Predictions of the Year 2000 from The Ladies Home Journal of December 1900. Some of them were suprisingly not too far off... though they did seem to have an odd obsession with giant fruit.Granted, they had a much easier time figuring out where we were going then, as compared to the job of predicting the future today: Things such as air conditioning, fast trains, automobiles, transmission of images over wires, et cetera, were easy to guess at because the foundations of the technology — if not the budding technology itself — existed in plain sight. All that was necessary for guessing the future was to follow things forward in logical steps.
I was thinking about this the other day: We live in a time... the first time in history, I would guess... where we really can't see the future coming. There are very few, if any, technologies out there that we can look at and say, "In 20 years, that technology will be everywhere." Most technology today (good examples being high speed internet and MP3 players) goes from concept to testing to introduction to wide adaptation in an incredibly fast period of time... such as a single product cycle. Today, there is comparably very little time to "envision the future" before it is upon us.
I mean, in 1910, nobody had cars, but everybody knew about them, and knew that someday everybody would have one. In 1940, nobody had televisions... in 1970, nobody had mobile phones... in 1980, nobody had home computers, but everybody knew about them, and knew that someday everybody would have one.
We have nothing like that today that I can think of: Some grand technology that is out there; that exists; that you theoretically can go out and buy from a laboratory or government agency for a few million bucks if you want; and you know that eventually — even if not today — everyone will own one... everyone will benefit from it. The only thing I can think of is alternative-fuel cars... and those really aren't some distant reality. Can you think of anything else? Put it in the comments.
3 comments:
I would have to guess: a social disease of some sort may be the thing that everyone may end up with.
Before you giggle; Because of all the social strife, wars, conflicts and general 'rocking of the boat' we call earth. These little struggles will be handled by military persons.
When the military occupies a country, they need entertainment. When they 'come home' they also need entertainment (ie: getting laid).
Therefore, when they bring home extra goodies for the ladyfolk waiting at home, this may perpetuate a social disease spread.
But, I am an idiot; what do I know?
ok...so, I am not funny.
Oh, it's OK Anon. I'm sure lots of people found it quite funny.
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