, I am locked in. Reading is moving up the list.
6. Join a club. Might be Chess, Dominoes, Backgammon, Spades, Poker, Crafts. I am less concerned about the subject and more focused on meeting new people and having a thing. Just not Fight Club. I don’t like the first rule.
7. Say “no” more often (politely). This is a little tough to tackle because it isn’t like I say “yes” a bunch. It’s more that I adapt to others around me like a chameleon. If it’s not for me, I could spare saying “no” a few more times. One example is my girls. I fear spoiling them.
8. Leave the phone behind. I use taking pictures as an excuse, and that is my main use. But not everything has to be captured. I’m going to make a point to disinvite my phone on a good portion of my outings. I don’t think his feelings will be hurt.
9. Buy an 80-inch TV. In case I was sounding all noble and ostentatious so far, I actually really want this, but will only let myself get it after I have earned the money through additional income to retirement and social security. I try not to fall into common trite male roles. We men all love big TVs and on this one, I am the common man. Prices are going down. I measured the wall. Gosh darn it, I just want it.
10. Live life on my terms. I started this motto last April when I retired from my job. It deserves a full year. I have done a good job on retirement work I want to do, but I want to do more activities and outdoors stuff. I also want to be a more confident dad of teenage girls.
I got this. I hope you do as well. May you all have a happy 2024. May your dreams come true and may kindness shine upon you. Oh, and please tell all your friends when one of my predictions comes through.
PS. I’m not sure “Sagacious” was the right word for the title but is sounded kind of cool and provocative. I picture someone reading the title and thinking, maybe even subconsciously, “I’m tired of reading stupid predictions, but if this list is sagacious, then, gee, I should check it out.”
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Stoneking Strategic Communications (SSC) 