I’m with you on that one. I’m neither young nor retired, but I suspect my 2 year old youngest nephew may end his days seeing the entire English-speaking world reduced to nothing but a patchwork of micro city states, all plying one against each other. Sure philosophies and technology will grow, but they will all be pawns of the greater powers. At beast they may confederate into multiple Switzerlands - prosperous yes, and self-governing yes, but very inconsequential and at the mercy of the dominant powers of the day.
I have resolved now to encourage my nephew and any kids I may have to start learning German. kind of expect the West to be led by some Franco-German combination. We will be back to the early Middle Ages with the Frankish Empire leading the “West” and Charlemagne etc., and Britain was just a patchwork of micro fiefdoms constantly at war.
I guess when you identify with two small islands your whole life, you can believe Germany and France could rule the world.
The US, China, Russia, and India might think a bit differently. And, incidentally, it’s been proven twice that such a prophesy can’t come true.