Then, as we progress through the next four decades, by mid-century or so, aided by future artificial intelligence, humanity could begin living in ageless bodies made from non-biological materials with auto-repair features that would shield us from damages, including accidents and violence attacks.

    Under this scenario, nearly all deaths would be preventable. By reducing deaths, the desire to perpetuate family lineage through children will diminish. Although this will lower birthrates, fewer deaths would still cause populations to rise. Could this trigger a resource shortage? Experts say it will not; nanofactories and GM foods promise a scarcity-free life that will satisfy any population increase.

    Experts predict that over the next nine decades, humanity will evolve from a group of self-centered squabbling cultures to become a peaceful global village with amazing technological abilities.

    By century's end, the largest exodus in human history will be underway as society migrates to space colonies on Moon, Mars, and artificial habitats orbiting Earth.The following timeline reveals events and achievements predicted to become reality as we trek through this incredible twenty-first century:

2010s

    More people become techno-savvy in a fully-wired world. The Internet, smart phones, medical monitoring devices, and automatic language translators give birth to a humanity focused on improving healthcare and raising living standards. Stem cell and genetic engineering advances emerge almost daily.

2020

    Nanotech, computers, robots make life easier. Medical nanotech improves healthcare, ending many causes of death; quantum computers help unravel the mysteries of consciousness, which has reduced crime rates worldwide. Household robots surpass cars as the most indispensable family purchase.

2030s

    Improved transportation, longer lifespan, stronger security systems make the world safer, more enjoyable. Driverless collision-proof cars have reduced auto deaths to near zero; hyperjets fly to anywhere on Earth in an hour or less; and except for violence and accidents, most people now enjoy an indefinite lifespan. Future homes provide more comfort, convenience and security to our lives.

2040-2060

    Human-machine merges bring us closer to conquering death. Humanity’s future lies in transitioning into nonbiological beings, writes physicist Paul Davies in his book The Eerie Silence. "Biological life is transitory," Davies says, "It is only a fleeting phase of evolution."

    By 2050, a few bold pioneers begin replacing their biology with nonbiological muscles, bones, organs, and brains. Non-bio bodies automatically self-repair when damaged. In fatal accidents (or acts of violence), consciousness and memories can be transferred into a new body.

    Death is now considered no more disruptive than a brief mental lapse. Most patients are not even aware that they had died. Built labor-free with nanofactories, non-bio body parts are easily affordable.

2060-2075

    Humanity heads for the stars. Successful Moon and Mars forays bring a new era in world peace as countries begin collaborative efforts to develop space. By 2060, innovative terraforming technologies provide pleasant atmospheres on offworld communities with breathable air and Earthlike gravity. By 2075, population has reached 10,000 on the Moon and 50,000 on Mars. By 2100, populations grow to 2 million on the Moon and 10 million on Mars.

2075-2100

    Faster-than-light travel developed. Scientists have selected fusion power and zero-point energy as the most probable technologies that could enable space ships to break the light-speed barrier.

    For example, a 2070s hyper-drive vessel or 2080s warp-speed ship might reach Alpha Centauri (four light-years away) in just 30 days, or make the six-month trip to Mars in three hours. Officials at NASA’s Glenn Research Center have explored other options to travel faster than light-speeds and believe that, in the future, humans may even harness wormholes, enabling instant access to vast distances in space.

    As our civilization spreads its populations through the cosmos, within four-to-five hundred years, we could find a new home planet more attractive than Earth. This new world may boast multiple suns, built-in anti-gravity features, and resources that enable the control of dark energy. Would we desert our "third rock from the sun" for this paradise world? Positive futurists think we would.

    Granted, this future sounds more like fiction than science, but with advancing technologies, anything may become possible as we wind through the decades ahead.