Journal: What is the future of computing?

I'm an aspiring programmer currently learning C++. In order to position myself for what's coming next, I'd like to know where the field is going to be in 10-20 years. I want a crystal ball. Ideally there'd be a well-researhed, balanced book covering the topic. Unfortunately I've searched Amazon and Slashdot's book reviews and I haven't come up with anything better than "The Singularity is Near," (too optimitic and long-term for me).

        On the other hand I've searched the web and have found several articles on the topic. Such articles predict:

        * the rise of the semantic web
        * "self-writing software"?
        * DNA computing
        * Quantum Computing (almost inevitable, but probably overhyped)
        * bug-free programs w/ proofs? (rather unpopular however- but "provable" software would be valuable in certain areas, e.g. NASA, nuclear power plants, ect... )
        * more declarative programming languages
        * pervasive motes, ubi-comp and smart homes/cars; leading to data overload and the need for reliabley automated data analysis and presentation- could tie into s/w data storage and UI questions. Furthermore, the overwhelming amount and complexity of data gathered will push beyond our capacities to analize, and therefore require AIs not only to gather and group the data, but also detect meaningful partterns and generate hypothoses... at least in some fields computers will likely take over every step in the scientific method.
        * "probabilistic logic" - a new mathmatical formalism that bridges the gap between otherwise incompatible mathmatical models.
        * the rise of large, complex and generic software that can be adapted to different tasks

        So what do you think? Is this stuff the wave of the future? Can anyone reading this recommend books or web sites that offer a convincing synopsis of where the computer world is headed, and most importantly, what I should invest my time in?