Most of America is already besotted with 2010. This is mostly because 2010 is not 2009, which seems to have generated the sort of hatred normally reserved for the Bush family and Octomom. According to a recent AP-GfK poll, three-fourths of Americans believe 2009 was a bad year, and 42% believe it was "very bad", but a remarkable 82% of Americans are optimistic about 2010. I am generally optimistic, but I do not share the hope of my fellow Americans – at least, not on the political front.
Congress still seems bent on spending money we do not have on projects that it has not thought through. It is still, in essence, trying to pass an exam without bothering to read the material or even, in some cases, to show up for class. I can say from experience that this is a good way to fail. I see very little to indicate that any governmental figure has a plan that will make the lot of the American people any better.
But there is good news. 2010 is set to be an interesting year on the technological front.The gaming world, in particular, is in for some real treats. Game makers are coming up with some brilliant ways of making virtual worlds more real. The most exciting development that I've seen so far is called Natal. It blends the real world and virtual worlds in a way that I had not thought possible. A demo of that can be found here:
Lionhead studios, creators of the popular Fable series, will reportedly, be using Natal to immerse users into the world of Fable III. Playing Fable II is like playing a Lord of the Rings movie. Fable III will almost certainly be even more realistic. With Natal support, it will be like nothing the gaming world has ever seen. It is scheduled to be released this year.
So, while we may be headed for disaster economically, socially and politically, at least we may have some pretty incredible virtual escapes. 2010, I both dread you and welcome you.
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