Visions of Dystopia

I've got an idea for a short story set one generation into the future. In this story, life on Earth is worse than now. Many of the things that we're being warned about now, e.g. climate change, global corporate takeover of power, have come true.

I want to get this world clear in my head before starting to write the story because it's character-based and it's about what happens as these characters encounter this environment. I don't know exactly what will happen just yet, so I'd like to have at least one variable set - the world.

Could you help me out with your imaginations? If the worst case scenarios suggested today in any field that takes your fancy were to come true, what would that mean in terms of day to day living in the near future? Of particular importance in the story are: reproductive technologies, lives of the poor in rich countries, employment conditions and interpersonal relationships, but I'd like to hear any other ideas you may have too.

I have some ideas of my own but if you people could spare me some brain space I'd be very grateful.

James M M Baldwin said:

I think there would be a large sub-culture. perhaps cave dwellers. controlling water and mineral rights and demanding valueble natural resorces in exchange.

Just a thought.

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That's an interesting thought. There's already apparently a colony of people living under LA, though they haven't organised themselves enough to control water supplies etc. - yet.

Thanks for your replies everyone. I especially like the ideas on the dominance of religion and the effects of power scarcity.