I have a heuristic/rule of thumb: If someone predicts the future
   and says, "In 10-15 years..." or "within 20-25 years", I look at
   their age. Ok, they'll live to see it. Hence the reason why the
   data manages to fit their lifespan.

   Most predictions of the future don't happen. That much is
   statistically true. No matter who makes the prediction. [that's
   if you believe statistics; for me, it depends on the data
   sources and the reasoning behind the study]

   So, I'm skeptical about "near future" predictions. I'm also
   skeptical of predictions where "doom and gloom" just *happen* to
   take place at a point in the future where WE STILL HAVE TIME TO
   FIX IT.

   It's a form of plausible hyperbole. Nothing wrong with it in the
   grand scheme of things I suppose; it accomplishes a lot - gets
   people moving. But... still founded on untruth and hyperbole.