#predictions2016

[thebennymacknetwork]

BMP 021 Road To WWE Money In The Bank 2016

[integrations]

Zukunft 2016

         sideways, shaky, faster, brighter and increasingly connected

 It’s the first day of the year, a time for planning and anticipating. What can we expect from 2016?

Sideways, and shaky

There is little bright news on the economic front.

In the October update their World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) generally downgraded their growth forecasts from their July update. Projected growth for 2015 is 3.1%, slightly lower than the 3.4% of 2014, but growth for 2016 is expected to go back up to 3.6%. Advanced economies are expected to grow 2.2% in 2016, and emerging markets and developing economies by 4.5%.

The IMF points to a slowdown in China, continued weakness in commodity prices, geopolitical tensions and domestic strife as worrisome factors and was careful to point out that the projected improvement from 2015 to 2016 is not reflective of an expected general recovery but rather “a less deep recession and “a partial normalization of conditions” in distressed economies. The IMF also expects continued financial volatility.

In September of 2015, Willem Butler, chief global economist of Citigroup, predicted a moderate global recession with a 55% probability. Butler’s scenario would have global growth at 2.5% or less beginning second half of 2016 and remaining at these levels for at least a year. Like many analysts, Butler points to the slowdown in China as a key driver for this potential global slowdown.

Just two days before Christmas 2015, Stan Choe of The Associated Press had this to say about investing in 2016: Expect less and buy antacid. His summary of the consensus among analysts and mutual fund managers? Lower returns. Higher volatility. Choe quotes investment bank Barclays’ title for its 2016 outlook: Curb your expectations. This echoes the August 2015 declaration from Goldman Sachs on the future of US stocks in 2015: “Flat is the new up.” Goldman’s 2016 outlook predicts more of the same. Goldman favors strong balance sheets, high domestic sales and companies with the ability to boost margins.

A Reuters poll in mid-December of 2015 showed that optimism among market strategists had faded. The years-long global stock rally which has been fueled by low interest rates and stimulus money by some of the world’s largest central banks, is seen to be losing steam. Key European indices are expected to inch up 10% by mid-2016, still below peaks reached in April 2015. If this still leaves you feeling hopeful, Reuters is quick to point out that strategists as a group generally overestimated market gains for 2015.

The website tradingeconomics.com similarly forecasts an essentially flat year for the Philippine stock index in 2016, with a predicted Q4 2015 PSE level of 6850 and Q3 2016 level of 6650.

Consumer Trends

In the arena of consumer trends, Mary Meehan, Forbes contributor, pinpoints, among others, increasing expectations for consumer control, the movement of social media towards communities, and increased expectations for applications of artificial intelligence.    

Trendwatching.com highlights five consumer trends based on 16 underlying megatrends. The five trends include three that involve consumer interactions: interactive campaigns that require customers to exert effort to show that they are part of a chosen few; a nuanced use of omnipresence in order to be present to the right customer at the right place and at the right time, and new ways of communicating value.

In the area of managing omnipresence, trendwatching points out a new app called Attention, which can use your mobile phone activities to pinpoint boredom with 85% accuracy. Once boredom is detected, the app from Barcelona’s Telefonica recommends content from Buzzfeed. Trendwatching also extolls the collaboration between Antwerp’s Hotel Banks and French fashion brand Pimkie, providing a mini fashion bar in hotel rooms. The clothes are tailored to the activities and weather in the area and the hotel provides a dedicated fashion concierge.

Trendwatching’s two other featured trends are the relevance of corporate culture to brand building, and the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in improving the customer experience. Cognitoys, powered by IBM Watson, a learning system made famous by its win on the US game show Jeopardy powers, promises a toy that will evolve with its child owner. For the adults, email plug in Paribus will automatically scan email purchase receipts and email the retailer when it detects that a price match claim can be made. Paribus takes a 25% commission and the buyer receives a refund he would likely otherwise not have even know he qualified for.

Social and lifestyle trends, increased concern for social responsibility and technological breakthroughs seem to be the key factors driving consumer trends.

Consumer Tech

In the world of consumer tech, Dave Johnson shares his forecasts for 2016 on CBS Moneywatch. He names 2015 as the year of peak phone screen size and points to battery life and charging as the next area of improvement in smart phones. Qualcomm’s quick charge already offers 30 minute charging while Storedot announced plans to have a slim battery offering a full charge in 30 seconds before the end of 2016.

Johnson also predicts that virtual reality (VR) will go mainstream when the gold standard in VR, Oculus Rift finally hits the market in the first quarter of 2016. Other choices will include HTC Vive (a gaming headset), Samsung Gear VR and Microsoft’s Hololens. He predicts laptops and desktops will be increasingly marginalized, smartwatches will continue to flounder, passwords will become obsolete, and mobile payment will proliferate.

In fact, UK-based market research firm Juniper Research also believes 2016 will be the year for VR and predicts that see on watching a flat TV screen will feel like typing on a type writer. Juniper Research also sees increased use of wearable Tach on the job, but they pinpoint smart glasses, which reportedly helped DHL increase productivity by 25%, as the type of wearable tech most likely to be adopted for business use.

In other news, be prepared to move from wi-fi to li-fi. Two startups, Velmenni and Bytelight are actually already working on transmitting data via LED light.

Forward

So there we are, sideways, shaky, faster, brighter and increasingly connected. Those are the themes for 2016. As science forges onward, uncertainty, inequity, conflict, and increasingly more devastating natural disasters continue to pose challenges.

Frohes Neujahr!

 Zukunft is the German word for future. It is a concatenation of the root words “zu” meaning “to” and “kunft” which comes from the German word “Kommen” meaning “to come”. Hence it literally means what is still to come.

First published 01 January 2016 by The Standard  in the column Integrations by Maria Elena “Maya” Baltazar Herrera.

You can email Maya at [email protected].  Please like the Integrations Manila Facebook page or visit her archives at manilastandardtoday.com/author/maya-baltazar-herrera/ or integrations.tumblr.com

[thevirtualvicar]

Great predictions for 2016

[pjb]

#predictions2016

[theflowerfromjupiter]

Selacia’s 2016 Predictions: Year of Truth and Justice

It has taken a very long time for humanity as a collective to begin facing and openly debating closeted issues of truth and justice. Coming out of the shadows increasingly during 2015, awareness of these themes began reaching a critical mass. Yes, over the centuries we’ve had an endless number of revolutions, atrocities, and wars rooted in these themes. The difference in 2016 is our sheer numbers and a growing acknowledgement of what’s at stake if these issues are not addressed.

Major Opportunities to Shift How We Live Together

Oftentimes the way a year ends sets the stage for the next year. Themes and unresolved issues that reached a boiling point in one year tend to remain front-and-center. This is certainly the case for 2016, a year when we as a collective will have major opportunities to shift how we live together on the Earth.

When we study nature – observing mass species extinction and other human-induced problems like climate change – we have a litmus test of just how precarious life here has become. Climate change, in fact, is among the issues tied to truth and justice.

The whole notion of climate change has been made into a political vehicle, putting a shadow over the truth of what’s going on and delaying constructive action. At the same time, rising sea levels and barren farm fields will potentially become an injustice to millions of poor people around the world. While rich countries may have resources to help cope – at least for a while – the poor have no such options. Cosmic Energies Illuminate Untruths, Injustices

In 2016 cosmic energies will put a growing spotlight on untruths and injustices throughout society. We’ve had a taste of this already, due to the long dance of Uranus-Pluto that has catalyzed a mega reworking of our world.

The needed changes are core-level, impacting how we relate to one another on basic levels. They involve long-established patterns of power mongering, inequality, oppression, and a veiling of information by those in power as a means of control.

Needed societal changes don’t come easily, so there is still a lot to unfold. It’s important that each of us remains strong and in our empowerment. Inner strength and heart-centeredness will be necessary to weather the ups-and-downs. We will need to be present and mindful of what we are creating with our thoughts and actions.

Role of Divine Changemakers

As divine changemakers, we know that we are quantum, creating our future a moment at a time. We stand at the forefront of the massive changes happening now. This is a role encoded within our very DNA. Each of our paths leading up to now, including earlier this life and past lives, has led to this role.

If you felt like you moved through a fiery transformational time in 2015, know that this tempered you and helped you for this next phase. The bigger shifts are not easy to make – you will feel them deeply, often to your core.

Even before 2015, you went through some big changes. On the other side of them now, you are stronger, more whole, more accepting, and more loving. Those qualities are vital for your enlightenment and for the planetary influence your light is to have.

What does this mean? Each time you become more whole and more loving, you help humanity as a whole and raise consciousness across the planet. Do not underestimate the power of this. When you see injustices and lies, remember your role. Do the best you can to embody justice and truth sourced from love.

Be a Neutral Observer

As 2016 progresses, the things that separate people will be in the spotlight. This includes everything from outmoded laws, societal structures, prejudices, and dictatorial regimes. The talk may get loud, the actions messy, as people on both sides of issues resort to fear and finger pointing.

There is good news in this! Loud and messy gets more attention and has the potential for the bigger shifts needed now. Keep that in mind throughout 2016 as things heat up. Rather than go into fear or anger about how long the changes are taking, use each instance to go within and see how the outer may apply to inner changes you can make.

A change in view within can make you more effective and perhaps launch a new element of how you serve in the world. Taking things to the personal level first, rather than being angry at the upside-down world, gives you spiritually-grounded power!

For healing and transformational change, issues must be brought to light and seen for what they are. Do what you can to stay neutral as you process social media discussions and the news. There is a lot of fear in the air – it must be brought to light in order to change the status quo. Inherent to the human condition is a learned fear-based response to the unknown and “outsiders.” This is nothing new of course. What’s different now is the cumulative effect of raised awareness and the numbers of people who are connected in real time to what’s happening globally.

Fear-based labeling of people, religions, and countries must be avoided if we are to have a peaceful world. That’s not always easy, even for those on the path of awakening – the fear and DNA-level prejudicial conditioning is that strong. Everyone has it. Therefore, be watchful for your reactions when you hear about refugees settling into your city or construction nearby of a place of worship involving a faith different from yours.

From a higher perspective, knowing we are eternal beings with many lifetimes before this one, all of us have at some point been a refugee. Even considering this lifetime, if you trace your lineage back far enough, don’t you think some of them were refugees?

Fear and separation have been intertwined forces in our society for thousands of years. As long as people fear their neighbors and view others as outsiders, humanity will remain mired in endless senseless battles. Similarly, an uneducated populace is not equipped to express itself in an empowered way. Uneducated is more than lack of education – it is also misinformation served up by media controlled by the elite.

Divine Changemaker Tips for 2016

As you know, this is not your ordinary life and you have no ordinary life purpose this time either. You are a divine changemaker, choosing to be awake for your biggest adventure yet!

Here are a few tips to help you move through 2016 with empowerment and relative calm. I use the word relative here, as you will of course have ups-and-downs along with stress as your world continues its mega restructuring.

FIRST, know that a time is coming when truth and justice will prevail on Earth. Think quantum and big picture when you consider this. Make allowances for the ripples of seeming setbacks along the way, trusting that love can move even the biggest obstacles. Love is the most powerful alchemy there is. Be relentless with your love.

SECOND, if you find yourself reacting strongly to an injustice in the news, consider that at a DNA level some of your own ancestral injustice issues may be getting stimulated. Go within and explore this. If you sense that your ancestors suffered an injustice and you may be carrying some of their pain in your DNA, seek healing at that level. This will help you and your ancestors.

THIRD, stay in touch with your body and feelings so you can consciously and appropriately respond to life events. You are meant to be alive now, moving through these moments. Your body may sometimes have unusual symptoms as you process things. All of a sudden, for example, you may become tired for no apparent reason. Tune into your body and if you need a short break or rest, take it. Similarly, if you become emotional, check in with yourself to know why. Process the feeling before you engage with the world so you can be clear and effective.

FOURTH, strive to be more discerning. Be your own truth watchdog. Question your questions. Do this for increased discernment and clarification. Example: when something rings true for you and you have received an inner validation that seems to validate that truth, ask more questions.

If something you hear scares you, question why. Higher truths do not generate fear. Reasons you could be scared: (1) the messenger of a truth describes things for manipulative purposes (2) your own fear-based subconscious programming (3) what you heard is only part of the larger story you are not being presented.

Facts are facts. Presentation of facts is another matter. Be mindful as you digest facts to check out underlying meanings and potential agendas. Sometimes a presentation can be skewed so a person or group makes money – convincing you that they are the only ones with the information and you must come to them to have answers or to be safe from some consequence. Be aware.

FIFTH, since truth is a key theme for 2016 – previously hidden truths increasingly coming to light – regularly intend that you discover more of the things that have held you back. Invite spirit’s view of your hidden blocks to enlightenment – including what prevents you from being fully open, loving and compassionate. Include yourself in the picture. You must start with self-love and self-acceptance before you can fully embrace anyone else.

SIXTH, since justice is about fairness and in 2016 more of society’s long-unfair practices will be revealed – look within to understand your personal justice triggers. These may be big or small – like finding out you were paid half the salary of others or feeling that your roommate in the 2-bedroom apartment has the better bedroom. Look at these things. In your outer world during crisis, when you see something unjust, don’t look away and pretend it’s not there. Go to your heart and spirit for a higher view and respond to what you see from that place. Show others what it means to be conscious, awake and heart-centered during crisis.

SEVENTH, no matter how much darkness you encounter, the light is always there. Invite a connection with that light daily, within yourself and within others. Trust that you never walk alone. Spirit is always with you.

___________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2015 by Selacia - author of Earth’s Pivotal Years, healer, and teacher * All Rights Reserved * www.Selacia.com * Feel free to share these articles with your friends and post to your blog or website as long as you include this copyright line and the full article text.

WEB SOURCES

http://spiritlibrary.com/selacia/selacia-s-2016-predictions-year-of-truth-and-justice

http://earthspivotalyears.com/divine-changemakers/selacias-2016-predictions