Future predictions

[Park]

About 9 years ago, I cut out this little list of predictions from a Danish newspaper but it is originally taken from the Times. It was written in Danish though, so if the launguage seems a bit primitive for a Times journalist - it is because I translated it:). Some of the predictions are quite funny actually:

1999 Contraceptive pills or birthcontrol injections are commonly used by men.
2000 Effective cancer treatment via genetic engineering.
2001 Large, flat wall television screens (shows art when switzed off).
2003 Mobile videophones.
2005 Contact lenses with internet access.
2005 Video postcards.
2006 Smart clothes - i.e. regulates the heat from the body.
2007 Full-automatic self-driving cars with anti collision radar.
2010 Robot pets.
2015 The genetic code is broken and all diseases can be cured.
2016 Holograph telephones which projects the person you communicate with in full size and 3D.
2017 Humans on Mars (permanent settlement 2044).
2020 Passenger plane can hold 1000 travellers.
2022 Test tube embryos developes and bears without ever having been inside an uterus.
2025 Computer which react directly on thoughts.
2030 Fully functional artificial eyes and legs.
2030 Humans are put into an artificial hibernation under space trips.
2040 Fusion power
2044 Microscopic self-reproducing robots.
2050 Humans lives 140 years.

[charred_heart]

:rofl:

It's especially funny when these predictions include famous actors/musicians from that era. Like we'll be listening to that retro crap :p

[Park]

:rofl:

It's especially funny when these predictions include famous actors/musicians from that era. Like we'll be listening to that retro crap :p

It is so funny to watch sceince fiction movies/series from the 60ties and 70ties. The way people dress,,,,not to mention the clumsy bucket like robots:) .

[Nighthawk]

I remember watching the first moon landing at age 9, and everybody was predicting we would reach Mars by the 1980's, and have bases on the moon by then. We have fallen very far short in space exploration. A big disappointment.

[charred_heart]

I remember watching the first moon landing at age 9, and everybody was predicting we would reach Mars by the 1980's, and have bases on the moon by then. We have fallen very far short in space exploration. A big disappointment.
the rabbit decided to take a nap 3 steps from the finish line

[Park]

I remember watching the first moon landing at age 9, and everybody was predicting we would reach Mars by the 1980's, and have bases on the moon by then. We have fallen very far short in space exploration. A big disappointment.

LOL, I've notished too that most future predictions seem to be a little too optimistic. It is before my time but I would have loved to sit at home and watch the first moon landing - it must have been an encredible experience.

[charred_heart]

It is so funny to watch sceince fiction movies/series from the 60ties and 70ties. The way people dress,,,,not to mention the clumsy bucket like robots:) old .old James Bond movies are hilarious! Especially the one where he is challenged by the villian to play this cheesy videogame in a casino. They were using gold plated joysticks lol!

[Park]

old James Bond movies are hilarious! Especially the one where he is challenged by the villian to play this cheesy videogame in a casino. They were using gold plated joysticks lol!

:rofl: oh oh and the instrument panel on darth vaders chest - those enormous buttons with light in.

[charred_heart]

:rofl: oh oh and the instrument panel on darth vaders chest - those enormous buttons with light in.
oh man... don't get me started on Star Wars!

[Lee]

Futurologists will tell you that the only reliable prediction is that everything they say will turn out to be incorrect... well, they didn't really say that, I did.

[Park]

Futurologists will tell you that the only reliable prediction is that everything they say will turn out to be incorrect... well, they didn't really say that, I did.

Well, actually they do use the proverb that "it is difficult to make predictions - especially about the future":) .

[Lee]

Well, actually they do use the proverb that "it is difficult to make predictions - especially about the future":) .Don't forget the classic predictions.

Famous scientists claimed that X-Rays were a hoax, commerical flying machines were an impossibility and TV wouldn't catch on.

You'll have to forgive me for not providing the names of our brave futurologists though, I can't remember my sources.

[Park]

Don't forget the classic predictions.

Famous scientists claimed that X-Rays were a hoax, commerical flying machines were an impossibility and TV wouldn't catch on.

You'll have to forgive me for not providing the names of our brave futurologists though, I can't remember my sources.

Hehe I think that people today are lot lot more humble towards the development within new technology than they used to be. The last century was probably the most eye opening era in the history of humans. I think no-one really dares to reject much today, regardsless of what people might wish due to morally reasons genetic engineering and nano technology will play a significant part in a soon to come future and deep down, I think most people are aware of that.

[Carebear]

Anyone care to bet which of the predictions won't come true (give or take 10 years)?

EDIT: My first bet is internet contact lenses won't ever be possible.

[Park]

Ok - I'll play along.

I'm not quite sure what they meen when they talk about a "video" postcard - if they meen a flat disc like card which can play a small film - perhaps but anything with a couple of black rolls inside is a bit out of the question.

[Architectonic]

EDIT: My first bet is internet contact lenses won't ever be possible.

Why not? Perhaps a switchable device on the inside of our pupils, use microscopic wiring and a very small (short range, powered by our body) transmitter inside our head.

[charred_heart]

I believe man will be able to develop a bugfree Operating System sometime in the next 100 years.

[Architectonic]

I believe man will be able to develop a bugfree Operating System sometime in the next 100 years.

HAH! :ph34r:

Where humans are involved, .........

[Carebear]

Why not? Perhaps a switchable device on the inside of our pupils, use microscopic wiring and a very small (short range, powered by our body) transmitter inside our head.

I doubt you'll get them small enough, and loosing one would be quite costly. Besides, transmitting an image that close to the optical lens ypu would need to seriously warp the image to make it register correctly at the back of the eye (where the sensors are). (Try viewing any object up ultraclose). Of course I'm no expert, so I'm fully aware that I might be wrong.

[Lee]

Hehe I think that people today are lot lot more humble towards the development within new technology than they used to be. The last century was probably the most eye opening era in the history of humans. I think no-one really dares to reject much today, regardsless of what people might wish due to morally reasons genetic engineering and nano technology will play a significant part in a soon to come future and deep down, I think most people are aware of that.Oh, I just remembered. Except for the TV prediction, I think it was Lord Kelvin who made the prophetic blunders!

[Crazy]

The only thing funnier than failed tech predictions are failed end of the world predictions. 1994 and Y2K come to mind.