Ten wildcard scenarios for 2025

To navigate the future, it can help to anticipate the unlikely. Here are 10 unbelievable-sounding things that could happen next year.

It is now a matter of when, rather than if, the next major pandemic occurs. David Rowe

The Economist

Dec 18, 2024 – 12.52pm

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In the modern age, the unbelievable has become commonplace. Entire countries are shut down by a global pandemic. Cajoling an artificial intelligence to do useful things is a real job. A giant rocket returns to Earth and is caught by steel “chopsticks”. Bombs hidden in exploding radios kill dozens of people. Self-driving taxis are a hit with tourists in San Francisco. To navigate the future, it can help to anticipate the unlikely. Here are 10 unbelievable-sounding things that could happen next year.