The Quizmaster's 2022 Predictions

+40
Welcome to the first annual Official Predictions™ of the JetPunk quizmaster, in which this flawed prognosticator tries to make sense of the world (and his personal life) by guessing what the future will hold.
Because prediction is hard and I'm not good at it, I've included a percent chance that I think the event will happen. This will also help me to grade my predictions at the end of the year. Note: I will be the sole judge of these predictions. So, here they are, in order of likelihood, my 2022 predictions.
99% – World population increases in 2022
97% – My property taxes go up at my current residence
95% – I still live in the Seattle area
94% – Average home price in the U.S. increases during 2022 according to Zillow
93% – Seattle July 2021 estimated population higher than 2020 census
93% – Mark Zuckerburg still CEO of Meta
92% – Vladimir Putin still President of Russia
90% – Kim Jong-un still leader of North Korea
90% – More than 400,000 JetPunk quizzes taken in a single day in 2022
90% – My parents move into in their new house
88% – Joe Biden still President of the U.S.
87% – I still live in my current residence
87% – Elon Musk still CEO of Tesla
85% – More JetPunk quizzes taken in 2022 than 2021
85% – JetPunk releases a new minigame
85% – I still moderate quizzes nearly every day
85% – U.S. trade deficit with China higher in 2022 than 2021
85% – Queen Elizabeth still alive
80% – Chicago July 2021 estimated population lower than 2020 census
80% – U.S. official unemployment below 5%
80% – A superhero movie is the #1 grossing movie for the entire year worldwide
78% – I travel outside the United States
75% – Republicans win the Senate and House
75% – Dr. Fauci still Chief Medical Advisor to the President
75% – At least 10% of people at my local grocery store still wearing masks
70% – Tesla stock declines in 2022
70% – Chicago has more murders in 2022 than 2021
70% – Boris Johnson still Prime Minister of the UK
65% – Novak Djokovic wins at least one Grand Slam tennis event
60% – Jair Bolsonaro re-elected
50% – Mask mandate still in place on U.S. flights
50% – Joe Rogan still on Spotify
50% – U.S. inflation (trailing 12 months) above 5%
50% – At least one Starbucks in Seattle gets unionized
50% – Lewis Hamilton wins the F1 championship
50% – JetPunk releases a new quiz format
50% – I travel to a country I've never been to before
50% – Price of oil (WTI) over $100/barrel
50% – Door Dash stock down at least 80% in 2022
50% – AMD higher market cap than Intel
45% – extremeweatherwatch.com gets more than 5 million page views for the year
45% – WHO designates another Variant of Concern
45% – Donald Trump officially announces he is running for President
40% – Aiden Hutchinson drafted #1 in the NFL draft
40% – Quizmaster releases 100 or more new quizzes
35% – Michigan beats Ohio State in football
35% – Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade
30% – Russia invades Ukrainian territory
30% – Roger Federer retires
30% – Gold over $2000/oz
30% – JetPunk adds another featured language
25% – WHO officially declares the pandemic over
25% – Ron DeSantis announces he is running for President
25% – Seattle still requires vaccine or negative test to go into restaurants
25% – Elon Musk is world's richest person
25% – Eviction moratorium still in place in Seattle
25% – Another country besides El Salvador adopts Bitcoin as an official currency
25% – Average price of gas in the U.S. above $4/gallon
25% – Aidan Hutchinson drafted by the Detroit Lions
25% – Macron reelected as President of France
25% – I make a private real estate investment
25% – New record set for world's heaviest pumpkin
20% – Bitcoin finishes year above $100,000
20% – Indoor mask mandate still in place in Seattle
20% – Gamestop stock price above $100
20% – Lebron James retires from basketball
20% – U.S. enters recession at some point during the year
20% – More than 500,000 quizzes taken in a single day in 2022
20% – Capital added, removed, or name change on "Capitals of the World" quiz
20% – I start a new website which gets at least 100,000 total page views
20% – I climb a blue route at Seattle Bouldering Project
15% – I buy a new car
15% – U.S. inflation (trailing 12 months) above 10%
15% – Golden State Warriors win the NBA championship
15% – At least 10% of people in my neighborhood still wearing masks outdoors
15% – Seattle has at least one day of 100 °F or higher
15% – Joe Rogan interviews Donald Trump
12% – There is a country name change on the "Countries of the World" quiz
10% – U.S. Covid deaths higher in 2022 than 2021
10% – Russia captures Kiev
10% – Chicago declares bankruptcy
10% – Islamist terrorist attack in Europe or North America killing more than 100 people
10% – Death Valley breaks its record of 129.9 °F 54.4 °C
10% – I shoot a hole-in-one in disc golf
8% – China invades Taiwan mainland
8% – Lockdown in a Chinese city for a virus other than Covid
8% – Average price of gas in the U.S. above $5/gallon
8% – Country added or removed from "Countries of the World" quiz
7% – Kamala Harris nominated to Supreme Court
7% – Major sex scandal involving Joe Biden
7% – U.S. suffers 1000 or more military deaths in a new conflict
7% – 9.0 or higher earthquake anywhere on Earth
7% – More than 100 people die in a single hurricane in the US
5% – JetPunk is sold to a new owner
5% – Someone beats Usain Bolt's world record in the 100m dash
2% – Nuclear detonation kills at least 1000 people
0.5% – 9.0 or higher earthquake on the Cascade fault
0.2% – Proof of extra-terrestrial intelligent life discovered
0.1% – Asteroid impact kills more than 1000 people on Earth
0% – Cyprus added to "Countries of Europe" quiz
Make sure to let me know what you think in the comments below!
+17
Level ∞
Feb 8, 2022
Note: These are very much "shooting from the hip" predictions. I did consult current data (for example, the record of the Golden State Warriors), but I didn't look at prediction markets since that would spoil the fun.

I also seriously modified my Covid predictions in the last few days. The political tide has really shifted quickly. But now the blog is published and they are set in stone.

One meta-prediction: Some of these will look really dumb by the end of the year.

+2
Level 73
Feb 8, 2022
Interesting blog! I had a similar idea and I had written some of it, but in a much rudimentary way, so I am glad you made it.

I think I didn't read anything about water problems. Maybe I missed some. Anyway, the famous Bulgarian seer Baba Vanga made some of the predictions:

1. Water scarcity increases

2. Europe sees a war from east (Russia invading Ukraine perhaps?)

3. Asteroid carrying aliens or something like that

4. Another virus found frozen in Siberia

These seem quite horrible predictions!

+1
Level 65
Feb 8, 2022
Except the 3rd one, then Aficionado can make them flags!
+2
Level 73
Feb 9, 2022
Not happening. Ever since I watched Mars Attacks, I couldn't even imagine myself meeting an alien face-to-face.
+1
Level 31
Jun 13, 2022
The problem with these fortune tellers is they give answers so vaguely, it could apply to literally anything or anyone.
+2
Level 38
Feb 8, 2022
5% --- MrBlogger will be able to make blogs
+6
Level 75
Feb 8, 2022
I mean, you're at level 38. 40 isn't that far away.

You can do it in one day if you grind country quizzes using user stats page.

+1
Level 68
Dec 26, 2022
Apparently it was that far away, they are still at level 38
+2
Level 71
Feb 8, 2022
That was a lot of fun to read through! I'd have to say I mostly agree with these predictions. I'm a bit puzzled on why you say there's only a 25% chance that Elon Musk remains the world's richest person though? He has a large lead over Bezos and doesn't look likely to slow down any time soon. I'm by no means an expert on this, but based on the trends I feel like Musk is likely to be the world's richest person for a while.
+18
Level 75
Feb 8, 2022
Obviously, it's because JetPunk has a 75% chance of becoming the most valuable company and buying all of Tesla, making Dan the wealthiest person.
+1
Level ∞
Feb 9, 2022
Tesla stock is very volatile. It could easily lose 50% or more of its value in 2022. And someone else could rocket upwards.
+1
Level 74
Feb 9, 2022
Tesla stock is overvalued
+8
Level 77
Feb 9, 2022
I dislike the concept of Joe Biden having even the least scandalous sex.
+2
Level 68
Feb 9, 2022
He does have kids...
+12
Level 77
Feb 9, 2022
Doesn’t mean I have to like it!
+2
Level 68
Feb 9, 2022
Only 15% for Seattle to have a 100F day? Feels like it should be higher
+2
Level ∞
Feb 9, 2022
Since 1894, there have only been 4 years where the temperature reached 100 degrees or higher.
+8
Level 67
Feb 9, 2022
If there is a 5% chance that JetPunk is sold to a new owner, then the chance of Cyprus added to "Countries of Europe" quiz is definitely greater than 0%
+24
Level 81
Feb 9, 2022
Naw, QM would just have a stipulation in the contract, as a condition of sale, that Cyprus not be added to the "Countries of Europe" quiz.

If the hypothetical buyer doesn't agree to that, then the sale is off. Ya' gotta' draw the line somewhere.

+13
Level ∞
Feb 9, 2022
Exactly.
+11
Level 57
Feb 9, 2022
I'd first have to deal with the emotional sadness of Quizmaster no longer owning JetPunk, which would be bad enough. But the new owner making Cyprus a part of Europe.......... I can't even bear the thought of it.
+1
Level 65
Feb 9, 2022
Making Cyprus a part of Europe? That's like making apples a fruit!
+4
Level 63
Jul 26, 2022
Making Cyprus a part of Europe? That's like making a Lamborghini a fruit!
+10
Level 59
Feb 9, 2022
bro what do you have against Chicago
+9
Level ∞
Feb 9, 2022
Beautiful city. Terrible governance.
+1
Level 68
Feb 9, 2022
As a Brit I believe that there's a 70% chance that the conservatives are still in power by the end of the year rather than Boris Johnson. I just can't see Boris being in the position he is for longer than a month at the moment rather than a whole year.
+2
Level 76
Feb 9, 2022
it's seemed impossible for him to hang on for 2-3 years now, and he's kept on managing it
+1
Level 15
Nov 3, 2022
....and he's gone. and his successor's gone too
+2
Level 72
Feb 9, 2022
I'm assuming you meant to write Ron DeSantis? And Aidan Hutchinson?
+1
Level 74
Feb 9, 2022
Yeah it is Aidan not Aiden
+2
Level 70
Feb 9, 2022
Do you hate Brazil or something like that? That is the only explanation to the % of Bolsonaro being reelected lol literally anyone is better than him. This is the one I am most wishing for you to be wrong, of all the predictions.
+1
Level 43
Feb 9, 2022
Literally anyone is better than him? Literally anyone is worse than him, and that’s kinda hard, but...
+1
Level 70
Feb 9, 2022
I'm not up to go on political rantings on this site, but lol the only one who may not be better than him is the mallard. Literally anyone could handle with the country's economics, politics and social aspects. We had 3 full years of no government, 3 full years of nothing but disgrace. And 2 full years of them sabotaging all health measures against covid. This was a government based on scorched earth tactics. Nothing can be worse than that.
+1
Level 43
Feb 9, 2022
We won’t argue here, so I’ll say the last thing about it now. Actually we have a big lack of options. I would never vote on Lula, so the only option would be more 4 years of Bolsonaro, until we “have a president” lol. Although the many stupidities he said about Pandemics, he authorized the most of vaccines, and alerted the mayors for don’t do Carnival celebrations due to the suspect of COVID, that was confirmed exactly on the posterior day of Carnival. Although I don’t have age for voting, my only option if I couldn’t spoil the vote, would be him. To sum up, we don’t have good options for go.

This blog is not a political debate, neither a buy of votes, so I’m stopping by here. Just the future will say what we will suffer next lol

maybe I wouldn’t be able to handle with all that together 😝

+1
Level 73
Mar 25, 2022
Lula presidente!
+1
Level 43
Dec 7, 2022
No, thanks.
+1
Level 55
May 17, 2022
Honestly, we gotta bring back Dom Pedro
+5
Level 64
Feb 9, 2022
Macron also has 60 to 70% in my eyes. Probably even better than Bolsonaro.
+1
Level 74
Feb 9, 2022
Definitely. Polls suggests a 25% easy lead in first round, and haven't seen him below 55-60% for second round. Will definitely beat Zemmour in face-face, probably defeat Le Pen and maybe lose to Pecresse. In no case under 50%...
+1
Level ∞
Feb 9, 2022
Yes. I was wrong. See above.
+2
Level 70
Feb 9, 2022
I hope to see a follow up to this at the end of the year :D

I'm surprised to see DoorDash so high on the list. I worked in a restaurant for a few months last year and on most days I'd guess that 80% of our traffic was through food delivery companies.

Also, maybe I'm pessimistic, but I fully expect another Variant of Concern to be identified this year, and I'll be surprised if much of North America isn't back to masks and vaccine mandates at this time next year. I hope I am wrong on my prediction.

I have to agree on the temperature prediction. Last summer was awful for heat in the Pacific Northwest area, but I doubt we'll see such a major heatwave again in the region at least a decade (even in an aggressive climate change scenario).

+1
Level 80
Feb 9, 2022
I love this. One thing is that 10% should wear masks in your grocery *store*
+3
Level 70
Feb 9, 2022
I mostly agree, except for Macron (I'd put him 75%+), Bolsonaro (35% imo) and Russia invading Ukraine (75% imo)
+7
Level 51
Feb 26, 2022
Ominously Accurate
+2
Level 63
Jul 26, 2022
#Gassuthetimetraveller
+7
Level 73
Feb 9, 2022
Too quizmaster centric. 😜
+1
Level 82
Feb 10, 2022
I'm happy to take those odds and bet against the major Biden sex scandal.
+1
Level 82
Feb 10, 2022
Also the Kamala Harris on USSC thing, same odds.
+1
Level ∞
Feb 24, 2022
If it happened, it would probably be based on unwanted touching or past incidents - not on a current extramarital affair.

In my view, these scandals are somewhat manufactured.

If the party decides he's a liability, they may turn on him like they turned on Cuomo. On the other hand, they may just use his age as an excuse for him to step down. In any case, I think it's quite unlikely, thus the 7% chance.

Thinking you're right though - it's probably too high.

+5
Level 72
Feb 10, 2022
If Cyprus is part of Asia, then Trinidad and Tobago has much more of a claim to being in South America
+1
Level 55
May 17, 2022
It's weird how parts of South America are farther north than parts of North America.
+1
Level 69
Feb 12, 2022
12% - Joe Biden is still titled as the President of the United States of America.

To be clear this is not supposed to be taken as a political comment.

+1
Level 60
Feb 14, 2022
I'll take your 6:1 on QE2 being alive
+1
Level 68
Sep 9, 2022
Yeahhh about that.....
+2
Level 71
Feb 17, 2022
AMD now has a higher market cap than Intel :)
+4
Level 70
Feb 23, 2022
And Ukraine is being invaded by Russia
+1
Level ∞
Feb 24, 2022
I need to fix that one. I should have said excluding the value of Xilinx. I'll update that at the end of the year.
+2
Level 41
Feb 24, 2022
well you were right about ukraine and russia :D
+13
Level ∞
Feb 24, 2022
I said 30% chance and it already happened less than a month from the prediction. I wouldn't say I was right at all.
+3
Level 63
Feb 25, 2022
I am shocked there aren’t more people here berating you about the Russia/Ukraine prediction.
+8
Level 51
Feb 26, 2022
I came here just to see...
+4
Level 68
Mar 18, 2022
So much for that 30% of Russia invading Ukraine. And now that 10% for Russia capturing Kiev.
+3
Level 64
Mar 23, 2022
Putin doesn't care about your 2% odds...
+3
Level 57
Mar 23, 2022
Average price of gas in the U.S is above $4/gallon
+1
Level 64
Apr 28, 2022
Much higher. I saw gas prices at like $7 a gallon near the Nevada-California border recently. Makes me glad I don't live there
+1
Level 64
May 10, 2022
Here it's about 4.5 per gallon tho
+1
Level 31
Apr 19, 2022
I think the possibility of Russia capture Kiev should be higher.Maybe 45 %?
+1
Level 68
Jul 11, 2022
In retrospect, yeah. But considering this was written before the invasion, I think the current 10 percent is a pretty good reflection. Also, given Russia failed to capture Kiev in it's first attempt, I don't think it too probable that it will manage to do so by the end of this year.
+2
Level 64
Apr 28, 2022
Central African Republic just made Bitcoin legal tender.
+1
Level 56
May 10, 2022
word search!!!
+1
Level 56
May 10, 2022
also 85% – Queen Elizabeth still alive should be 100%
+1
Level 56
May 10, 2022
and uhhh 30% – Russia invades Ukrainian territory
+1
Level 63
Jul 7, 2022
30% chance of russia invades ukraine

- sixteen days later....

+2
Level 75
Sep 9, 2022
You still think so?
+1
Level 56
Oct 28, 2022
This aged well
+1
Level 56
Dec 3, 2022
well maybe not 100%...
+2
Level 21
May 12, 2022
When he predicts Russia invading Ukraine.
+1
Level 64
May 16, 2022
It wasn't hard to guess, Putin stuck as many troops as possible on their border, he made it obvious he wanted armed conflict
+1
Level 21
May 12, 2022
Anyone have any quiz ideas, i want to make one but idk what to make
+1
Level 55
May 17, 2022
0.2% – Proof of extra-terrestrial intelligent life discovered

I like how we specified intelligence here, but wouldn't that be hilarious? We discover a bunch of alien dudes in outer space, but they're all dumber than rocks.

+1
Level 63
Jul 26, 2022
intelligent as opposed to bacteria or viruses discovered on an asteroid somewhere
+1
Level 35
May 17, 2022
JetPunk being sold to a new owner means new rules. :( Nooooooooooooooooooooo. I just got to this website and everything changes.......
+1
Level 64
May 17, 2022
Elonk Musk is gonna buy JetPunk, let's face it.

(People who take this seriously it's a joke)

+2
Level 54
May 20, 2022
I'd like to see a Jet Punk app.
+2
Level 64
Jun 3, 2022
Probably doesn't count for the category but yesterday Turkey officially changed it's name to Türkyie.
+2
Level 53
Jun 18, 2022
Is it still pronounced the same? Everytime i see it i think 'turk-i-yee'
+1
Level 70
Jun 11, 2022
Average price of gas in the U.S went above above $5/gallon today
+3
Level 63
Jul 2, 2022
It's very interesting to go back and read the predictions from February 2022 in July lol.
+2
Level 63
Jul 6, 2022
Wow, you think that there is more chance of aliens being discovered or an asteroid killing 1000's than Cyprus being in Europe??!!

Good call.

+2
Level 71
Jul 7, 2022
Boris Johnson just resigned. Looks like that one turned out to be wrong too. Roe v Wade as well.
+1
Level 50
Jul 21, 2022
JetPunk has the potential to be sold?
+2
Level 68
Aug 29, 2022
Wrong about Boris!
+2
Level 68
Aug 29, 2022
AND GAS!
+1
Level 50
Sep 23, 2022
And Roger Federer. (Kind of. He had it at 30%)
+3
Level 80
Sep 8, 2022
Guys, Queen Elizabeth just died after being queen basically since my grandparents were born. I’m sorry QM but that prediction has not come through 😢
+2
Level 15
Sep 8, 2022
guess she took the 15%. RIP Queen Elizabeth II . Long live King Charles III!
+1
Level 68
Oct 11, 2022
Ian came close to the 7%
+1
Level 60
Oct 25, 2022
New JP quiz format :)
+3
Level 66
Dec 5, 2022
I reckon it's about time to review?
+1
Level 74
Jan 1, 2023
Will we get a recap of this?