2020
George Circus
Which of the four worlds do you believe that your character will be living in?
Selfish Bubble
Why?
Although the developed world will be moving towards stabilising planetary health (probably a mix of Ecological Age and carbon is Crime) such changes in fundamental attitudes will take time, so I still believe that whilst aspiring to be elsewhere, in reality we will still be in a Selfish Bubble world.
What has been the most significant event in their life over the past 10 years?
Retirement (or more accurately semi-retirement)
What is most different for the character in 2020 compared the way they lived in 2010?
More time available.
Still active as a small one man band consultant, but not full-time - more out of interest rather a need for income. Past experience is very marketable in a world that is seeking to change and needs technical knowledge to accomplish this.
More frequent holidays means greater air miles and carbon footprint.
Still active as a small one man band consultant, but not full-time - more out of interest rather a need for income. Past experience is very marketable in a world that is seeking to change and needs technical knowledge to accomplish this.
More frequent holidays means greater air miles and carbon footprint.
What has remained the same?
Still keeping fit and in relatively good health.
Still married (happily).
Still married (happily).
What is their lifestyle now?
Comfortable on several index linked pensions. Energy and holidays are the main annual expenses.
Actively using over 60 benefits, free travel etc, that government has extended. (Government has yet to means test these).
Learning Chinese at evening classes in prepartaion for future holiday.
Actively using over 60 benefits, free travel etc, that government has extended. (Government has yet to means test these).
Learning Chinese at evening classes in prepartaion for future holiday.
Where is your character living now?
Still in the Bungalow bought in 2010, but have spent considerable time fixing it up. Major renovation projects now all completed. (Some with a clear energy efficiency objective).
With whom are they living?
Wife
What is their occupation now?
semi-retired
How to they get there?
Based from home
How does your character get around in general?
Car, train and plane.
But now increasingly using busses due to over 60 free bus pass
But now increasingly using busses due to over 60 free bus pass
Do they travel?
Yes - as much as possible
What is the furthest distance they have travelled?
Round the world holidays at least three times in last decade. (Brazil, Japan, Fiji added to countries visited tick list). Now had an opportunity to properly explore Australia.
What is the one place they would like to visit?
China and all along one of the old silk routes back to the Black Sea
What is their favourite meal?
Still Italian
What is something they have never eaten but would like to try?
Snake
What do they purchase on a regular basis and where?
Wine and alchohol - from Tesco (who have now taken over the world!)
What was their most expensive purchase?
Replacement car (electric hybrid)
What technology could they not live without? Has this changed over time?
Digital media and storage. provides TV etc and communication (both for leisure use and to support small consultancy business.)
Particularly used for travel planning - new Google facilities mean that travel planning is now very easy for those with the time.
Particularly used for travel planning - new Google facilities mean that travel planning is now very easy for those with the time.
What was the last book/website they read/perused?
Digital "press" cuttings service (now available to all). No one ever buys a paper, but chooses topics of interest from a menu and receives related feeds from a whole range of sources. Mine currently (2020) include, energy, personal finance, politics, the economy, UK and generic world news, climate, travel and particular feeds for the next countries that we plan to visit.
Buy the occasional (printed) book, secondhand from charity shop, for on holidays.
Buy the occasional (printed) book, secondhand from charity shop, for on holidays.
How does the character socially interact now?
More active in charity work.
More time for keep fit classes (and have become a better swimmer)
Still a regular dancer - now occasionally going away on dance related weekends/holidays.
Have become more active in local political lobbying - not on party lines, but on issues.
More time for keep fit classes (and have become a better swimmer)
Still a regular dancer - now occasionally going away on dance related weekends/holidays.
Have become more active in local political lobbying - not on party lines, but on issues.
How do they relax?
By being active. (No couch potato for me)
What is their next big life event?
Old age may start creeping up on me - greater cost of health insurance over 70 looms, which may curtail travel plans.
What do they care most about now?
Wife and family
Friends
Health
Friends
Health
What is a headline from their local paper now?
Pensioners protest against planned personal carbon limits
In a paragraph describe a typical day in the life for your character from the moment they wake up until they go to bed.
Wake up early, check business e-mails before breakfast. Healthy breakfast. An hour or so of work, followed by an hour at the local gym (travel by bus). Meet wife in pub in town for pub lunch. Afternoon spent supporting local charity (cancer, not save the children as world population growth is half the reason for the mess the world is in). Wife experiments on me with new cooking in early evening. Evening spent either in digital media room at home (good drama, film or documentary) or out at dance club. In bed before 12