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Wanderer IIIcEarthEarth has changed a lot during the past fifty years. One of the most noteworthy changes has been the gradually diminishing importance of international borders. Nowadays you can, if you have the will and the money, travel fairly freely around the globe. The power that previously rested on the governments has now been transferred to the large corporations, who largely control the governments. On the other hand, large gaps between countries have emerged, because of differences in the distribution of wealth. Megacorporations control the economy of Earth and abuse the developing countries and their natural resources. It is practically impossible for a man to be able to influence his social environment without belonging to the payroll of a corporation. Elections are possibly rigged, except for maybe the most developed and unified countries. The Earth has a common puppet government, who has about as much power as the UN in the late 20th century. The Earth Government should, in principle, rule the Earth, but in practice this is done by Megacorporations or individual strong governments. The Earth Government can express wishes, but can not really control the megacorporations. Megacorporations often run their own armies and cities around the world. With their tax income the megacorporations can subsidize the financially weaker governments and thus control the whole countries towards their own benefit. Countries without strong corporate legislation tend to be more violent and restless than others. Inequality between diverse population groups is pronounced. Persons who do not work for megacorporations have to come by through whatever, often illegal, means. Very few countries anymore have social welfare or any other government subsidiaries. Corporate employees, on the other hand live in corporate owned cities, hotels and enjoy benefits such as pension, commodities, medical care, nutrition, weddings and funerals. Corporate employees are but in practical definition owned by the corporation. Ever since the oil resources were depleted, traveling has become increasingly expensive. People have dispensed with their cars, which nowadays serve as shelters for the homeless. For the ordinary workforce, using the train is the only option for traveling. Those cars that still are in use, are fueled by either electricity or alcohol. Every once in a while, you may see a gang leader kickstart an old combustion engine and cruise through the city, but only the rich have this option. Ballistic planes have made intercontinental travel extremely fast, but they cost more to use than most people can afford. Leaving the planet is even more expensive. Enormous ships cruise the oceans, but even the tourist class is only used by the wealthy. Earth is mostly heavily polluted, the natural resources have been depleted to the last drop in most countries. The earth is being used to and beyond it's maximum capacity. Madagascar and a few of the Pacific islands have been preserved in pristine condition as holiday resorts for the corporation executives. In other locales pollution and climatic changes have been fatal to the once so fertile nature. Erosion has wiped out entire coast lines as the ocean level has risen about 5' since the level of 1997. The sea level is expected to rise another 5' by the year 2070. This would mean a catastrophe to the unprotected coastal areas and most islands. Earth is a melting pot of diverse religions and cults. Perhaps it is a consequence of the change in society, the numerous wars and pollution that people seek safety. As a consequence, the prattlers of Jahve have become the world's most popular religion. The Moslems have spread efficiently and still maintain a strong position. Animism still intrigue people and Zen-Buddhism was elevated to fashionable a few years ago. People seem to need assurance about their heavenly share as the world around them crumbles down. Few people on Earth still maintain a positive outlook towards the future. It is therefore that migrating to space is reality for those who can afford it. On the other hand, those who have spent extended times in space have come to think of Earth as a long lost paradise, the one and only place in the Universe where man belongs. The main population however look longingly towards a future of mapping and exploring space.
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