Life In 2050: 6 Areas Of Near Zero Costs

Technology is going to radically alter things in the next 30 years. One of the biggest changes is the push towards zero cost in many areas.

In this article, we fill mention 6 different areas where we will see costs heading much lower and approach zero marginal costs.

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Computation

This is nothing new. Most people are familiar with Moore's Law and how that affected computing over the last 60 years. Observed by Gordan Moore of Intel, it has basically held that processors saw a doubling of power every 18-24 months.

In addition to move powerful semiconductors, we have seen then get smaller.

This is a trend that will continue. While some believe that Moore's Law could be ending, we will still realize similar benefits as architecture improvements take place as well as specialized AI and quantum chips.

We are seeing the price drop like a rock as it is and by 2050, the cost of computation will be almost nothing.

Energy

The Internet of Energy is being constructed. Much like the Internet connected computer nodes, the Internet of Energy will connect energy nodes. This will build energy networks which will decentralize energy production.

Solar panels and wind costs are dropping rapidly. The 2010s saw a 90% drop in the cost of solar. We will see similar progress from this point over the next few decades.

At the same time, the cost of batteries are following a similar path. This is vital for energy since it has to be stored somewhere.

At the same time, there is progress being made with fusion and geothermal. Each of these could provide near zero cost energy in abundant quantities.

Information

We already saw massive progress in this area due to the Internet. Over the past 30 years we saw an enormous jump in the amount of information available.

However, as they say, we haven't seen anything yet. What is going to take place over the next few decades will usurp what happened in the past.

The world is moving to real time, instantaneous data. We are producing more data with each passing year. However, the next step is to develop a network of networks. This means having the ability to scan all information/data in real time across all networks. Presently, things are fragmented.

Communications

Here again, we already saw a lot of progress. No longer do we pay for long distance changes from our phone carrier.

Our networks also advanced greatly since the earliest days of wireless. We now are seeing the 5th generation rolling out. Some are starting to work on the next phase, to be released before the end of this decade.

As we near 2050, we might be looking at 8G. That will most likely deliver communications at much greater speeds than today, in greater quantities, for near zero cost. This is another area where the ideas of what is coming is probably beyond our comprehension.

Nevertheless, the speeds will guarantee that we can transmit much larger files in near the same time (or quicker) than today.

Water

We are already seeing water shortages which is a shame considering the world is 3/4 covered with water.

Companies have already bought the rights to water supplies, upsetting people who are dependent upon the water for survival.

This problem is solved with the energy solution. With near free energy, water desalination becomes very inexpensive. The cost per gallon drops to near nothing.

Since salt water is abundant, this will provide billions with clean, inexpensive drinking water.

Transportation

Autonomous vehicles will change everything. How long this will take is still uncertain. What we do know is that by 2050, autonomous vehicles will be the norm. In fact, it is entirely possible that, by that date, driving by humans is banned except in certain areas where it is more of a sport.

These vehicles will have an impact upon the driving industry. Since labor is still a large part of the commercial cost per mile, autonomous vehicles will reduce this substantially. When we couple this with near zero energy costs, we can see how things will be very inexpensive.

Of course, transportation costs impact a lot of different areas. For example, a lot of the cost of food is the transportation cost to get it from production/farm to the store.

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How will all this change the world? We can see, in many ways, how this can be dystopian. However, there is also the hope that humanity is further enhanced by the technological breakthroughs that we will witness over the next 30 years.

One benefit is that it will be a lot less expensive to live. All of these innovations will allow us to enjoy more for less money. This is a trend we saw with computation and digitization. Now we will see it advance to others areas of life.

We also can see how many existing companies, let alone progressions, will be completely upended. Again, this is nothing new as Kodak and Blockbuster were large Fortune 500 companies at one time. Now, they are basically gone.

These are 6 areas which will be near zero costs by 2050. What will really make life different is the fact that these will blend into other areas of life.

Consider that potential impact overall for a few moments. It truly does become mindblowing.


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Bang, I did it again... I just rehived your post!
Week 44 of my contest just started...you can now check the winners of the previous week!
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That's an interesting point of view on water!

It totally makes sense when you pair it with the notion of very cheap energy, but it's the exact opposite of what people have been saying for years.

I guess they didn't factor in the impact of technology, which is a common mistake.

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What people have been saying for years tends to be wrong most often. Conventional wisdom, in hindsight, if often greater off the mark. With technology, you are right, it is something that few take into consideration.

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That if we don't count with the many things that can ruin everything, sure technology has an exponential development but so does the damage we're causing to the planet, will be a race to evolve our technology enough to provide us clean energy and new CO2 trapping systems.

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Or perhaps the negative bias is constantly promoted.

After all, when have the climate alarmists been right about anything? Didnt they claim that 2020 would be the last year of snow?

It seems they missed that one.

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I haven't heard that claim about the last snow year to tell the truth, what I've heard is the scientists alarm about more extreme climate events would increase its frecuency and that's precisely what we're seeing in Texas for example.

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Solar costs are definitely down .. I'm getting ready to install a 48v system that is costing me under 5K

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Yeah and in another 5 years, they will be down even more with greater power. Just dont expect too much energy when a blizzard hits. People are finding out renewable energy in the middle of winter might not be the best idea.

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Very true ... all of it but the blizzard part.. today's solar panels don't need very much actual sun to charge.. and the batteries to store the energy in keep getting better.. even with all the recent snow I've not had any problems with electric since I added the extra batteries...of course being prepared for said blizzard goes a long way.

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Texas certainly wasnt prepared for the snow and cold.

They took to heating up their wind turbines with a helicopter.

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very interesting to know where we are and where we are going.
I am quite optimistic about what will come, I think that all the previous development, although great, converges and will become exponential in subsequent decades since this disruptive stage in which we find ourselves, technology is not an option, it is a necessity to facilitate everyone's life

Energy :
solar wind wave energy etc. It will be the most demanded, there is a hunger for friendship with the environment.
The new generation z dreams their houses with clean energy.
In the stock market we are seeing this sector rise, amid speculation and the need for this type of energy.

Information :
Artificial intelligence will be able to move all this information, associate it and obtain results instantly, and that is when the data speed (latency) driven by 5g will play a crucial role. or the 8g in the future as you mention.

Communications: In the following decades we will see incredible advances, we may not even use a device as such to communicate. (companies like neuralink give me expectations towards an incredible future)

Water :
Let's hope desalination projects flourish,
We recently saw the water go public.

Transport:
Change is eminent, air vehicles, autonomous driving, these are topics that are being worked hard.
I still think the cities collapsed with the current system and the environment does not resist anymore,
adding that additional dimension z in our cities for interurban mobility, it will be a thing of the past to spend hours on a highway.

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Solar paner and battery material will rise the price. Some countries today pile up the solar and battery materials. They will control the energy source in the future, that is bad for poor countries.

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That is like saying poor counties will be excluded from the internet. They are online, many of them, arent they?

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Always conscious of the future as far as tech is concerned. The Six areas you mentioned are very strategic. I really have concerns with energy, information and water and hoope we can have them better in the coming years.

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For computation, I do agree that new chips will improve it's speed but I think one of the biggest problem is reducing the size. Eventually I do not think we will have the exponential growth as it is hard to keep up. You have to consistently make the chip smaller and improve it's performance. I think the norm after a while will probably be more linear.

there is progress being made with fusion and geothermal

I completely agree that fusion and geothermal energy is important. If some issue occurs and we can't generate solar or wind power (due to snow storm or other factors), we need an alternative energy source. If we can accomplish that, energy costs should go down significantly.

I think information and communication go together as it are so intertwined that I can't separate them. But I completely agree that it is constantly improving and costs are also lowered.

Since salt water is abundant, this will provide billions with clean, inexpensive drinking water.

I want this process to not destroy the ecosystem if possible. I don't exactly trust those corporations and governments to do things properly. I do agree that the water shortage is definitely one of our more pressing issues but technology should solve it eventually.

Autonomous vehicles will change everything

I am fully expecting Tesla's autonomous taxi network to drive innovation in this space. I think everyone knows that a self-driving car can be pretty useful.

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For computation, I do agree that new chips will improve it's speed but I think one of the biggest problem is reducing the size.

Organic material takes care of this. It allows for much smaller size, faster processing, and even more storage.

The present challenge: ridiculous cost.

In the meantime, do not overlook 3D chips and building the architecture upward.

A lot going on in that area so it is one of my least concerns. Too many companies and interested parties working on it. We know someone will solve it.

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Well, I hope someday to have my own solar-powered house. If solar power efficiency increases while prices decrease, maybe my dream comes true.

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Or perhaps you will have your own mini nuclear reactor.

Or maybe a geothermal plant in your neighborhood.

There are a lot of possibilities where this is all heading.

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I'd be more than happy with cheaper communications sooner rather than later! Between Internet and Wireless service it feels like I am shelling out an arm and a leg every month. Luckily my work pays for my cell phone, but the prices are still just ridiculous.

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The challenge there is monopolies/duopolies are often in place. People have very few choices.

We are going to see a new entrant with SpaceX's Starlinnk follwed, eventually, by Bezo's Blue Origin project. The incumbents are going to be under threat.

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I just got my email the other day for Starlink about getting the service. Unfortunately, it is still too cost prohibitive at this point. I can't justify the upfront cost for the equipment.

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I havent looked into the costs since it is not going to be an option here for a long while. The speeds, from what I read, are outstanding. They even eclipse most of the urban areas.

We are now going to see some competition. As Starlink spreads out and others follow suit, I wonder what that will do to prices.

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I think the trial speeds right now with Starklink are pretty meh. At least compared to what I get through cable. That is another reason I couldn't justify the cost. The speeds they are promising... Now those are impressive and would maybe tip the scales in favor of taking the plunge.

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2050 might be cool and advanced but I'll be old and grumpy by then so it doens't matter :P

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One benefit is that it will be a lot less expensive to live. All of these innovations will allow us to enjoy more for less money.

I just hope that this really comes true and that our government would adopt it by 2050. I wonder how will our food supply be at that time. Btw I love your optimism that we'll get through all of this and live for a longer period of time.

Anyway, Stay safe and Healthy!

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