ASTRONOMERS run models into the future based on all of the possible asteroid orbital paths, and some of those paths put 2007 FT3 in the same place in space as the Earth on October 3, 2024. Those wide orbital error margins are why we can know when it might hit, but not if it will hit. In fact, NASA has identified dozens of potential impact times over the next several decades. October 3 is only the first. Pending any additional observations, the question is one of probability.” [https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/missing-asteroid-could-hit-earth-200113436.html]
‘How many of these visitors were in Manila’s Translacion? Attending Cebu’s Sinulog
grand parade?’
Besides an asteroid strike, what else is in the offing? High speed solar winds — geomagnetic storm? “If the Carrington Event happened today, it would have even more severe impacts, such as widespread electrical disruptions, persistent blackouts, and interruptions to global communications. Such technological chaos could cripple economies and endanger the safety and livelihoods of people worldwide.” [https://www.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasa-enabled-ai-predictions-may-give-time-to-prepare-for-solar-storms/]
From outer space to terra firma, sci-tech is the harbinger, even for businesses. For instance, every strategic conversation needs to include Artificial Intelligence: “GenAI makes people better and more powerful personally and professionally” but “mal-information is a new threat vector.” [https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/gartner-s-top-strategic-predictions-for-2024-and-beyond]
- “Bioelectronic materials, which form interfaces between electronic devices and the human body, such as the brain-computer interface system being developed by Neuralink.” [https://www.cas.org/resources/cas-insights/emerging-science/scientific-breakthroughs-2024-emerging-trends-watch]
- “The global cell and gene therapy market is anticipated to experience a remarkable 20% increase from 2023 to 2024, reaching approximately USD 11 billion…Projections indicate that in 2024 alone, up to 21 cell therapies and as many as 31 gene therapy launches are expected…Gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 have revolutionized the precision and efficiency of genetic modifications.” [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-biotechnology-industry-outlook-2024-140800780.html]
- “Another big trend to watch for will be the continued shift toward plant-based eating, which, in recent years, has driven sales and interest in Impossible Burgers and other meat alternatives…with consumers opting more for vegetable and lentil burgers.” [https://www.nyit.edu/news/features/trends_in_2024_nutrition]
- “The GLP-1 obesity wonder drug has surprised everyone in the world, but most importantly, the promise to fight obesity has seen demand take off like nothing the pharmaceutical industry has ever seen before…However, in a turn of events, the supply of GLP-1 obesity drugs is unable to meet the widespread demands, and patients…stop exercising or keeping to a healthy diet…Market impact: The processed food industry sees a significant demand lift, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola stock prices outperform broader markets by 60% each.” [https://www.home.saxo/content/articles/outrageous-predictions/world-hit-by-major-health-crisis-as-obesity-drugs-make-people-stop-exercising-05122023]
- “Innovations ranging from hypersonic flights and directed energy weapons to space militarization are underway…US-based startup Hermeus builds Mach-5 capability Quarterhouse hypersonic jet…US-based startup Epirus develops directed energy weapons systems.” [https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/top-10-military-technology-trends-2022/]
Where shall we see this war tech in action? Myanmar (civil war) where coup leader Min Aung Hlaing harbors particularly strong anti-China sentiment? The Sahel where Niger’s military toppled Mohamed Bazoum (reformist president friendly with the West) after coups in Mali and Burkina Faso? [International Crisis Group, 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2024, 01 January 2024]
Can we get more details from science fiction? “What strange circumstances precipitated the Great Sino-American Conflict? Was it triggered by an ultrasecret US occult computer that hurled American soldiers backward in spacetime to thwart a Chinese-summoned eldritch horror or does an extraterrestrial intelligence spur an arms race that leads the two countries to war? Did a US military campaign in mainland China awaken a supernatural force that could move mountains and rend continents or did World War III begin with a bomb sent from the future to erase the past?” [Sean Patrick Hazlett, Preface, Weird World War-China]
Science fiction, after all, showed probable futures. Consider this source 100 years prior: “Undoubtedly, we shall see wireless controlled tanks, submarines, and torpedoes on both land, air, and water. All will be accurately controlled, and they will possibly be able to find their way home and operate from a distance while out of sight…We shall in the future see forms of electric death and heat-rays which may materialize not as a direct projection of heat but as some form of oscillation which produces heat only when striking a metallic object.” [A.M. Low. Wireless Possibilities. New York: E. P. Dutton & Company, 1924]
Today, the United States military has an Autonomous Tactical Vehicle System program and Next Generation Combat Vehicles, the High Energy Laser Counter-ASCM Program (HELCAP), the Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy (ODIN), and the high-energy laser with integrated optical dazzler and surveillance (HELIOS), among others. [https://arl.devcom.army.mil/what-we-do/aimm/; https://news.usni.org/2024/01/01/report-to-congress-on-navy-shipboard-lasers-6] Shall we see these “death rays” in action in the West Philippine Sea?
As for Rizal’s homeland, forecasts include the climate outlook for January to June 2024: two to five tropical cyclones are expected to enter/develop in the Philippine Area of Responsibility, 75% of the country’s potential for drought (63 provinces), and El Niño will likely persist. [https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/climps/climateforum/outlook.pdf] In regard to our livelihood: The growth forecast for the Philippines for 2024 is maintained at 6.2%. [Asian Development Bank Regional Economic Outlook, December 2023] “Inflation is projected to average at 3.7 percent for 2024…seen to accelerate above the target range from April to July 2024 due to the impact of El Niño weather conditions and positive base effects…projected to return to the target in Q3 2024 and settle near the midpoint in Q4 2024.”
[https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Price%20Stability/MonetaryPolicyReport/EconomicOutlook_November2023.pdf] Tourism Department targets pre-pandemic 7.7M arrivals for 2024. [https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1215316] How many of these visitors were in Manila’s Translacion? Attending Cebu’s Sinulog grand parade?
