Yesterday David suggested by twit twenty years from now is all science fiction. Which made me ask how long back do you have to go for this present day to be the past's science fiction. Whose sci-fi future do we live in? Is this the 1964 unbelievable or the 1989 one? Every home does not have a personal computer but it is more normal to have one. Yet there are no jet packs. And Tang was rejected somewhere before Flock of Seagulls.
- Update: The NY State Senate matter is just weird:
- I am not sure whether to be amazed or puzzled by the brief adult life of William G. Stairs whose life has crossed mine geographically speaking twice.
- Cream them then hold them off then come from behind - how to beat the Yanks in three different ways.
- Vital news out of Watertown this week.
- Back to number thirteen.
- Nerd.
- The Governor of NY has obtained a restraining order against the Senate leadership. Say it again to yourself.
- Creative people want your twenty bucks. Save Bob from the suit.
- Class.
- Best line in Canadian politics so far this year: "You have to have a PhD in economics to actually figure out whether the (money) has got out the door."
By day’s end, it was clear that the balance of power in the state’s upper house — and the very gears of state government — continued to rest in the hands of Mr. Monserrate, who was indicted in March on charges of slashing his female companion with a broken glass. As he was leaving the Senate chamber, a Republican staff member dashed after him, pleading, “Senator, we need you back in there.” But Mr. Monserrate said he was committed to recruiting more Democrats to join the coalition and would be holding meetings all day in hopes of doing so, even as those Democrats were simultaneously trying to woo him back to their side.
Is there anything else going on? I am concerned that it is almost summer yet I have yet to hear my summer song. It may be Sean Kingston's "Fire Burning" but I am not sure yet.
Comments
David Janes - June 12, 2009 5:46 PM
One of the biggest things futures got wrong was mobile phones. Consider Blade Runner - were there any mobile phones in that? On the other hand, Star Trek TNG kinda predicted them - several centuries too late!
In 20 years, we can expect disk capacity (assuming current trends) to be 1,000,000x greater than today! And probably computing power similarly...
David Janes - June 12, 2009 5:58 PM
Even assuming no real improvements in camera technology, the increase in disk space means we can expect in that people become adults in a decade's time - in university, etc. - can expect to have every public moment of their lives taped. How will embarrassment in 20 years?
Paul of Kingston - June 12, 2009 8:27 PM
I love that Torstar picture of Baird. It really screams for someone to photoshop a couple of stainless steel bolts coming out of his neck and a scar circumventing his forehead.
Alan - June 12, 2009 8:36 PM
"It lives! It lives!!!!"
Jay Currie - June 14, 2009 5:47 AM
Paul, thank you for the Saturday Night - I was away ok - laugh.
Mobile phones - Dick Tracey wrist phones (but damned hard to join the cool kids and text on one.
DNA and such like - predicted at least twenty years ago.
The Crazy Years - Robert Heinlein - brought to you by Obama, Rush, TARP, Palin/Biden, the end of newspapers/network tv, whacky fundy religion, nutbar assassins.
EM Forester - eighty years ago. People sitting in their basements writing messages on other people's screens and not getting out much. Referring to people they only know by screen as their friends.
Heinlein again - Farnhams Freehold (and no I cannot be arsed to check the spelling - new Ice age hits Earth, Isolationist libertarianism ensues. If it gets much colder on the prairies you might want to head for the mountain redoubts. (Sorry St. Algore...cold is bad, warm, not so much.)
As to stimulus...a largely bad idea implemented slowly becomes a better idea. Iggy has to balance greed and fear. For the moment it looks like fear will hold off the Grits until Fall. But, given Iggy's track record of bloodless coups, one can never tell. The safe bet is that Iggy will go when he thinks he can win; but the safer bet is that the NDP and the Bloc will sit on their hands if they think Iggy can win. So no election for a while.