Submitted by Terence Blackett

“Almost 2,000 years and no new God!” – Friedrich Nietzsche

In the immortal words of Professor Niall Fergusson – “what is now history was once the future… by the same token, what is now the future will sooner or later be history” which makes the subject of predictions on the part of social scientists, historians and commentators a less than exact science but fallow ground to search for that which is clearly hidden.

None of us have been anointed with the gift of prophecy as a means of foretelling the future or even to really understand how the mysteries of the future will unravel as this is the domain of the Inspired (prophets & Seers). We utilise speculative theory and analytic conjecture to come to specific conclusions based on certain predetermined factors established in the past, as we look through the telescope of the future to access a nebulous window on what may take place.

Whatever methodology one employs (social science or otherwise) – these are however my predictions for 2011 – with nothing written in stone by the Hand of God but a broad panoramic sweep of what this year is likely to unfold due to certain presupposed triggers and flags planted in the recent past and how the evolutionary process of time and how circumstances have been manipulated – setting the stage for certain events to transpire in the short to medium term.

So here goes:

1. Oil prices will likely reach $150 per barrel by summer this year due to a domino effect of circumstances created by the current political and economic climate – pushing hardship, unemployment, food prices and a host of goods and services to record heights…
2. There will be more than likely major social and political upheaval in Britain & the EU resulting in parliamentary fracturing, weakened government, unrest, spikes in “nationalistic” fervour and law and order decisions over whether police in the UK will finally carry firearms. The UK Olympics will also be mired in chaos!!!
3. News of a new pandemic plague mirroring the Bubonic Plague of the 1300’s will be reported in China raising fears of mass deaths and the implementation of “forced vaccines” in the same way “swine flu” was hyped and vaccines became alarmist propaganda by WHO…
4. A disaster on the Space Station will be reported as caused by falling astral debris when cited by the news media when the truth is that it will be manmade pushing back US-Sino-Soviet relations and efforts ten years…
5. An assassination attempt will be made on a powerful “religious” figure but they will survive (just)…
6. A major quake rocks Southern California destroying infrastructure, buildings and wreaking terrible damage (adding further woe to the state’s beleaguered financial conditions)…
7. Ominous food security fears worsens on the news of dramatic climate change affecting winter crops in Europe, droughts in Africa and in other food producing regions of India and excessive flooding in other areas…
8. Moves will be made by a fringe element in Washington to impeach OBAMA* – and due to major gridlock in the new Congress with the TeaBaggers will cause a split in the Republican Party resulting in a 3^rd political party…
9. A major plank of the United States Constitution will be threatened by an Amendment to the Constitution which will affect the Civil Liberties of Americans and eventually every global citizen…
10. There will be severe contraction in China’s economy due to the “Bubble” bursting – closing factories, creating “ghost” towns and social unrest. Superficial political party reforms will be mere window dressing brought to bear by local and global actors…
11. A South American country will experience a major uprising – possibly Argentina or Venezuela… but the same token the same can be said for several potential political hot-spots around the world that are simmering with seismic tensions…

This is not an exhaustive list by an means as there are many other predictive anomalies which are likely to unravel and many of them fall within my top [20] of things which I believe will likely transpired over the period of the next 12 months…

It is undeniable that the writing is on the wall and few can deny the looming presence of something apocalyptic happening in our generation. It is more than a self-fulfilling prophecy – it is almost a psychic realization of something for which you cannot seem to put your finger on but you have this “gut” feeling that something is about break.

The media hopes to keep us entertained throughout the process with a form of Zeitgeist* while religion is the drug of choice and money the tool to dull and anesthetize the senses and keep us on a treadmill.

For the sceptics, naysayers and deniers – it would be fascinating to see what your predictions are for your respective countries and for the world for that matter.

Anyway, a BLESSED* New Year to all and sundry – family, friends & foes alike!!!