Back in 1989 whilst watching the first sequel to one of the greatest films ever, I never imagined in my young teenage mind that the year 2015 would ever happen. It seemed so far away, so distant that even envisaging what things would be like was pie in the sky lunacy. Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis crafted a fantastic futuristic world of Hill Valley, CA for the movie Back To The Future Part 2, and now that date has finally come to pass. The 21st of October, 2015. It's a very different world in a lot of ways to what those writers dreamed up, but with some eerie and fairly accurate predictions that have sort of come true. In a sense.
The real Hendo Hoverboard
So, let's look at a few of those ideas of technology and sociology, and examine the similarities. Firstly, lets get the wrong ones out of the way and it's best to start with the two most famous predictions: flying cars and hoverboards. Yes, both exist in a fashion in the real 2015, but far from the commercially manufactured and ease of use models such as the film depicts. Expensive and heavy-duty hoverboards are out, they have massive limitations and are not sold in toy shops with a Mattel label on them to any pre-teen. They are in fact a stepping stone for future earthquake protection. See here, it's true! And as for flying cars, we ain't to the point of driving Mask vehicles or The Man With The Golden Gun's bronze glider. No, our flying cars look like what they are: aircraft with car like wheels and controls. So, without splitting hairs flying cars as the movie see's them do not exist.
Also, anti-graving chiropractic belts, automated service stations, 100% accurate weather service, self-lacing shoes and self fitting/drying jackets, instant hydrating pizza's, dust repellent paper and more either don't exist or are in very early stages of development. Unfortunately, there are also still lawyers as well. A prediction I wish the movie really did get correct.
Marty's Hoverboard from the Movie
However, Gale and Zemeckis did hit the mark with a few things. Flat and multi-screen TV's are common in millions of households, as is video calling and conferencing. Roads and car parks in some places are marked with lights for guidance, full holographic technology and it's implementation is getting more popular, thumb-print recognition for payments is now coming to the fore and glasses which display TV and more are in the form of Google Glass and Microsoft's HoloLens. Even the prediction of ridiculous ways of wearing trousers/pants came true. Just look at the amount of idiots wearing leg apparel halfway down their legs, underwear and arse cheeks on display, and losing them completely if they run for a bus! But strangely, Bob and Rob missed what is the most common, useful and futuristic device around. The Smart-Phone.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to gloss over these, as it turns out Back To The Future's, er, future was closer to reality than you may think. For more BTTF coverage from me, Novabug, check out my video's below.
Hope you had a lovely Back To The Future Day, it's now in the past and will never happen again. Ever. But remember what Doc Brown says, "The Future is not written, no-ones is. So make it a good one..." Bug' Out!
Taking a side-step from my usual video game projects, I have teamed up with my good friend and fellow You Tuber Dave AKA Lawnboyspost1975 to bring football fans the world over a semi-regular podcast with a difference. And when I say difference, I mean slightly alternative. Just. Boy 'n Bug's Soccer Shakedown will look at football with a sideways swipe, no only talking about then facts and stats, but with personal viewpoints on the wacky, sometimes detestable but somehow lovable world of planet football. We focus our musings on the English leagues, but will also talk about the European game, Major League Soccer and more widespread the world over. Our respective clubs will of course be talked about, mine being Queens Park Rangers and Lawnboys' Liverpool. Each show will include 1 or 2 special guests with particular interest in the beautiful game. This first show has the RetroUnlim Live Host Harry Yack and Slamcast host from the USA Brandon Liggan. Be warned; we will talk candidly, honestly, joke about and sometimes argue, but it's all in good clean fun and nothing should be taken to seriously. We all love football, but we also love to mock it. No punches will be pulled and all teams are subject to our micky-taking. Like I said, it's all for a bit of a laugh, and I hope we make you smile too. You can download the Podcast direct from the RetroUnlim website, or you can listen to the show on You Tube. Links are provided below.
To mark to 31st anniversary of the Amstrad CPC464, I took the time to create a tribute film showcasing four hundred and sixty four games in just under 1 hour. This blog page is to assist the video; a full list of all the games shown in order, as well as the soundtrack listing. All games used are playable on the CPC464, but some may require additional ram expansion or disk drive. However, no Plus or GX4000 games have been included. The footage is captured from either emulation or actual hardware.
