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-researched, 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 optimistic 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 reliably 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 analyze, and therefore require AIs not only to gather and group the data, but also detect meaningful patterns and generate hypotheses... at least in some fields computers will likely take over every step in the scientific method.
* "probabilistic logic" - a new mathematical formalism that bridges the gap between otherwise incompatible mathematical models.
* the rise of large, complex and generic software that can be adapted to different tasks

So what do you guys think? Is this stuff the wave of the future? Can anyone 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?