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Sci-fi Predictions, True and False (Video 1)

Posted by Soulskill on from the no-mention-of-the-singularity dept.

Science fiction is the domain of predicting future technology. But we rarely stop to account for which predictions come true, which don't, and which are fulfilled in... unexpected ways. A panel at the recent science fiction convention in Detroit explored this subject in depth, from Star Trek's communicators to nanotech and cloning. Panelists include writer and forensic science expert Jen Haeger; professor and generally fascinating guy Brian Gray; and expert in Aeronautical Management and 20-year veteran of the Air Force Douglas Johnson. In this video, they run down a list of science fiction predictions, both successful and unsuccessful, and evaluate how realistic or far-fetched each now seems.

5 of 139 comments (clear)

  1. Science fiction is the domain of predicting future by acheong87 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...no, it's not.

  2. Re:TRANSCRIPT! by i+kan+reed · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yeah, this falls into the category of "Things where text is more useful/interesting than video". Not to mention people who just don't want noise/video.

  3. Faulty premise by ShieldW0lf · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Science fiction has never been about predicting future technology.

    Science fiction is about considering and exploring the human ramifications when certain aspects of reality are changed.

    --
    -1 Uncomfortable Truth
  4. One real prediction in science fiction by fermion · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Heinlein is generally credited with providing a pretty good description of the modern waterbed. I was not that far of a prediction, but it was real. He probably provided the best prediction of the internet.

    Then there is the rise of very small dwelling, basically just beds, which are becoming popular in some parts, as predicted by the cyberpunk novels.

    The real problem with most prediction in science fiction is that is misses a critical development aspect of the technology, or more often the limitation of the applications of the technology. For instance, at this time everyone expected housecleaning to be done by robots, but astronavigation to still be done by hand.

    --
    "She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
  5. Re:TRANSCRIPT! by Sarius64 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Skimming the transcript; wondering if I can get that one minute of my life back for being pulled into reading such a useless publishing. They mentioned almost nothing worthwhile.