The World Fair of 2014 According To Asimov (From 1964) 352
Esther Schindler writes "If you ever needed evidence that Isaac Asimov was a genius at extrapolating future technology from limited data, you'll enjoy this 1964 article in which he predicts what we'll see at the 2014 world's fair. For instance: "Robots will neither be common nor very good in 2014, but they will be in existence. The I.B.M. exhibit at the present fair has no robots but it is dedicated to computers, which are shown in all their amazing complexity, notably in the task of translating Russian into English. If machines are that smart today, what may not be in the works 50 years hence? It will be such computers, much miniaturized, that will serve as the "brains" of robots. In fact, the I.B.M. building at the 2014 World's Fair may have, as one of its prime exhibits, a robot housemaid*large, clumsy, slow- moving but capable of general picking-up, arranging, cleaning and manipulation of various appliances. It will undoubtedly amuse the fairgoers to scatter debris over the floor in order to see the robot lumberingly remove it and classify it into 'throw away' and 'set aside.' (Robots for gardening work will also have made their appearance.)" It's really fun (and sometimes sigh-inducing) to see where he was accurate and where he wasn't. And, of course, the whole notion that we'd have a world's fair is among the inaccurate predictions."
Re:One thing is for certain... (Score:2, Insightful)
You're a Space Nutter, aren't you? The dog-whistle "this rock" gave you away.
Technically, if that is a dog whistle, it means you are also a Space Nutter (whatever that is), since you were able to hear it as well. One space nutter to another.
Pocket Computers (Score:4, Insightful)
Asimov predicted 'pocket compiters (I think it was in one of the early foundation books) and when pocket calculators came out in the 70's they were using red LEDs and the 'good doctor' said "look I even got the colors right.
(but 40 years later pocket compiters are using multicolored displays, so much for his predictions.)
Like many SF authors he was obsessed with humanoid style robots, but that hasn't happened even though other robots are around in quantity.
The first law of Robotics doesn't seem to be around either (just the opposite when you think of drones)
Moon colonies... (Score:5, Insightful)
The saddest part is that he doesn't feel the need to mention the moon colonies except to discuss improved communication with them. Humanities future in space was so obvious that it didn't even need to be stated.
Re:How True (Score:4, Insightful)
Alas, he was presuming a world which made sense.
Sadly... (Score:5, Insightful)
Instead, we're still just as dependent on coal, oil and gas as ever.
Re:Here tis (Score:3, Insightful)
If it isn't VTOL, it isn't a flying car.
Re:One thing is for certain... (Score:5, Insightful)
Then there's a list of big things that he did not see coming at all:
- the internet!
- computers thousand times stronger than anything in 1964 - the size of your palm - in everybody's pocket
- advances in medical science - stem cells, 3d printing of tissue etc. and in medical technology - scanners creating a 3d model of your body (including the inside)
- detection and photography of extrasolar planets
- a man made probe exiting the solar system
- despite the overpopulation, abundance of food for everybody
etc.
Re:One thing is for certain... (Score:5, Insightful)
I can reliably predict the future!
In 50 years:
* We will have returned to the moon. Or we won't. Definitely one or the other.
* We will have self-driving cars, but they may not be in common use.
* New drugs will have been invented.
* Computers will be even faster and more capable than those of today!
* There will be robots. Of some sort.
* Rich people will continue to have power over the poorer members of society
* Numerous wars will have been fought, altering the political spheres and influence of various nations
* Music of the future will suck compared to what we grew up with, although the kids of that generation will love it.