Today marks the day that one Marty McFly traveled to the future and arrived at...well, today. So how does our future compare to the one that was given to us in the movie? Let's go over some of the things that we saw in Back to the Future II's 2015.
The first thing that stands out in my mind when it comes to the movie's version of 2015 are all of the flying cars. Where are they in our present??? Very disappointing. It seems that unlocking the secrets to "anti-gravity" is still a long ways off. Or is it? One of the other things that we were shown were "hover boards." Now, while we won't be able to run out to the store and pick up a "Pitbull" any time soon, there are some start up companies that are developing real, true-to-life hover boards. While they are still in production mode, and they can only work over certain types of surfaces, it is something that is almost a reality.
How about that holographic movie advertisement for Jaws? While that still may be years and years off from becoming an everyday thing like it was in the film, holograms have been making their way into the mainstream for a few years now. Back in 2012 at Coachella, fans were treated to a performance by the late Tupac Shakur through the wonders of holographic technology. Then, back in 2014, fans were treated to another performance by a late icon when Michael Jackson's hologram performed at the Billboard Music Awards in 2014. While these are nothing like the amazing 3D holographic advertisements from the movie, it is one step closer to becoming a reality.
Next, let's talk about the future's huge reliance on the fax machine! Huh? This one they really dropped the ball on. How could they not see the rise of the smart phone? I mean, even Star Trek had communicators that were kinda like our smart phones of today. But Fax machines? Really? Well, I'll let this one slide just a little bit. We still use them in business, although there's not one in every home where you can get faxed a pink slip. At least that's something.
The last two things that I want to talk about were actually influenced by the movie! A few years ago, Nike announced that they were going to be making (in limited supply) actual self-tying shoes that looked like the ones that Michael J. Fox wore in the movie. I haven't heard much about them since, but thought that it was pretty cool that Nike was getting in on the fun. Finally, Pepsi has announced that they are making (also in limited supply) actual "Pepsi Perfect" bottles of soda (or "pop," depending where you live) in the same style bottle that was featured in the film. You have to hurry to get one, though, thy are going fast!
As for the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series? Well, we'll just have to wait and see how things turn out for them tonight when they play the New York Mets in Game 4. Right now, the Cubs are down in the series 0-3.
So, although our future really doesn't look anything like the future from the film, it's still a pretty good future to be living in...just don't watch the evening news.
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