The older I get the more I tend to believe that this will all end up with a world divided into about three fairly distinct sections: the West, possibly including Russia; the Middle East with parts of Africa; Eastern Asia and the Pacific.
Oil will be relegated to worthlessness - I'm sure it's already long been scientifically possible - and strict borders will exist, with routine deportations being the norm if people living in the 'wrong' zone start to play games.
In the end, it seems thnic/religious divides are proving to be too basic and powerful to permit true coexistence in any kind of workable harmony. The astonishing thing is that anyone was ever naive enough to think otherwise.
Rob C
That Utopian society we see on Star Trek seems really nice and I'd love to have that, but come on...we're human beings and unfortunately, human beings always seem to have a group that wants to take advantage of others and have power over them in some way. Think about it...why do we even need police or a military? If people would just behave themselves and do the right thing, there would never be a need for guns and armies. The only reason I support a strong military right now is because I know for a fact other people would try to enforce their religious or political beliefs on me/us if we didn't have a way to defend ourselves and our freedom to live as we wish. Everyone deserves to live in peace and live the lifestyle they enjoy (as long as it's not oppressing other people).
Personally, I think it's time to get VERY serious about enforcing civility and rule or law. I'm not talking about another episode of Star Trek or Stargate SG-1 where the crew comes across what seems like a great society but then they realize the regime in charge is ruthlessly oppressive and disallows any dissent. No, I'm talking about putting an end to violence completely and an end to individuals becoming dictators and forcing their views and lifestyle on others.
What I'd rather see is an absolute intolerance of violence and other groups forcing their lifestyle/religion on other people. Basically, we all get to live in peace AND live as we desire to live...and if someone comes along and wants to ruin it for the rest of us because they're intolerant of opposing views or just plain violent, then that person will disappear from society. Forced peace and tranquility? I don't know what you'd call it, but I think it would be fair and no one would have the right to oppress anyone else or ruin someone else's life. My view may seem a little harsh, but it's fair and the only people I can see that would be opposed to it is those that would want to force their lifestyle or religion on others. Why would anyone be opposed to being able to live as you wish and never having to be afraid of violence (rape, murder, assault, etc).
Anyway, we're human so I don't see an end to the nonsense that's going on every day in our communities around the world.