2026 My Predictions

 A Reflection on 2025, Predictions for the Year Ahead, and Ideas for a Stronger Society

I’m writing this blog to reflect on 2025, share my thoughts on what 2026 may hold, and lay out some conceptual building blocks for conversations that I believe are critical for the future of our society.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said:
"Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, great minds discuss ideas."

 With that in mind, let’s start by looking back—then look forward.

A Quick Glance at 2025

2025 was a challenging year for our business, primarily driven by external political forces.

• We faced a 50% tariff on goods from India, which impacts nearly our entire product line—with no resolution in sight.
  

• Science funding was significantly cut (NSF, NIH).
  

• The Department of Education was dismantled.
  

• Most concerning, public trust in science and peer-reviewed research eroded.
  
  

Despite these headwinds, we used the year to invest in our foundation:

• We moved into a new building.
  

• We implemented a smarter, more efficient ERP system.
  

• We adopted the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), focusing our operations and vision.
  
  

These were substantial wins that will support us well in the years ahead.

Family: On the personal side, 2025 was full of joy—marked by travel, adventure, learning, and growth.

• The kids are thriving.
  

• We explored the country and the world together.
  

• Kelly continues to grow and thrive in her career and passions.
  

• And I’ve found a new passion myself: swimming.
  
  

So while the year came with its fair share of bumps and bruises, my family is well—and that means I’m doing well too.

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Looking Ahead to 2026

Here are a few predictions and observations I believe may shape the year:

• Tariffs: I believe the Supreme Court will overturn the tariffs. The administration may shift blame to the Court, calling it the end of a key revenue stream. But in truth, it could provide political cover for walking away from what may go down as one of the largest financial missteps in modern U.S. history. I hope Congress reclaims its rightful role in revenue generation—it is their legislative power, not the president’s.
  

• Interest Rates: I expect the Fed to cut interest rates at least once, if not twice.
  

• Congressional Shift: The House of Representatives may flip to a Democratic majority, potentially restoring some balance and reducing the political turbulence.
  

• Wealth Disparity: Economic inequality is likely to grow. Inflation—currently concealed by the spending of households earning $500,000+—will become more apparent and painful for most Americans.
  

• Corporate Efficiency: Companies will continue optimizing operations, generating more revenue per full-time employee. But profits at mid-sized and smaller firms may still suffer.
  

• Hiring Freeze: Hiring will likely slow across the board, strained by tariffs, inflation, and accelerating AI integration.
  

• Higher Education: Colleges and universities will begin pivoting toward more practical, forward-looking degree paths. Think: game development merged with critical thinking and business strategy.
  

• Robotics & AI: Businesses leveraging ERP systems, robotics, AI, and data analytics will gain a major edge. Keep an eye on Amazon—it underperformed in 2025 (trading at a 33x P/E), but its historical average of 58x suggests a potential surge ahead.
  

• Addiction Products: It’s time we call certain digital products what they are—a health threat. Doom scrolling may soon carry a Surgeon General warning. Prediction markets and betting apps may face regulatory crackdowns. Yet, AI-driven digital companions will only grow more compelling—and potentially dangerous—for vulnerable users.
  

• Space: The privatization of space and a renewed global space race will reawaken public interest in science and engineering. This could be a cultural turning point.
  
  

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My 2026 Scorecard

A tool I’m using to track how my predictions play out:

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A Call for a New Framework

We need to rethink how we govern and operate in a world that is changing faster than ever.

• We must fund science and develop technology that can measure—and mitigate—the psychological damage caused by dopamine addiction and doom scrolling.

• If you’re using a product and not paying for it directly, chances are—you are the product. These platforms often profit from your attention, data, and behavior. That’s why they require strict and thoughtful regulation to protect users and ensure transparency.

• We need a modern, intelligent form of universal income—one that supports those in need without discouraging ambition or innovation

• A federal division of AI experts should be formed—dedicated to understanding and managing AI’s impact on society, security, and humanity at large.

• Most critically, the greatest national security threat we face today is the inability to distribute accurate, factual, and reliable information to the public. Without truth, democracy cannot function.
  

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Here’s to a 2026 full of clarity, courage, and meaningful progress.

Thanks for the read.

- Ben