Today is the Future. Time to Look Back.... to the Future.

Back To The Future In ACTUAL 2015

(CollegeHumor, 2015)

Today we officially enter the future.... according to film goers in 1989. 

In Back to the Future II doc Brown and Marty (and Jennifer (who remembers that detail)) visit Hill Valley on 21st October 2015 - which is TODAY!

Not surprisingly, since last year, people have been comparing the present day to "2015" as depicted in Back to the Future II. Of course they are some things that we are disappointed have not arrived, such as the flying car (something everyone has been bitching about since 1989...)

Hobbes: "A new decade is coming up."

Calvin: "Yeah, big deal! Hmph. Where are the flying cars? Where are the moon colonies? Where are the personal robots and the zero-gravity boots, huh? You call this a new decade?! You call this the future?? HA! Where are the rocket packs? Where are the disintegration rays? Where are the floating cities?"

 Bill Watterson: Calvin and Hobbes December 30, 1989 

Although it has to be pointed out that the flying car is an idea that dates back to the 1920s, when aeroplanes were just becoming popular after World War I. With that in mind you'll realize that the flying car has become a cliché in sci-fi set in the future, like domestic humanoid robots and shiny clothes. Also, if you ever had the experience of flying a plane, a flying car won't be very piratical in the real world, if you consider the paperwork needed. Although, if self-driving cars become more practical, the flying car may finally have a chance to become a practical reality.

And on the subject of flying cars, what about the other thing everyone wants for "2015" - the hoverboard. Like flying cars, the hoverboard isn't unique to Back to the Future II. But the film did something special to it - it made it a kids toy, made by Mattel. Also, for added publicity, director Robert Zemeckis fuelled a rumour that the hoverboards use din the film were real and that the reason they were not on sale was due to parent groups complaining that they were not safe. 

However, unlike the flying car, people have built actual working prototypes (which many you may have seen). But they are not fully-functional hoverboards like the one we all imagined. A number of them relay on magnetic/conductive surfaces to hover (like a maglev). And (like the jet pack, the other form of personal transportation we all complain we don't have let) they have limited range, depending on their power source. 

Despite these two big disappointments, they are a number of things "2015" got somewhat right. We got flat-screen TVs, 3D movies (despite the lack of Jaws squeals (thank goodness)), self-grown fruit and veg and a nostalgic lens for the 1980s.

For more check out this Newsweek article I found last year.

I'll end this piece with this video from Doc Brown himself....

The Future Is Now! - 10/21/15 - A Special Message From Doc Brown

(Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, 2015

So, in the future if you see a fantastic future been depicted in any media, take it with a sceptical eye. 

It may not turn out as depicted....