Movies and TV shows set in the future always get people thinking. Will the world really end up looking like a scene from FUTURAMA, or are things just destined to stay the same? Let’s gaze into our crystal balls and see just how close the following movies have come to predicting the future so far…
MINORITY REPORT
TIME: 2054
PREDICTION: Technology, including innovations with holograms, has become highly developed. However, the surrounding, physical environment remains much the same. A select few people also have the ability to see into the future. These people are used in an attempt to stop crime before it occurs.
REALITY: Although mind reading isn’t a widely practiced method in stopping crime today, the rapid advancement of technology in the movie is something that is happening right now. Ten years ago, no one probably would have thought that touch screen technology would be available to the everyday person. Sure, holograms aren’t used yet, but they may not be too far away. And of course, the constant advertising, as seen in MINORITY REPORT, is something that we can sympathize with.
THE ISLAND
TIME: 2019
PREDICTION: The wealthy have the option to clone themselves. The clones are actual people though, and are kept in a “perfect” society. The outside world is contaminated, forcing people to live in an isolated area, until they have the chance to go to the only place on earth that is still safe to live – The Island.
REALITY: Although some cloning has been done, it is still a field in science that needs to be developed. The contaminated world of THE ISLAND hits closer to home though: pollution, waste management and other environmental issues have become important topics today.
NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR (1984)
TIME: 1984
PREDICTION: The world has been separated into three states after an atomic war. The Ministry Of Truth watches everyone through telescreens, which are like a TV and cell phone combined, that are located everywhere. The government controls everyone’s actions, and even their thoughts. If someone is not conforming, he or she is immediately arrested by the “thought police”, who convert or exile the person.
REALITY: 1984 echoes aspects of our world right now. In a sense, the government does have some control over society. Telescreens might also be a possibility in the future, as they are basically like a video cell phone or even a webcam. Still, they probably wouldn’t be located in every home, as that would be a violation of our basic right to privacy.
JETSONS: THE MOVIE
TIME: The late 21st century
PREDICTION: People live in space, where flying cars, aliens, and transportation machines like giant conveyor belts are commonplace. In addition, robots are present in almost all homes, assisting with the daily activities of humans. Traveling through space, and even time travel, is possible.
REALITY: This is quite unlike our world today. Right now, living in space and time travel, according to most people, are impossible. Flying cars are also unrealistic. If anything, electric cars will become widespread much sooner. Robots have been created, but they are not commonly used for tasks like housekeeping. The future as seen in the JETSONS is probably the furthest from our world today, but it still seems like it would be the most fun to live in.