Science fiction is a great way to look at our reality. Rather, it is a great way to look at the future of our society, where it is going, and what we want the most. Unfortunately, it can also show us things that we don’t have.
This sets up the “grass is always greener on the other side” mindset that has us wanting more. But it also allows us to work towards attaining something better that will benefit mankind.
Let’s look at two science fiction concepts, technologies, or things that we wish we had.
The Hoverboard
The first item that Eastercon 2017 will be presenting is the hoverboard.
It all started with Back to the Future. Marty McFly travelled to the future and faced his timeless bully Biff yet again, as well as his mean futuristic crew. In the ensuing chase, Marty borrowed a child’s hover scooter and broke off its handle to make the hoverboard.
Ever since then, people have always wanted it. The sad part is, in the movie, that whole thing in that universe’s 2015. In our universe though, our reality, we are already three years removed from 2015 and still no hoverboard.
Sure, we have a toy that is named a hoverboard, but it is as far from what we initially had in mind.
This goes for all flying vehicles as well. Late in the 20th century, people always thought that come the 2000s, we’d have flying cars and space ships for everybody.
We’re still waiting on those too.
Time Machines
Whether it’s the TARDIS from Doctor Who or Back to the Future again, time machines have been a large an item often seen in science fiction. The ability to go forward and backward in time is always an interesting thing to think about.
What would you do differently? What would you dare know if you went forward? How would your past actions change your present reality? While time travel has a lot of theoretical implications that could scramble any person’s rain who wants to understand it all, the fact remains that time travel is intriguing.
Sadly though, there have been no time machines as of yet. The late great Stephen Hawking made a convention for time travelers, but sadly no one showed. There was a man who claimed to be a time traveler once, but it is still met with a lot of skepticism.
While the machine is not yet available, scientists do posit that black holes could hold the key to time travel. Time will tell.
These are only a few science fiction technologies and concepts we wish existed now. With technology getting stronger at a much faster rate, we are eager to see if these technologies will eventually be made. Or if they will remain fiction.