After seeing a picture on the Science is Cool topic, I remembered a conversation I had with my dad some years ago, when I was teaching him how to use Google Earth on his iPad:
Dad: So can I see the house in this thing?
Me: Sure, dad. Here, we just type the address and... there. That's the house.
Dad: Hm
Me: Dad, you've always loved sci-fi. Did you ever expect to be looking at your house from space, while sitting on a couch in your room, using a computer smaller than a book which you control by touching it's screen?
Dad: To be honest, I was expecting a lot more tubes, wheels, and guys in labcoats.
So, particularly to the older ones among us, how has the state of things surprised you (for better or worse) compared to what you imagined years ago?
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Surprised by .... hrmmmm ...
- The Good: the end of Cold War I; the internet; gaming
- The Bad: history repeating itself; entertainment polarizing into either Cheap and Online-only, or Expensive and Live; no Mr. Fusion - powered DeLorean cars!
- The Ugly: Those Who Are in Charge failing to learn from history - and its equally fugly twin, Those Who Are in Charge rarely looking beyond their Annual Bonus (or equivalent)
- The Didn't Happen that Should Have: Moon colonization; underwater colonization; asteroid farming; Going Where No One Has Gone Before
The Good: despite what the politicians tell us we live in one of the most peaceful and tolerant times on the planet.
We have found other planets around other stars. We have a robotic presence on Mars.
The micronisation of computing, and finally we are starting to unshackle our selves from petrochemicals and explore alternate sources of fuel.
Finding the Higgs boson, the practical uses for which are mind blowing.
The Perplexing: The Drake equation where is everybody?
The Bad: Pollution, exploitation, consumerism and global climate change.
The ugly: More efficient ways of killing our fellow humans.
The pissed me off: Where is my jet pack?
It's 2013. Where the hell is my flying car?
They're called planes.
It's 2013. Where the hell is my flying car?
You would have crashed it anyway.
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I'm frankly surprised we haven't all blown the f%+* outta each other and the survivors aren't doing a live action reenactment of Book of Eli.
Guess there's still time.
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You would have crashed it anyway.
Hello, sister...we meet again.
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fzzzbbtt.
Indeed.
Mayhap, a fourth.
Our dynasty begins.
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HOCKKKK!...hhhhUUUURrrrff!
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fzzbbbtt!
Cats! The cats of Ulthar!
not enough yet...
Present!
Present!
Yum...dinner is served. fzzbbtt!
Rise, riiiiiiise my minions!