I guess, my bet would be VR then (third time's the charm!), of the matrix/neuromancer/etc "get a brain implant, plug in and forget the outside world" kind, with

I guess, my bet would be VR then (third time's the charm!), of the matrix/neuromancer/etc "get a brain implant, plug in and forget the outside world" kind, with a focus on people living in VR for sustained periods of time. Technology-wise, we seem to be making steps of getting there, a large part of the population seem to be "living" in virtual worlds anyway (through their phones) - and my hunch is that if the world will become progressively nasty due to wars, pandemics, climate change and massive social inequality with no hope of change, there will be growing demand to just to be able to escape all of it and try a better life "somewhere else". The companion technology might be neuromancer-style "surrogate bodies", where instead of "plugging into" a virtual world, you remote-control a robot in the real world. Want to stay in the real world, but retain the ability to choose whatever body you like? Want to have an insurance against a sudden case of rocket attacks? Want to keep it cool even with 50°C/80% humidity outside? No problem, just transfer your mind to a robot body of your choosing!