By Mariana Garces
In 2012, some people believe the world will come to an end as the Mayans predicted ages ago in their elaborate calendars. In the time we have left, we need to reflect and see where we went wrong as a civilization: Namely, why aren’t we flying around in jetpacks?
Trends like hybrid cars and more efficient mass transit systems all over the world have contributed to an increase in people traveling more easily and quickly than ever before. Sadly though, the coolest things to ride on the block seem to be the Segway, the electric wheelchair and the Roomba.
When will we achieve the technology predicted in the time traveling epic Back to the Future? Should we expect the iris detection and crime–predicting technology of Minority Report by 2054? Where do we start to compare when we don’t even measure up to the transportation used in Dark Knight? If I could sacrifice 5-star crash test ratings and side air bags for built-in flame-throwers and an ejection button like the Batmobile, you know I would. Good luck trying to recall that, Toyota.
Imagine the year is 1989, the movie tagline happens to be “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!” Still salivating from the first movie in which our hero travels back in time in a tricked-out DeLorean, we are again teased into believing time travel will one day be possible. Yet now it seems as much as Xzibit “pimps your ride,” he will still never be able to take you back to awkward situations with teenage versions of your parents. And if there is one thing you’re not supposed to do that Americans love to do in movies, it’s screw with the past (pun intended).
Every ‘90s kid remembers the scene of Marty McFly zipping around the future casually on a Hoverboard. Older generations have fond memories of the Jetsons and even the teleportation of Star Trek. That was the prediction for our future, and although we still aren’t there yet, it’s hard to believe we can make an iPhone that lets you tweet on the toilet, but we still can’t make a skateboard that floats a mere six inches off the ground.
Instead, most poor college students can only travel from class to class, from campus to the Commons. We must get around this blistery Narnia by foot, or worse: TCat. Few years remain to fulfill our dreams of future travel, and until the time comes where we must relinquish hopes of Flux Capacitors, our generation must keep the nerdy dream alive.
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Mariana Garces is a freshman journalism major who’s tired of waiting for life-like robots to turn against mankind and challenge its very existence. E-mail her at [email protected].