How Americans imagined 2025 back in 1998 — what they got right and what they got wrong
In 1998, Americans predicted a Black president and legal gay marriage by 2025, with many foreseeing a deadly new disease. While they correctly doubted widespread space travel, optimism faltered on a female president and routine 100-year lifespans. The poll also revealed fears of declining privacy and worsening conditions for the poor, contrasting with today's significantly lower national satisfaction.
In 1998, Americans predicted a Black president and legal gay marriage by 2025, with many foreseeing a deadly new disease. While they correctly doubted widespread space travel, optimism faltered on a female president and routine 100-year lifespans. The poll also revealed fears of declining privacy and worsening conditions for the poor, contrasting with today's significantly lower national satisfaction.
