Anyone who’s a fan of the sci-fi genre knows that there are certain aspects of the future that the writers of these books, films, and television shows sometimes predict in an eerily accurate way.
Just a few examples…
Author Jules Verne released From Earth to the Moon, in 1865 which described three Americans' mission to launch a spacecraft and land on the moon. Parts of the novel were similar to the first real moon landing, which occurred 104 years later. Both even launched from Florida.
The Communicator device from "Star Trek," first shown in 1966, looked just like a flip phone. Though engineers were working on developing this technology in the 1960s, it took Motorola until 1973 to debut the world's first mobile phone.
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, a dystopian novel published in 1931, features a mood-altering pill called Soma that acts as an antidepressant hallucinogen. Two decades after Brave New World came out, scientists began researching antidepressants.
There are many more examples of this phenomena.
As a sci-fi author myself, I can personally attest to this. The places imagination can take you sometimes seems as real as reality. The process of working in the sci-fi realm for years on end train you to spot trends and then walk them decades into the future to imagine how they'll evolve.
I began writing my first sci-fi novel, Alarm Clock Dawn, in the early 2000’s and many things portrayed in the novel have come into being. One of them, China’s Social Credit System, stands out as one of the closest similarities (but there are others). I wrote about a social scoring system that categorizes people into tightly defined/controlled groups and affects every aspect of their lives. When I think about how so much of what I wrote about all those years ago are coming true today I get goosebumps.
Little did I know that providing educated guesses about where the world is heading is now in high demand. It's now possible to build a lucrative career as a futurist. Military institutions, NATO, and multinational companies believe so much in the value of this they’re employing futurists to help predict/develop future products and strategies (source). This would be an amazing way to help shape the future.
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“The scientific man does not aim at an immediate result. He does not expect that his advanced ideas will be readily taken up. His work is like that of the planter – for the future. His duty is to lay the foundation for those who are to come, and point the way." – Nikola Tesla
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I think blockchain/cryptocurrency companies, specifically, should begin actively seeking this same kind of help from futurists. Futurists could help to predict all of the wonderful ways in which cryptocurrency and blockchain can be integrated into our lives, and also help us avoid some of the potential pitfalls. Creatives can provide a bridge between those who are in the forefront of developing it and the public who needs to be shown how cryptocurrency and blockchain will benefit them in ways they can relate to.
As early adopters in this space it's easy to forget how young this industry really is. A lot of us here understand and are excited about the potential in distributed ledger technology to help humanity build a more free and equitable society. We’re also frustrated by how long it's taking the world to realize it. If we can use the development and adoption of the internet as a yardstick (as many are beginning to do), it’s still very early in the game.
You only have to watch the news or spend time on social media to realize how desperately our world is in need of substantive change but change on a scale this immense takes time. It's important that we get it right. Throughout this stage of development we must be very mindful of how this technology evolves. Like any tool, it could be used for good or, if it falls into the wrong hands, it could make for an even more inescapable life of serfdom for the masses.
I love the Tesla quote above because it accurately embodies so many of us in the industry today. Whether we realize it or not, all of us early adopters are “planters” in our own unique ways. Patience can sometimes be difficult to muster. This extended bear market, hacks, scams, regulatory concerns, and the low price of Steem in particular, have taken a toll on us all. Whenever I feel like I'm beginning to lose hope, I only have to pause, take a breath, and remind myself how new this all is. Quitting, or doing nothing, will result in an endless continuation of the status quo so it's not a viable option.
Each line of code that’s written, every new person we bring into the fold, and each time we think of ways distributed ledger technology can make our quality of life better we’re progressing. We’re sowing the seeds that future generations will enjoy the fruits of. I can think of no better legacy to leave. I've seen a glimpse of this new world and now I can never look back.
Keep on planting,
Eric
(Gif sourced from Giphy.com)
*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.
Alarm Clock Dawn, one of the first full length novels published on the blockchain, and the book that started it all for me can be found HERE. Or Click Here to read it for free on the Steemit blockchain
My book on meditation, The Perfect Pause, is priced at $12.99 (paperback) and $4.99 (eBook). Buy the paperback and receive the eBook for free!
Let’s Keep In Touch
Hello Eric, how are you doing? I haven't seen your post for several days, Eric. Is it because you were busy or because you were not eager to post because the price of steem is so low. I'm also shocked by the current price of steem, Sir. but I will continue to post because I want to increase my steem power. Indeed, sometimes what is written by an author will come true a few years later. This is the world, anything can happen. I am always waiting for your writing, sir. Have a nice day.
All is well, Eliana! I've been traveling for the past few days, that's why I've been absent. I hope you had a great week!
"One small step for man"
"One Giant leap for mankind"
Every time you plant, there is a chance that some weeds will grow. But with a little tending, something great might grow.
Amen, @gikitiki!
I was drawn in by that hypnotic Escher!
The film WALL-E may be a good predictor of the future, I have my hover chair on order.
I love those Gifs, they are mesmerizing! I never watched WALL-E! I have homework to do! : )
You're now a certified futurist and a prophet. That's cool.
Sometimes u wonder too how those writers in previous times could predict such a future. The answer might lies in our dreams being interconnected together somewhere where one can see far behind while another implement it.
#resteemed.
Haha, not quite. Being a futurist is something I'm considering exploring though. Thank you for resteeming!
yeah agreed ! many past novel or books and idea become real now........
Their prediction always come to pass. it might not look immediate but soon it will come pass
This post earned a total payout of 0.063$ and 0.047$ worth of author reward which was liquified using @likwid. To learn more.
@ericvancewalton, There are many Conspiracy Theories which tells that everything is Pre-planned and Pre-Programmed. And time to time through Television and Signs future is reflected. Let's see what is waiting for the future.
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Hello @ericvancewalton, thank you for sharing this creative work! We just stopped by to say that you've been upvoted by the @creativecrypto magazine. The Creative Crypto is all about art on the blockchain and learning from creatives like you. Looking forward to crossing paths again soon. Steem on!