Really, we don’t brag a lot here.

But the article we wrote back in February happened to have a correct prediction in comparing the oncoming recession to the Great Depression.

Even President Bush has declared that our “entire economy is in danger” during his pep talk today.

I’m beginning to see a trend here.

As you can see by this graph, my predicting skills do not apply to staff contests.

In all seriousness, we (The Nearby Future staff) suggest that you start planning, putting away some of your income for the inevitable economic disaster, and buy an electric car.

People, things are going to get expensive. Fast. Everything depends on oil- food and other products all need to be transported, right? And until we get going on this renewable energy thing, prices are going to keep going up.

Don’t believe us? May I remind you of our two accurate predictions so far? And that stylish graph?

Point made.

-Rika

The opening ceremony of the Olympics was incredible- the visual effects and the atmosphere created was truly memorable and has definitely earned a place in history.

But all technological wonders of this quickly advancing countries, I noticed many other things, too. Here are some of my observations:

• It was spectacular, but I can’t help but being struck by all that waste! The money filtered into building the huge LCD screens, the stadium and all of the costumes could have been used for so much better causes!
• The announcers sounded very scripted, and one has to wonder if a government had a say in what they said.
• It’s ironic how they talk about being ‘one’ with nature as the smoke from the fireworks spiral up into the night sky to continue to pollute our world.

But overall, it’s good to see China trying to (or seeming to try, at least) to forget ethnic differences and focus on the Olympic Games. And excessive, non-environmentally friendly firework use.

~Rika

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially banned Iraq competitors in the 2oo8 Beijing Olympics. The reason Iraq athletes are not able to compete in the 2008 Olympics is because of government interference in sports. Iraq’s government system had began removing officials and replacing them with people the IOC was not familiar with. Iraq was planning on sending seven athletes and those places will now be filled by other countries because of Iraq’s suspension from the committee.

Some believe that it is unfair to not allow all the deserving athletes who trained so hard to get to the Olympics to compete, others think they can wait until the 2012 Olympics.

Iraqi athlete (sprinter) Dana Hussain said “In this horrible situation who can say I’ll even be alive in 2012″. What do you think of the situation? Do have a solution? Let us know below on any thoughts that you have the Iraq athletes not being able to compete.

Kamki says: I think that it’s unfair that the Iraqi athletes can’t compete. However I don’t really know what could be done instead, because you can’t have governments interfering with Olympic committees. You need to make it clear that it’s unacceptable without “punishing” athletes. Well why not just let them compete? We still need to have some type of rule and order within the committees. So it’s just kinda of a lose-lose situation. I do feel bad for the athletes, but really what else can you do?

What do you think that the IOC will do about future conflicts like this? Will they use the same plan that they did this time or will they find new solutions?

News stations, newspapers, talk shows, daily conversation- in almost every aspect of our lives, doubt seems to be sinking in even more so that global warming, raising oil prices, and many other conflicts will not be solved as cleanly as we all had hoped.

But no, it’s not time to break out singing “It’s the End of the Word as We Know It” because, contrary to spreading belief, it’s not the end of the world, and it won’t be anytime soon.

No, I’m not some crazy optimist who ignores the facts. For any of those who have actually been reading my morbid articles on environmental issues and human rights, you can see that I’m not one to stubbornly oppose facts or be so optimistic that it’s blinding, unlike some people I can think of. (Cough cough politicians)

But you think that everything that we’ve been through, it just can’t end in 2012. Why? The answer should be obvious. How far has the human race really come? (The invention of the ipod aside) How much as really changed? Is there still war? Yes. Is there an increase in peace? Hardly. Does our world even slightly resemble the comforting It’s a Small World ride in Disney land with catchy, brainwashing music and cute dolls playing the ukulele, everyone in the world sharing postcards and holding hands? Not even close.

You’re probably wondering what my harsh negativity has to do with anything at all, but it has a big part. How could the world end when animals are treated worse than they have ever been, some countries still don’t even have the basic, most necessary human rights, a world that is so caught up in materialistic things, come to an end now, without resolutions?

I believe in finished endings. I’m a writer; a sensible, conclusive ending is a condolence to whatever tragedy happened. That’s why I like happy endings. They’re more of a better send off, an ending that makes sense, that prepares for whatever happens in the next book. If the world does really have a creator, (which I do believe it does) than I don’t think they would just send it into oblivion without some sort of parting gift, or without everyone realizing that- hey!- we’ve messed up again and again, so many mistakes being repeated like a broken record player.

This isn’t supposed to defer you in any way to stop trying to change the world. Who knows? Maybe if us humans actually learn that killing and violence is a bad thing, our world will not end for thousands and thousands of years to come!

But until we pull out those white earbuds out of our ears and stop trying to block out that pathetic sound of people in need, children hungry, sick and dying, and those poor tortured animals keening in the night, then we will go nowhere.

Trust me on this. It doesn’t take a mind reader that we’re ready for some change, although it’s no change that a president can bring. It’s one that we instill on ourselves. So start humming a happier tune, and start making a difference. No ukuleles, please, those things give me headaches.

-Rika