Attention Futurists... Are we heading into a "Brave New World", or a fearful one?

My 17 year old son does not want to drive. He doesn’t want a license nor even to get his permit. That used to bother me. I remember stealing mothers car at 14 years old. But my son wants no part of it. He is convinced of, and I now concede to, Google cars providing for anything he would ever need by the time he reaches the corporate world in ten years… or so. We don’t even have Google cars in our city. But he’s convinced they are coming to his life soon. Is he an idealist, or a realist?

The NSA is spying on us. But will Google glasses and GoPro Quad Copters even the playing field? Will the internet ever provide for democratic voting without political adhoc?

A friend told me he thinks that within fifty years, that the only time people will actually work, will be in virtual environments, while being transported to reality destination vacations. Climbing the mountain will become vacation. But work will be accomplished while the Google (style) transportation gets you there. Really?

How fast is the world changing? Is it for the good, or to the detriment of humanity? Is the new world ahead to be approached bravely, or fearfully?