He was one of the smartest people to ever live. Maybe the smartest alive at his time. Thirty-five years ago, the late Isaac Asimov was asked by the famous English-language newspaper in Malaysia, The Star, to write his prediction of what the world would be like 35 years later in 2019.
So he did. It would be after the work of another—three decades and a half after George Orwell’s famous 1984.
“If the United States and the Soviet Union flail away at each other at any time between now and 2019, there is absolutely no use to discussing what life will be like in that year. Too few of us, or of our children and grand· children, will be alive then for there to be any point in describing the precise condition of global misery at that time. Let us, therefore, assume there will be no nuclear war — not necessarily a safe assumption — and carry on from there.” (Originally published Dec. 31, 1983, you can read the full article here.)
The content of this blog is taken from Charles’ weekly audio commentary. Click play on the video above to listen.
That’s how he began. He moved on to computerization. He envisioned not only growing use by governments and industry, it would make itself comfortable in our homes. How true that prediction became. He also foresaw robotic computers starting to make their way into our homes … society would be impossible without smaller and more nimble machines.
I can’t believe it, but Asimov foretold that computers would start the process of “destroying our minds.” A vast change in education would be required and you can answer whether that has come true for yourself. He said waste and pollution would become more apparent. More unbearable. The only thing Isaac Asimov predicted that hasn’t come true is he thought we would already be mining the moon. That may still be to come.
So, as we begin 2019, my prediction is that more people will continue to miss seeing Jesus. Yes, this is very different than the contents of Asimov’s predictions, but it’s something that weighs heavily on my heart. Because it doesn’t have to be this way. Our natural sight is plagued by blindness to the light offered to us in Christ. In this new year, we need to access spiritual light.
Ask for his grace and find inner peace, peace with each other and peace to see Christ in ourselves. Come to each of us, Jesus, in this new year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As the leader of the Haven Ministries, Charles Morris is always thinking of ways to lead Christians and non-Christians to Christ—hence the familiar slogan, “Telling the great story … it’s all about Jesus.” A former secular journalist, Charles has worked for United Press International, and as a press secretary for two former U.S. senators. He and his wife, Janet, have authored several books, including Missing Jesus. Charles’ latest book is Fleeing ISIS, Finding Jesus: The Real Story of God At Work.