Which mildly futuristic devices got omitted in SF settings?

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The discussion centers on the exploration of simple, practical devices that could be developed in the near future but are often overlooked in science fiction. Participants suggest innovations like a medical app that uses smartphone technology for diagnostics, and the potential for mass-produced exoskeletons. There is a critique of contemporary fiction for not reflecting modern technology, such as smartphones and automation, which could significantly alter narrative dynamics. The conversation also touches on the societal implications of advanced technology, including automation's impact on class structures. Ultimately, the thread emphasizes the need for science fiction to incorporate these realistic advancements rather than focusing solely on grandiose concepts.
  • #31
This thread seems to have become "things I would like" rather than "technologies not foreseen in science fiction". As this is the science fiction forum it would be best it the conversation steered back towards the latter.
 
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  • #32
Should someone open another thread for exchanging ideas what would be good, realistic in our future?
 
  • #33
Ryan_m_b said:
This thread seems to have become "things I would like" rather than "technologies not foreseen in science fiction". As this is the science fiction forum it would be best it the conversation steered back towards the latter.

The problem is that SF tend to be preoccupied with big stuff, like for example nuclear powdered space ships. Just such crucial changes for life happen from actually small devices. I've seen a jokes that introduction of washing machines did more to equal rights of women than all political movements. So I would consider such wish as quite helpful, after all if a gizmo is desired around AD 2015, then in farer future could be expected to be mature technology bought in discount bin equivalent or in best case even an outdated tech.

Think about story potential for a derelict building with dirty walls, where a mysterious noise in middle of the night turns out to be an old roomba, while at that time all people use much silent devices that connects to net and thanks to gecko like climb ability also clean windows? ;)
GTOM said:
Should someone open another thread for exchanging ideas what would be good, realistic in our future?

And then the discussion would drift to more speculative devices, which would bring us here back? ;)
 
  • #34
Because of my advanced age, to the best of my memory, one of the earliest misses was the transmission of pictures from a landing on another Planet/Moon. The communications in all early SF stories and movies leading up to the Apollo Moon landing were, generally static laden, radio communications. Not even the best Asimov, Clark, etc. missed that one.
 
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  • #35
For one, reusable spaceship configurations. A modular approach with established designs and known capabilities selected for optimum outcomes.
 
  • #36
Terahertz radiation full body imaging, even now that some scanners exist...
 
  • #37
1. Technological inventions follow changes in human lifestyle. In early 20 century no one predicted mobile phones to include them in space travel books, since mobile phone wasn't needed back then.
2. Usually SF greatly overestimates development of space travel and underestimates social changes.
3. In 50 years we will no longer go outside or even walk on foot. We will sit on out butts and browse galleries of funny kittens.
4. This change of lifestyle will demand new inventions to address new challenges. Instant anti-acne pill? Virtual reality goggles to make one feel like he's doing sport? Holoraphic belly shrinker? Guess what.
5. In 50 years people will laugh at the today's sci-fi writers that they haven't anticipated such obvious things like edible autonomous drone tasting like pizza.

The biggest mistake sci-fi writers make is to assume that in the future there will be the same society traveling trough space. It's the social change that's driving new inventions, not space industry.
 
  • #38
haael said:
3. In 50 years we will no longer go outside or even walk on foot. We will sit on out butts and browse galleries of funny kittens.

The biggest mistake sci-fi writers make is to assume that in the future there will be the same society traveling trough space. It's the social change that's driving new inventions, not space industry.

IMHO, you are overestimating social changes. It is like in Back to Future 3, Emett Brown talks about the future, people laugh on him : So that cars will mean, no one will walk?
 
  • #39
haael said:
The biggest mistake sci-fi writers make is to assume that in the future there will be the same society traveling trough space. It's the social change that's driving new inventions, not space industry.

I think that science fiction is for teenage future engineers. They're generally interested in technology, not social change. They seem to prefer highly retrogressive governments, perhaps because they lend themselves to wars and other drama.

There are exceptions, like Iain Banks' Culture. But more often it's empires.
 
  • #40
Hornbein said:
They seem to prefer highly retrogressive governments, perhaps because they lend themselves to wars and other drama.

Maybe another topic should be dedicated to that matter (i have one Past ages in SF) but developed technology can be very well used to bring back times where the few had absolute control over the many, with birth control, cloning one can get rid of a weakness of dynasties, succession wars.

By the way, many things we use now in everyday life, was originally created for military or space industry (GPS, new materials for example)
 
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  • #41
Robots controlled over the network with tactile feedback in body suits and virtual reality headset gear allowing the operator to see and hear and FEEL (tactile at least) but from safe distance -in order to explore, say, potentially dangerous caves or underwater regions, help rescue/locate victims of natural disasters etc.

Largely ignored by any SF:
Quantum computers.