As a thought exercise, skim through the following list and construct (in your head) a history of human civilization out of just these items. What do you have? What have you learned?
Actually, this is just a list of the dated events I’ve talked about over the past five years (according to my AI de jour). The many events to which I have referred without associating a particular date are not included. The list is of course pretty spotty as a consolidated history of just about anything. It is, nonetheless, a great illustration of the “constellation problem” in history (i.e., we find a bunch of data points and then construct a story around them). In other words, the list says more about me (the blog author) and about Notebook LM (the AI) than about “what actually happened” and what’s significant.
Pre-10th Century
* Thousands of years ago: Indigenous people (mostly Inuit) inhabit Greenland.
* Before 20th Century: Hundreds of ethnic groups, chiefdoms, and polities exist in Africa before European imposed nation-states.
10th Century
* 10th Century: Norse explorers, including Eric the Red, arrive in Greenland, bringing it into the European orbit.
11th Century
* 1066: William sails from Normandy and takes over parts of Britain.
* 11th Century (Mid): Geoffrey of Monmouth writes his account of the legend of King Arthur.
* 11th Century: China develops paper money.
13th Century
* 13th Century: Greenland becomes part of Denmark.
* 13th Century: Tintagel Castle is built in Cornwall, England, on the site of the King Arthur legend.
* 13th Century: Salisbury Cathedral is built in Salisbury, England.
* 13th Century: Europe develops paper money.
14th Century
* 1300s: The Black Death.
15th Century
* 1453: Gutenberg invents the printing press and publishes his Bible, revolutionizing information distribution.
* 1453: The English lose the Battle of Castillon to the French, effectively ending the Hundred Years' War.
* 1453: The Ottoman Turks conquer Constantinople, forcing Europeans to seek new routes to Asia.
* 1453: Donatello completes a significant statue in Padua, marking a starting point for the Renaissance.
* 15th-20th Century: European powers engage in conquest and exploitation of indigenous peoples in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
16th Century
* 16th Century: Early Modern Europe sees the emergence of capitalism and the coherent, bureaucratic "State."
* 16th-17th Century: European wars of religion take place, following the Protestant Reformation.
* 16th Century: The Ottoman Empire conquers Palestine and surrounding areas.
* 16th Century: Concept of "common carriers" as a regulatory model emerges in England.
* 1526: This year marks 250 years before the Declaration of Independence, a time of the Protestant Reformation and Magellan's journey.
17th Century
* 17th Century (Late): John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, is a major statesman and military commander in England.
* 17th-19th Century: Rise of the modern nation-state, characterized by territoriality, decline of feudalism, rise of nationalism, and advancements in surveying/mapmaking.
* 17th Century: Louis XIV famously declares "L'etat? C'est moi!" ("The state? It's me!").
18th Century
* 18th Century: The concept of "the political" as distributed power among a "public" emerges.
* 18th Century: Inter-imperial fights between France and Britain leave Britain in charge in North America.
* 18th Century: The Enlightenment flourishes in Europe, promoting reason and human understanding.
* 1774: The First Continental Congress convenes, an initial effort by British North American colonies to address tensions with Britain.
* 1776: The Declaration of Independence is adopted in the US.
* 1784: Immanuel Kant publishes his essay "What is Enlightenment?".
* 1787: The US Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia, crafting a new governing document.
* 1789: The French Revolution begins, marking a shift in ideology from religious to political.
* 1790s-1800s: The young American republic faces foreign policy crises, including President Jefferson's embargo on trade with Britain (1807).
* 1791-1815: The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars occur in Europe.
* 1795: Condorcet publishes ideas about human-driven progress, animating much of European "civilization."
* 1798: Malthus publishes his concerns about population growth outstripping food supply.
19th Century
* 19th Century: Development of demographics as a science, driven by population growth concerns.
* 19th Century: Rise of "social Darwinism" in international relations.
* 19th Century: Urban planning emerges, initially focused on remedying existing problems.
* 19th Century: Modern discipline of History arises in response to increased social change and inadequacy of Scripture-based narratives.
* 19th Century: Nationalism spreads across Europe, leading to the unification of Italy and Germany and independence movements in the Balkans.
* 19th Century (Early): British pioneer a "new style" of informal empire in Latin America and India.
* 1805: Tolstoy's "War and Peace" begins its narrative, set during the Napoleonic Wars.
* 1812: Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Russia begins.
* 1812: The War of 1812 between the US and Britain.
* 1815: Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena. The Congress of Vienna establishes the "Concert" of European Great Powers.
* 1848: A wave of uprisings and revolutions occurs across Europe.
* 1850s-1860s: Italy unifies as a nation.
* 1850s (Late) - 1875: Joseph Bazalgette oversees the construction of London's comprehensive public sewage system.
* 1851: The Great Exhibition (first "world's fair") is held at the Crystal Palace in London.
* 1857: Indian uprising against British rule.
* 1859: Charles Darwin publishes his work on evolution, challenging notions of divine intelligent design.
* 1860s: Britain adopts a new model of empire, granting increasing autonomy to Canada.
* 1860s-1870s: Germany unifies as a nation.
* 1860s-1910s: Christian components of the Ottoman Empire gain independence in the Balkans.
* 1864: George Perkins Marsh publishes "Man and Nature," raising concerns about human impact on the environment.
* 1869: Tolstoy publishes "War and Peace."
* 1870: French fight Germans.
* 1870s: British wring their hands over the "Bulgarian horrors" in the Ottoman Empire.
* 1880s: Computer technology begins to impact phone systems.
* 1895: H.G. Wells publishes "The Time Machine."
* 1890s: Isaac Newton, as Master of the Mint, attempts to curb counterfeiting.
* Late 19th Century: The US extends its reach beyond its shores, picking up the torch of empire from Britain.
20th Century
* Early 20th Century: Cell phones burst onto the scene.
* Early 20th Century: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is established (1909).
* Early 20th Century: Terminology for mental conditions like "moron" and "imbecile" are considered scientific.
* Early 20th Century: Rise of "futures studies," scenarios, and efforts to conceive of potential future developments.
* 20th Century: Bureaucratic practice spawns a great volume of memoranda documenting conversations.
* 20th Century: Europe faces significant challenges: two World Wars and the Great Depression.
* 20th Century: The "short 20th century" ends with the collapse of the Soviet Empire.
* 20th Century: The US becomes a global power, but its dominance is anomalous in historical context.
* 20th Century: Many countries gain independence from European empires, leading to the creation of micro-states.
* 1905: Einstein publishes his theory of relativity. The (first) Russian Revolution occurs.
* 1906-1968: Britain maintains a protectorate over Swaziland.
* 1908: The Young Turk revolt attempts to modernize the Ottoman Empire. Oil is discovered in Iran.
* 1911: The Standard Oil Company is broken up due to antitrust laws.
* 1912: China experiences a revolution, ending the Qing Dynasty.
* 1914: WWI begins with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
* 1915: T.S. Eliot publishes "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." The Armenian Genocide occurs.
* 1916: Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan" is published.
* 1917: The Russian Revolution occurs, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
* 1919: Lincoln Steffens visits the new revolutionary Soviet state, proclaiming "I have seen the future and it works!"
* 1920s: Jazz music becomes an important part of the US music scene.
* 1921: Our house on Filbert Street is built.
* 1922: Mussolini comes to power in Italy, initiating a radical agenda through legal means.
* 1923: Hitler's failed "Beer Hall Putsch."
* 1925 (July): Mein Kampf is published.
* 1927: Heisenberg proposes the uncertainty principle.
* 1930s: British and French political leaders rationalize accommodation with Hitler due to fear of another war.
* 1930s: Social Security is established in the US as part of social policy restructuring.
* 1931: Dominions like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are more or less recognized as independent states.
* 1933: Hitler comes to power in Germany, initiating a radical agenda through legal means.
* 1935 (September): Hitler promulgates the Nuremberg Laws.
* 1938: Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast causes panic. Hitler marches into Czechoslovakia. Oil is discovered in Saudi Arabia.
* 1939: WWII begins in Europe.
* 1940 (May): Hitler invades France.
* 1941: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, leading to US entry into WWII. Hitler gratuitously declares war on the US.
* 1944: IBM's Mark I computer is developed.
* 1945: ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) is developed. WWII in Europe ends.
* 1945-1971: The British Empire disaggregates, with over forty new countries gaining independence.
* 1947: The UN begins its trusteeship model.
* 1949: China experiences a communist revolution.
* 1950: The US has 6% of global population and 28% of global GDP.
* 1950s-1970s: The "Space Age" spawns science fiction and optimism.
* 1951-1955: Winston Churchill serves his second term as Prime Minister.
* 1956: Isaac Asimov publishes "The Last Question."
* 1956: British invasion of Egypt during the Suez Crisis.
* 1957: Gold Coast becomes independent as Ghana.
* 1958: Isaac Asimov publishes "The Feeling of Power."
* 1959: The Cuban Revolution occurs.
* 1960: A movie version of "The Time Machine" is released.
* 1960s: General commercial mainframes become available. China and India begin a series of "low-level" fights.
* 1960s (Mid): Anniebell Shepherd joins my family’s household as a servant.
* 1960s (Late): Race riots occur in Detroit and other US cities. Distinctive rock music hits emerge.
* 1962: Rachel Carson publishes "Silent Spring," raising environmental concerns.
* 1964: ATT Picturephone is a highlight of the World's Fair. The Supreme Court rules in Reynolds vs. Sims ("one-man, one-vote" rule). Gulf of Tonkin resolution.
* 1965: Winston Churchill dies at age 90.
* 1969: The song "In the Year 2525" by Zager and Evans is a hit.
* 1969-1982: A "great bulge" of inflation occurs, averaging over 5%.
* 1970s: Our friend Karma grows up in the village of Bemji, Bhutan. Latest round of terrorism flourishes.
* 1972: Don McLean's "American Pie" is at the top of the charts.
* 1973: Monarchy in Afghanistan is overthrown in a coup.
* 1974: The Ford Administration's Justice Department sues AT&T under antitrust laws.
* 1976: I get my first first new car. The US Bicentennial celebration of American independence is held.
* 1979: The Iranian Revolution occurs.
1980s
* 1980s: Personal computers (PCs) become widespread. The Falklands War occurs.
* 1982: I was Special Assistant to the General Counsel of the FCC when the AT&T break-up plan is announced.
* 1983-1998: I worked for AT&T and Pacific Telesis Group.
* 1984: AT&T's break-up is implemented. Pacific Telesis Group secures a license for cell phone services in Los Angeles for the Olympics.
* 1984: Upper Volta changes its name to Burkina Faso.
* 1985: Orson Scott Card publishes "Ender's Game."
* 1987: I move to San Francisco to Pacific Telesis Group headquarters.
* 1988: "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," a film mixing live and cartoon characters, is released.
* 1989: The World Wide Web is developed.
1990s
* 1990: Fall of Communism.
* 1991: Inflation is over 4%.
* 1992: Neal Stephenson publishes "Snow Crash," creating the concept of the metaverse.
* 1993: Vernor Vinge writes "Technological Singularity," forecasting superhuman intelligence within 30 years.
* 1994: We buy our current house.
* 1995: The Oklahoma City bombing occurs.
* 1996: The last major telecom legislation is approved in the US.
* 1997: Hong Kong is returned to China by the British.
* Mid-1990s: Anniebell Shepherd stays working for the narrator's family.
21st Century
* Early 21st Century: The "English Empire" of language permeates global cultures.
* Early 21st Century: US military actions occur in Afghanistan and Iraq.
* 2000-2005: Many of my latest SFSU students are born.
* 2002: Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report" uses AI capabilities to foresee and prevent crimes.
* 2003: William Gibson states: "The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed."
* 2004: NASA's Mars Rover "Spirit" begins its mission.
* 2005: Ray Kurzweil publishes "The Singularity is Here," popularizing the concept of technological singularity.
* 2008-2009: Financial institutions face a debacle, leading to a shift in their fortunes.
* 2009: Discovery of 23,000-year-old human footprints in New Mexico.
* 2009-2013: Obama "surge" in Afghanistan, increasing US troop levels.
* 2010: Official US government term for "mental retardation" changes to "intellectual disability."
* 2011: Siri is introduced. The Arab Spring uprisings occur.
* 2012: Obama declares the use of chemical weapons in Syria a "red line." The average price of a new car is $30k.
* 2013: The Boston Marathon bombing occurs.
* 2014: The British Library celebrates the 100th anniversary of WWI with ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. The narrator makes a third visit to Bhutan. NASA's Mars Rover "Opportunity" begins its mission.
* 2016: Theresa May declares "Brexit means Brexit." The Brexit vote occurs in June. Mitch McConnell "stiff-arms" the Merrick Garland nomination.
* 2018: Swaziland changes its name to Eswatini. The NYT reports on 13,000-year-old human footprints in North America.
* 2020 (January): Final agreement on Brexit.
* 2020 (September): The Blog begins.
* 2021: COVID-19 pandemic impacts the world. Inflation rises. MAGA-ites involved in January 6th events.
* 2022: A clear majority of British voters indicate support for rejoining the EU.
* 2022 (July): World population reaches 8 billion.
* 2022 (September): Boris Johnson resigns, Liz Truss takes over as PM.
* 2023 (January): Satirically, SpeakerGPT is "elected" Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
* 2025 (June): Greenland plans an independence referendum.
* 2025 (July): Mein Kampf's 100th anniversary of publication.
* 2029: Proposed "Emergency Action and Government Efficacy Restoration (EAGER) Act" to address political damage.
* Mid-21st Century: AI-designed and produced video series are expected.
* 22nd Century (Late): Expected problematic legacy of current and prior generations on the world.
* 2525: The year referenced in the song "In the Year 2525."
Actually, this is just a list of the dated events I’ve talked about over the past five years (according to my AI de jour). The many events to which I have referred without associating a particular date are not included. The list is of course pretty spotty as a consolidated history of just about anything. It is, nonetheless, a great illustration of the “constellation problem” in history (i.e., we find a bunch of data points and then construct a story around them). In other words, the list says more about me (the blog author) and about Notebook LM (the AI) than about “what actually happened” and what’s significant.
Pre-10th Century
* Thousands of years ago: Indigenous people (mostly Inuit) inhabit Greenland.
* Before 20th Century: Hundreds of ethnic groups, chiefdoms, and polities exist in Africa before European imposed nation-states.
10th Century
* 10th Century: Norse explorers, including Eric the Red, arrive in Greenland, bringing it into the European orbit.
11th Century
* 1066: William sails from Normandy and takes over parts of Britain.
* 11th Century (Mid): Geoffrey of Monmouth writes his account of the legend of King Arthur.
* 11th Century: China develops paper money.
13th Century
* 13th Century: Greenland becomes part of Denmark.
* 13th Century: Tintagel Castle is built in Cornwall, England, on the site of the King Arthur legend.
* 13th Century: Salisbury Cathedral is built in Salisbury, England.
* 13th Century: Europe develops paper money.
14th Century
* 1300s: The Black Death.
15th Century
* 1453: Gutenberg invents the printing press and publishes his Bible, revolutionizing information distribution.
* 1453: The English lose the Battle of Castillon to the French, effectively ending the Hundred Years' War.
* 1453: The Ottoman Turks conquer Constantinople, forcing Europeans to seek new routes to Asia.
* 1453: Donatello completes a significant statue in Padua, marking a starting point for the Renaissance.
* 15th-20th Century: European powers engage in conquest and exploitation of indigenous peoples in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
16th Century
* 16th Century: Early Modern Europe sees the emergence of capitalism and the coherent, bureaucratic "State."
* 16th-17th Century: European wars of religion take place, following the Protestant Reformation.
* 16th Century: The Ottoman Empire conquers Palestine and surrounding areas.
* 16th Century: Concept of "common carriers" as a regulatory model emerges in England.
* 1526: This year marks 250 years before the Declaration of Independence, a time of the Protestant Reformation and Magellan's journey.
17th Century
* 17th Century (Late): John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, is a major statesman and military commander in England.
* 17th-19th Century: Rise of the modern nation-state, characterized by territoriality, decline of feudalism, rise of nationalism, and advancements in surveying/mapmaking.
* 17th Century: Louis XIV famously declares "L'etat? C'est moi!" ("The state? It's me!").
18th Century
* 18th Century: The concept of "the political" as distributed power among a "public" emerges.
* 18th Century: Inter-imperial fights between France and Britain leave Britain in charge in North America.
* 18th Century: The Enlightenment flourishes in Europe, promoting reason and human understanding.
* 1774: The First Continental Congress convenes, an initial effort by British North American colonies to address tensions with Britain.
* 1776: The Declaration of Independence is adopted in the US.
* 1784: Immanuel Kant publishes his essay "What is Enlightenment?".
* 1787: The US Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia, crafting a new governing document.
* 1789: The French Revolution begins, marking a shift in ideology from religious to political.
* 1790s-1800s: The young American republic faces foreign policy crises, including President Jefferson's embargo on trade with Britain (1807).
* 1791-1815: The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars occur in Europe.
* 1795: Condorcet publishes ideas about human-driven progress, animating much of European "civilization."
* 1798: Malthus publishes his concerns about population growth outstripping food supply.
19th Century
* 19th Century: Development of demographics as a science, driven by population growth concerns.
* 19th Century: Rise of "social Darwinism" in international relations.
* 19th Century: Urban planning emerges, initially focused on remedying existing problems.
* 19th Century: Modern discipline of History arises in response to increased social change and inadequacy of Scripture-based narratives.
* 19th Century: Nationalism spreads across Europe, leading to the unification of Italy and Germany and independence movements in the Balkans.
* 19th Century (Early): British pioneer a "new style" of informal empire in Latin America and India.
* 1805: Tolstoy's "War and Peace" begins its narrative, set during the Napoleonic Wars.
* 1812: Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Russia begins.
* 1812: The War of 1812 between the US and Britain.
* 1815: Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena. The Congress of Vienna establishes the "Concert" of European Great Powers.
* 1848: A wave of uprisings and revolutions occurs across Europe.
* 1850s-1860s: Italy unifies as a nation.
* 1850s (Late) - 1875: Joseph Bazalgette oversees the construction of London's comprehensive public sewage system.
* 1851: The Great Exhibition (first "world's fair") is held at the Crystal Palace in London.
* 1857: Indian uprising against British rule.
* 1859: Charles Darwin publishes his work on evolution, challenging notions of divine intelligent design.
* 1860s: Britain adopts a new model of empire, granting increasing autonomy to Canada.
* 1860s-1870s: Germany unifies as a nation.
* 1860s-1910s: Christian components of the Ottoman Empire gain independence in the Balkans.
* 1864: George Perkins Marsh publishes "Man and Nature," raising concerns about human impact on the environment.
* 1869: Tolstoy publishes "War and Peace."
* 1870: French fight Germans.
* 1870s: British wring their hands over the "Bulgarian horrors" in the Ottoman Empire.
* 1880s: Computer technology begins to impact phone systems.
* 1895: H.G. Wells publishes "The Time Machine."
* 1890s: Isaac Newton, as Master of the Mint, attempts to curb counterfeiting.
* Late 19th Century: The US extends its reach beyond its shores, picking up the torch of empire from Britain.
20th Century
* Early 20th Century: Cell phones burst onto the scene.
* Early 20th Century: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is established (1909).
* Early 20th Century: Terminology for mental conditions like "moron" and "imbecile" are considered scientific.
* Early 20th Century: Rise of "futures studies," scenarios, and efforts to conceive of potential future developments.
* 20th Century: Bureaucratic practice spawns a great volume of memoranda documenting conversations.
* 20th Century: Europe faces significant challenges: two World Wars and the Great Depression.
* 20th Century: The "short 20th century" ends with the collapse of the Soviet Empire.
* 20th Century: The US becomes a global power, but its dominance is anomalous in historical context.
* 20th Century: Many countries gain independence from European empires, leading to the creation of micro-states.
* 1905: Einstein publishes his theory of relativity. The (first) Russian Revolution occurs.
* 1906-1968: Britain maintains a protectorate over Swaziland.
* 1908: The Young Turk revolt attempts to modernize the Ottoman Empire. Oil is discovered in Iran.
* 1911: The Standard Oil Company is broken up due to antitrust laws.
* 1912: China experiences a revolution, ending the Qing Dynasty.
* 1914: WWI begins with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
* 1915: T.S. Eliot publishes "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." The Armenian Genocide occurs.
* 1916: Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan" is published.
* 1917: The Russian Revolution occurs, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
* 1919: Lincoln Steffens visits the new revolutionary Soviet state, proclaiming "I have seen the future and it works!"
* 1920s: Jazz music becomes an important part of the US music scene.
* 1921: Our house on Filbert Street is built.
* 1922: Mussolini comes to power in Italy, initiating a radical agenda through legal means.
* 1923: Hitler's failed "Beer Hall Putsch."
* 1925 (July): Mein Kampf is published.
* 1927: Heisenberg proposes the uncertainty principle.
* 1930s: British and French political leaders rationalize accommodation with Hitler due to fear of another war.
* 1930s: Social Security is established in the US as part of social policy restructuring.
* 1931: Dominions like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are more or less recognized as independent states.
* 1933: Hitler comes to power in Germany, initiating a radical agenda through legal means.
* 1935 (September): Hitler promulgates the Nuremberg Laws.
* 1938: Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast causes panic. Hitler marches into Czechoslovakia. Oil is discovered in Saudi Arabia.
* 1939: WWII begins in Europe.
* 1940 (May): Hitler invades France.
* 1941: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, leading to US entry into WWII. Hitler gratuitously declares war on the US.
* 1944: IBM's Mark I computer is developed.
* 1945: ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) is developed. WWII in Europe ends.
* 1945-1971: The British Empire disaggregates, with over forty new countries gaining independence.
* 1947: The UN begins its trusteeship model.
* 1949: China experiences a communist revolution.
* 1950: The US has 6% of global population and 28% of global GDP.
* 1950s-1970s: The "Space Age" spawns science fiction and optimism.
* 1951-1955: Winston Churchill serves his second term as Prime Minister.
* 1956: Isaac Asimov publishes "The Last Question."
* 1956: British invasion of Egypt during the Suez Crisis.
* 1957: Gold Coast becomes independent as Ghana.
* 1958: Isaac Asimov publishes "The Feeling of Power."
* 1959: The Cuban Revolution occurs.
* 1960: A movie version of "The Time Machine" is released.
* 1960s: General commercial mainframes become available. China and India begin a series of "low-level" fights.
* 1960s (Mid): Anniebell Shepherd joins my family’s household as a servant.
* 1960s (Late): Race riots occur in Detroit and other US cities. Distinctive rock music hits emerge.
* 1962: Rachel Carson publishes "Silent Spring," raising environmental concerns.
* 1964: ATT Picturephone is a highlight of the World's Fair. The Supreme Court rules in Reynolds vs. Sims ("one-man, one-vote" rule). Gulf of Tonkin resolution.
* 1965: Winston Churchill dies at age 90.
* 1969: The song "In the Year 2525" by Zager and Evans is a hit.
* 1969-1982: A "great bulge" of inflation occurs, averaging over 5%.
* 1970s: Our friend Karma grows up in the village of Bemji, Bhutan. Latest round of terrorism flourishes.
* 1972: Don McLean's "American Pie" is at the top of the charts.
* 1973: Monarchy in Afghanistan is overthrown in a coup.
* 1974: The Ford Administration's Justice Department sues AT&T under antitrust laws.
* 1976: I get my first first new car. The US Bicentennial celebration of American independence is held.
* 1979: The Iranian Revolution occurs.
1980s
* 1980s: Personal computers (PCs) become widespread. The Falklands War occurs.
* 1982: I was Special Assistant to the General Counsel of the FCC when the AT&T break-up plan is announced.
* 1983-1998: I worked for AT&T and Pacific Telesis Group.
* 1984: AT&T's break-up is implemented. Pacific Telesis Group secures a license for cell phone services in Los Angeles for the Olympics.
* 1984: Upper Volta changes its name to Burkina Faso.
* 1985: Orson Scott Card publishes "Ender's Game."
* 1987: I move to San Francisco to Pacific Telesis Group headquarters.
* 1988: "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," a film mixing live and cartoon characters, is released.
* 1989: The World Wide Web is developed.
1990s
* 1990: Fall of Communism.
* 1991: Inflation is over 4%.
* 1992: Neal Stephenson publishes "Snow Crash," creating the concept of the metaverse.
* 1993: Vernor Vinge writes "Technological Singularity," forecasting superhuman intelligence within 30 years.
* 1994: We buy our current house.
* 1995: The Oklahoma City bombing occurs.
* 1996: The last major telecom legislation is approved in the US.
* 1997: Hong Kong is returned to China by the British.
* Mid-1990s: Anniebell Shepherd stays working for the narrator's family.
21st Century
* Early 21st Century: The "English Empire" of language permeates global cultures.
* Early 21st Century: US military actions occur in Afghanistan and Iraq.
* 2000-2005: Many of my latest SFSU students are born.
* 2002: Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report" uses AI capabilities to foresee and prevent crimes.
* 2003: William Gibson states: "The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed."
* 2004: NASA's Mars Rover "Spirit" begins its mission.
* 2005: Ray Kurzweil publishes "The Singularity is Here," popularizing the concept of technological singularity.
* 2008-2009: Financial institutions face a debacle, leading to a shift in their fortunes.
* 2009: Discovery of 23,000-year-old human footprints in New Mexico.
* 2009-2013: Obama "surge" in Afghanistan, increasing US troop levels.
* 2010: Official US government term for "mental retardation" changes to "intellectual disability."
* 2011: Siri is introduced. The Arab Spring uprisings occur.
* 2012: Obama declares the use of chemical weapons in Syria a "red line." The average price of a new car is $30k.
* 2013: The Boston Marathon bombing occurs.
* 2014: The British Library celebrates the 100th anniversary of WWI with ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. The narrator makes a third visit to Bhutan. NASA's Mars Rover "Opportunity" begins its mission.
* 2016: Theresa May declares "Brexit means Brexit." The Brexit vote occurs in June. Mitch McConnell "stiff-arms" the Merrick Garland nomination.
* 2018: Swaziland changes its name to Eswatini. The NYT reports on 13,000-year-old human footprints in North America.
* 2020 (January): Final agreement on Brexit.
* 2020 (September): The Blog begins.
* 2021: COVID-19 pandemic impacts the world. Inflation rises. MAGA-ites involved in January 6th events.
* 2022: A clear majority of British voters indicate support for rejoining the EU.
* 2022 (July): World population reaches 8 billion.
* 2022 (September): Boris Johnson resigns, Liz Truss takes over as PM.
* 2023 (January): Satirically, SpeakerGPT is "elected" Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
* 2025 (June): Greenland plans an independence referendum.
* 2025 (July): Mein Kampf's 100th anniversary of publication.
* 2029: Proposed "Emergency Action and Government Efficacy Restoration (EAGER) Act" to address political damage.
* Mid-21st Century: AI-designed and produced video series are expected.
* 22nd Century (Late): Expected problematic legacy of current and prior generations on the world.
* 2525: The year referenced in the song "In the Year 2525."
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