Dateline: October 13 2029
Elon Musk famously told us that he developed the Starship mega rocket to “take humanity to Mars”, but perhaps that wasn’t his only ambition. It turns out he may have had a secret master plan to dominate Earth’s orbital space.
Powered by Starship’s huge payload capacity and low-cost reusability, SpaceX has been able to populate their constellation with 42,000 advanced Starlink satellites, providing ubiquitous broadband coverage to every corner of the planet. Now it’s hardly worth asking who controls the global internet.
Every ship, airliner and drone uses Starlink to stay in touch with home base, and the world. Every new Tesla comes equipped with Starlink as standard, and most other electric cars offer it as an option. Wi-Fi on the train or bus? Chances are it’s powered by Starlink. Military comms too. And almost all new smartphones talk directly to the satellites.
The power has shifted to who controls the network. Back in 2024, Starlink had to apply for licences to operate in different countries. Now they pay Starlink to be their national carrier. It’s just so much cheaper, and more reliable.
But that’s not all. Every Starlink satellite also has multispectral cameras on board, giving a real-time view of global activity. Think highway conditions, dam levels, crop yields, natural disasters, urban emergencies, migration. In real time, 24/7, even through clouds. And the artificial intelligence (AI)-stabilised live feed is constantly available, from pole to pole, for approved subscribers.
Never again will an airliner “go missing” over the Indian Ocean, or an oligarch’s superyacht mysteriously disappear. If you want to escape Starlink’s gaze, you’ll have to go deep underwater, or underground. It’s a dream come true for agencies such as Interpol.
Which begs the question: if a corporate entity such as Starlink controls a global communications and surveillance network, deciding who gets to go online where, and who gets to see what, and at what price, who owns the world? Probably the person who owns Starlink!
- First published on Mindbullets October 24 2024
Elon Musk for Emperor!
Elon Musk launches presidential campaign on X
Dateline: May 28 2032
Elon Musk, the man who has redefined the limits of human achievement, has officially announced his candidacy for the office of president of the US. With a net worth that makes him the wealthiest individual on the planet, Musk is no stranger to the spotlight, but this latest sally into the world of politics has stunned everyone.
The announcement, made on the global super-app X that Musk himself created, marks a momentous step in his quest for not only changing the way we live and travel but also reshaping the very fabric of the world’s most powerful nation. In a short but electrifying statement, Musk declared, “I’m running for president to steer humanity towards a future in which the stars are within our reach, and the Earth is safer and healthier than ever before.”
The billionaire entrepreneur and visionary, who will be 61 next month, has long been at the forefront of technological advancements, from revolutionising the electric car industry with Tesla to pushing the boundaries of space exploration with SpaceX. His penchant for daring endeavours, and fearless — some would say reckless — pursuit of his vision, have garnered him a huge fan base and a reputation as one of the most influential figures of the 21st century.
Musk’s supporters have been quick to rally behind his candidacy, citing his track record of innovation and his willingness to tackle seemingly impossible challenges. His charismatic appeal and ability to inspire others have led to a fervent following that could rival any political movement in history.
But critics question his lack of experience in politics and his notoriously controversial statements on social media, claiming he funded the constitutional amendment that makes this possible. The road to the White House will be fraught with obstacles, with Musk facing a field of seasoned politicians and public figures, including some bitter enemies.
Can Elon Musk, the ultimate disrupter, navigate the minefield of American politics and lead the nation into a future that, in his words, is “brighter and more extraordinary than we can now imagine”? One thing is for sure: with Musk at the helm, the journey ahead promises to be nothing short of mind-blowing!
- First published on Mindbullets October 5 2023
• Despite appearances to the contrary, Futureworld cannot and does not predict the future. The Mindbullets scenarios are fictitious and designed purely to explore possible futures, and challenge and stimulate strategic thinking.
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