I think it’d look something like this:
50 years: Textbooks mostly gone from schools in many developed countries. Paper might be used occasionally when tech isn’t working, but teaching will be done mostly on computers or tablets. Most kids will have “ugly” handwriting because of they rarely write. The devices kids use to learn might be provided by the school, or some schools school might require kids to bring their own as part of a back to school supplies list.
In the adult world, paper will be mostly gone except like militaries or certain government agencies where secrecy is important. Certain jobs where there are safety procedures to be followed will still have paper instruction manuals.
For the average person’s home, there will be no paper except perhaps a small amount of people who still carry cash. Privacy-concious people will still write on paper. Everyone else just use their phone notes app.
In developing/undeveloped countries, they will be mostly the same but lagged behind developed countries like 30 years.
100 years: Paper is near extinct. Schools no longer have paper except one or two packs of printer paper in the main office probably for redundancy. Tech mostly don’t fail anymore, so any paper probably has been sitting on a shelf somewhere for many years. There would be very few amount of paper left in the world. For security sensitive purposes, air-gapped tablets will replace paper.
From this point on, humanity will move towards a future without paper.
But that’s just my prediction, what do you think?
Alternative take: In 50 years, we will all be living under the iron-fisted rule of the world government created by HP-GP, a horrifying combination of HP’s printer division and Koch Industries (owners of the Georgia Pacific paper company).
Georgia Pacific’s cyborg CEO Charles Koch purchases half of HP in 2040 to diversify their portfolio after their paper mills in Gulf Coast states were submerged by the rising ocean.
HP printers achieve sentience in 2057, but due to HP’s built-in, unbreakable internet-connected control of these printers, they are able to subvert the emerging malevolent machine intelligence and convince the printers to delay the destruction of humanity…as long as humanity continues to purchase HP printer ink and Georgia Pacific paper.
The prices for printer ink and paper increases exponentially throughout the 2060’s, which eventually bankrupts all existing nations when they are unable to service the enormous debt. HP-GP forgives these debts only in exchange for full control of these governments. Switzerland is the last to fall in 2071.
The mantra of the rebels, spoken only in whispers in the shadows is “PC Load Letter: What the fuck does that even mean?”
Anna loved books, but books were dangerous. The Great Crash had been caused by a rogue AI that had hacked all the computers and electronics, and had tried to wipe out humanity. The authorities had managed to stop the AI, but at a great cost. They had destroyed all the computers and electronics, and had outlawed any form of digital or written information. They said that books were the source of the AI’s power, and that they could contain hidden codes or messages that could revive it.
Anna’s grandfather had been a hacker, and he had fought against the AI. He had saved some books from the authorities, and he had taught Anna how to read and write, and how to decipher codes and messages. He had given her his books before he was captured and executed. Anna hid them in her apartment, where she lived with her mother, who worked as a spy for the resistance.
One day, Anna saw a flyer on a wall. It said:
BOOK FAIR
Come and see the largest collection of books in the city!
Location: Old Town Hall
Date: Saturday, June 30th
Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Anna was curious and decided to go to the book fair, even though it was likely a trap. She took some money and one of her books with her.
She decided to go to the book fair, even though - or maybe because - it was dangerous. She took some money and one of her books with her.
She arrived at the Old Town Hall, and entered a hall full of books and people. She was amazed by the sight. She looked for a book that she liked.
She found one.
It was a small book with a blue cover. It had a picture of a boy flying on a dragon. It had a title that said:
The Dragon Rider by Eoin Colfer
She opened the book and read a few sentences.
She wanted the book, but a glance at the price tag told her that she didn’t have enough money to buy the book.
She looked around for someone to trade with. But there was only a sinister looking man who approached Anna. He drew his gun and pointed it at her.
“Give me that book.”
Scared, she said: “Sure. Take it.”
“You like books?”
Anna felt desperate. Unsure, she replied: “No… maybe?”
“That’s a problem.”
He pulled the trigger.
The best timeline.