These estimates are not fanciful theories; they are the result of a scientific study made by the famous economist Cherne, director of the American research institute. As for the occasion of this study: twelve years ago, just after the Second World War, Cherne published a book entitled "The Rest of Your Life," in which he foretold what living in America would come to after the war; and strangely enough, 74% of his predictions came true — which is what led "Coronet" magazine now to put to him the question we are about to answer. It is worth mentioning that Cherne's institute spends six million dollars a year on its researches and studies. We are dealing, then, with a scientific study, parts of which will shock you and parts of which will gladden your heart; but it will doubtless help you to order your life for this predicted future, and its application to our own lives in the Arab countries will hold in the proportion that our way of living approaches that of the American people. — What, then, is your world in the year 1965?
The standard of living: Your standard of living will rise beyond anything you dream of; even if you are a factory worker, you will work only four days a week. The sun, most probably, will warm your house and light it. Cooling will be as widespread in homes as heating is today. Most houses will be bought ready-made; furniture will by its nature be light in weight and easy to use, and "plastic" will be much used in making it.
In most houses the sitting room, dining room, and kitchen will be united in one general room — at the pressing of certain buttons the
shape of the room changes according to need — and the kitchen will shrink as cooking shrinks and nourishing cereals spread. As for housework, it will be asked of the household itself, and every electrical and automatic convenience will be at hand.
Conditions of work and wages: Your income is expected to rise 20% above what it is now. The proportion of those drawing pensions, or unemployment compensation, will grow. You will more probably work outside the cities, especially if you work in electrical or chemical plants or in yards for building aircraft — these will have priority in industry. And if you are a secretary or a clerk, you will need special training on the many automatic machines. It will be easier for you to deal with your manager, for he will not be the stern employer you know now, since most companies will have become joint-stock concerns.. And so unions and federations will spread among all classes of workers for the defense of their rights.
The state of health: Your savings will increase 2% over the 7% that the American family puts by today; as for income taxes, their increase will be at the rate of 20% or more, for life in America in 1965 will know flourishing and prosperity, and you will pay the price of everything you buy "by installments."
The small car for inside the cities ..