Back To The Future II vs. The Real Future

Posted in Culture Shock, Films |

By Laura L.

Many of us have seen the Back To The Future trilogy. And, while watching Back To The Future II, some of us have wondered, “Is that really what things will look like in 2015?” Flying cars, hoverboards, weird-ass sunglasses. . . 2015 is only six years away, and I’m about to break down what the makers of the trilogy, back in 1989 (when the movie was released), thought would happen, as opposed to what will most likely happen.

Flying Cars

Screencap by Hollow-Art

What they thought would happen: Traffic on the ground. Traffic in the air! Traffic, traffic everywhere.

What will most likely happen: There is traffic everywhere, but I think we’ve gotten screwed on the “in the air” part. All during childhood, I was led to believe we’d see flying cars in the future, but as it turns out, the most futuristic thing that’s happened in automobile technology has been the hybrid car. (Or maybe satellite radio in the car. Or GPS. Hmm. . . ) Besides, how can we have flying cars when their fuel economy hasn’t improved since the Carter Administration?

The ’80s Cafe

Screencap by Hollow-Art

What they thought would happen: ’80s nostalgia’s gonna be HUGE!

What will most likely happen: Well, they were right, but ’80s nostalgia is already starting to fade out, paving the way for ’90s nostalgia. Instead of a Max Headroom-esque menu, perhaps have monitors with 56K (or 14.4K, if you wanna get real) connections on phone lines to let you know what the specials are.

Futuristic Fashion

Screencap by Hollow-Art

What they thought would happen: Spandex is forever! The clothing of the future is gonna be form-fitting—the tighter, the better. Oh, and men will wear two ties, not one.

What will most likely happen: With the aforementioned ’90s nostalgia on the horizon, flannel shirts and babydoll dresses are bound to find their way back into the closets of America’s youth. Whether jeans will still be skinny remains to be seen. I seriously doubt that leggings, which are now back in, will stay in by 2015 (speaking of skintight clothing). As for ties? Unless things change drastically in the next few years, men will be fine with just one tie, and by “fine,” I mean “tolerant.”

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