Originally published in the Deseret News.
I love the start of a new year, and 2016 promises to be a big one. The world will gather for the Olympic Summer Games in Rio, our country will elect a new president, and Utah will be the top tourism destination in the world, according to Fodor’s Travel. I looked into my crystal ball of world events, technology, sports and politics and have a handful of serious and fun predictions for the new year:
World events
The civilized world will make significant headway with the Islamic State group and terrorism. My optimism stems from the way the Paris and San Bernardino attacks have united Western Europe and the United States. There is blood on the streets in both continents and this provides the motivation to take a giant step forward. It won’t happen overnight, but the civilized world will make steady progress.
The 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be magical. For 17 days the world will focus on Copacabana Beach, the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado, and the beauty of sport. Despite economic problems and pre-games construction troubles, Brazil will bring its own kind of energy to the Olympic movement. The world will be better for this peaceable celebration of sport.
Technology
Hold on tight because 2016 will be a major year for technological advancements. I’m excited for headphones without wires as new innovations will bring the consumer smaller headsets with high quality sound. Say goodbye to tangled earbuds.
Sensors will multiply as home security systems become more ubiquitous and branch into home automation and energy management. The Utah Jazz arena didn’t take on the longer name “Vivint Smart Home Arena” by accident. The new name symbolizes the technological change occurring in our world known as the Internet of things.
Voice recognition will appear on more and more gadgets taking us another step away from the QWERTY keyboard. Perhaps most exciting and potentially disturbing will be the combination of drones and cameras. Imagine whitewater river rafting, backcountry skiing, or rock climbing while being photographed by a drone with a GoPro attached.
Sports
We will witness the passing of the baton as Kobe Bryant will try to make a 3-pointer and Stephen Curry will eventually miss one. The Utah Jazz will make the playoffs for the first time since 2010 despite suffering a parade of injuries to Dante Exum, Rudy Gobert and Alec Burks. Fans will continue to be grateful for the Miller family and find favor in coach Quin Snyder.
I don’t know if the Washington Redskins will change their name, but concussions will continue to cause serious concern in the National Football League. Rule changes and technological advancements will help, but this major problem will not go away.
One more thing … more and more Utahns will become University of Virginia fans.
Politics
Political junkies will have their fill in 2016. I have no idea how Trump will exit the race, but my belief in our system and people tells me he will begin a steady and rapid decline in late spring. Jeb Bush will do better than people think right now because he is a seasoned and skilled chief executive who can lead this country in challenging times, but it will be Rubio-Clinton in the final election. Hillary Clinton will be president, which will be both historic and disappointing if you’re like me and want to look forward rather than backward.
On a local level, Gov. Herbert and Republican leadership in the Legislature will recover from the quarrel over Medicaid expansion. Watch for them to do something difficult and meaningful like making substantial progress on homeless services in our state or a major public land breakthrough with the federal government.
I may be wrong with many of these predictions, but of one thing I am sure: 2016 will be what we make of it. The best way to predict the future is to invent it. Here’s to a safe a prosperous new year for all!