Abstract
James Martin has predicted growing impoverishment of the poorest 4th world alongside eco-affluence in other regions, including the emergence of trans-human life forms. The present paper places Martin's analysis in the context of other perspectives, frameworks and studies. Together, these suggest a solid consensus about the problems that humans will collectively face in the 21st century. It is then suggested that the predicted growth of poverty and inequality involves several self-reinforcing processes that are likely to accelerate that growth unless remedial action is taken.