Fortunately I saved myself a lot of time by skipping ahead to the replies and reading this guys opinion that The Spirits Within takes place after FF VIII. Never mind that the Sprits Within in clearly set on Earth - OUR Earth - in the years 2065. Unlike every other Final Fantasy ever, which has never claimed to be set on Earth.

Gotta give this guy an A for his creativity though. And an F for plausibility and accuracy.