You are claiming that people who make predictions of this sort are not making a "serious" prediction. And I am claiming that you don't get to say that.
You may dismiss their predictions; you may feel they are worthless to listen to; you might have an explanation for why we shouldn't take such predictions seriously. I can agree with all that. But none of this makes my claim any less of a prediction.
My claim is that in the future people will have a certain point of view. That is what a prediction is.
I am confident you know that predictions can be false, and calling something a prediction doesn't mean "it will come true" or "it is more likely to come true than not".
I'm just puzzled about your use of the word "prediction" -- perhaps we mean different things.
You may dismiss their predictions; you may feel they are worthless to listen to; you might have an explanation for why we shouldn't take such predictions seriously. I can agree with all that. But none of this makes my claim any less of a prediction.
My claim is that in the future people will have a certain point of view. That is what a prediction is.
I am confident you know that predictions can be false, and calling something a prediction doesn't mean "it will come true" or "it is more likely to come true than not".
I'm just puzzled about your use of the word "prediction" -- perhaps we mean different things.