24 votes

What significant dates from fiction have we reached?

Posted by kfwyre (edited )
Tags: science fiction, fiction.speculative, ask.survey

This question is inspired by two things:

  1. @carsonc’s comment in the hard sci-fi topic about Kim Stanley Robinson’s Red Mars starting off in 2026 (which is right around the corner).

  2. I started reading Ministry for the Future (coincidentally also by Kim Stanley Robinson) for the Tildes Book Club, and the titular organization starts in, of all times, January 2025 (as in, right now! The book was a perfect pick for this month).

It got me thinking about how a lot of science and speculative fiction books from the past imagined a future ahead of themselves, and how the passage of time has brought us to or even past those imagined futures.

So I’m interested in specific date milestones from fiction that we have met or passed already. They do not have to specifically be from science/speculative fiction, though I imagine most will be.

25 comments

  1. [9]
    saturnV
    Link
    the Bell Riots from Star trek were last year (star trek had novels, so that counts right?)

    the Bell Riots from Star trek were last year (star trek had novels, so that counts right?)

    19 votes
    1. [6]
      sparksbet
      Link Parent
      We were supposed to have the Irish Unification of 2024 😢

      We were supposed to have the Irish Unification of 2024 😢

      16 votes
      1. [4]
        611828750722
        Link Parent
        As someone else said the other day on Tildes: No Eugenics War No Bell Riots No Irish Unification ...we're in the mirror universe, aren't we?
        • Exemplary

        As someone else said the other day on Tildes:

        No Eugenics War
        No Bell Riots
        No Irish Unification

        ...we're in the mirror universe, aren't we?

        7 votes
        1. [3]
          DefinitelyNotAFae
          Link Parent
          I had this exact thought right before reading your comment. Also I'm bisexual and beards seem to be in right now so that does lend evidence towards this being the mirror universe.

          I had this exact thought right before reading your comment.

          Also I'm bisexual and beards seem to be in right now so that does lend evidence towards this being the mirror universe.

          4 votes
          1. [3]
            Comment removed by site admin
            Link Parent
            1. [2]
              DefinitelyNotAFae
              Link Parent
              Hey so I don't understand the "bit" you're doing here. Are you ok?

              Hey so I don't understand the "bit" you're doing here. Are you ok?

              2 votes
              1. [2]
                Comment removed by site admin
                Link Parent
                1. DefinitelyNotAFae
                  Link Parent
                  Your response in the pesto thread and your responses back in November are both significantly different than your responses in this thread. If you're joking around, well ok, the pesto thread...

                  Your response in the pesto thread and your responses back in November are both significantly different than your responses in this thread. If you're joking around, well ok, the pesto thread suggests that. If you're being genuine, please check in with a real life friend or supportive person if you need confirmation about being ok, ok?

      2. moocow1452
        Link Parent
        On the other hand, no Eugenics war, so you gotta take the good with the bad.

        On the other hand, no Eugenics war, so you gotta take the good with the bad.

        9 votes
    2. [2]
      Arlen
      Link Parent
      Also, the Eugenics wars were between 1992 and 1996, and Khan was born in 1959, and put his people in suspended animation on the Botany Bay in 1996.

      Also, the Eugenics wars were between 1992 and 1996, and Khan was born in 1959, and put his people in suspended animation on the Botany Bay in 1996.

      6 votes
  2. imperialismus
    Link
    Surely one of the most prominent ones has to be 2001: A Space Odyssey.

    Surely one of the most prominent ones has to be 2001: A Space Odyssey.

    18 votes
  3. Weldawadyathink
    Link
    A super easy one is 1984, from 1984. It almost feels like cheating. It’s interesting to see that, from a technical perspective, we have solidly succeeded at 1984’s predictions. The most impressive...

    A super easy one is 1984, from 1984. It almost feels like cheating.

    It’s interesting to see that, from a technical perspective, we have solidly succeeded at 1984’s predictions. The most impressive tech is pretty much just a smart TV that sends its data to the government.

    13 votes
  4. [3]
    IudexMiku
    Link
    You picked the right day for this question, because today marks the double event from Pacific Rim. The whole film would be over by the end of this week.

    You picked the right day for this question, because today marks the double event from Pacific Rim. The whole film would be over by the end of this week.

    11 votes
    1. Deely
      Link Parent
      Oh, now I want to rewatch it. Shame that there no sequel movie... Wait, I completely forgot to watch Pacific Rim animation series on Netflix.

      Oh, now I want to rewatch it. Shame that there no sequel movie... Wait, I completely forgot to watch Pacific Rim animation series on Netflix.

      3 votes
    2. kfwyre
      Link Parent
      I know nothing of Pacific Rim so that is a lucky coincidence! Thanks for clueing me in.

      I know nothing of Pacific Rim so that is a lucky coincidence! Thanks for clueing me in.

      2 votes
  5. kayelcio
    Link
    Bladerunner was set in 2019 LA

    Bladerunner was set in 2019 LA

    9 votes
  6. JoshuaJ
    Link
    An easy one: We should have hoverboards by now (2015) https://backtothefuture.fandom.com/wiki/Hoverboard We’re also merely 4 years away from skynet, 2029 John Connor led the Tech-Com and won the...

    An easy one: We should have hoverboards by now (2015)

    https://backtothefuture.fandom.com/wiki/Hoverboard

    We’re also merely 4 years away from skynet, 2029
    John Connor led the Tech-Com and won the war, but Skynet sent a T-800 Terminator back to 1984.

    7 votes
  7. Pavouk106
    Link
    Where are hoverboards? And flying cars? Self-drying jacket? Self-lacing shoes? Oh wait, we have those! 2015 from Back to the future part 2.

    Where are hoverboards? And flying cars? Self-drying jacket? Self-lacing shoes? Oh wait, we have those! 2015 from Back to the future part 2.

    4 votes
  8. carsonc
    Link
    Wow! Thanks for the mention! I don't know if it's on here already, but Parable for the Sower should have started last year. Parable of the Sower didn't come for Los Angeles this year, but its...

    Wow! Thanks for the mention! I don't know if it's on here already, but Parable for the Sower should have started last year. Parable of the Sower didn't come for Los Angeles this year, but its already a reality for many parts of the world. With 25 million people on the verge of starvation in Sudan, I imagine a lot of people would say that many of the events described in Parable of the Sower are already happening.

    Not so much a year, but the announcement in May of 2024 of a human kidney transplant with a genetically edited pig kidney seemed eerily similar to Atwood's Oryx and Crake.

    4 votes
  10. [3]
    moocow1452
    (edited )
    Link
    I have made posts in the past for legitimate future prognostication!! Links are here, here and here, if you care to check my record. Resources are from here, and here. From the 2023 thread The...

    I have made posts in the past for lists of events depicted in media legitimate future prognostication!! Links are here, here and here, if you care to check my record.

    Resources are from here, and here.

    From the 2023 thread
    • The X-Men are able to subvert the future in which Mutants are hunted to near extinction by via Time Travel Assassination. (80%) Best case scenario this gets them until 2029, where genetically modified corn is used as a bioweapon that makes the X-Gene unable to be passed on to the next generation. (20%)
    • "The Purge" crime exemption period is declared an economic success, despite reports that average citizens do not appear to be engaging in the expected amounts of violent crime sprees and would rather not kill people for funzies. (70%)
    • Tensions rise on the Shield Corporation, despite substantial progress in repairing the Ozone Layer and their critical efforts to keep humanity alive. Expect a public response from former Shield Corp employees such as, Dr. Allan Neyman, Connor Macleod and Louise Marcus. (70%) Maybe an alien wizard helps too. (40%)
    • After 50 years of inactivity, the notorious serial killer Leatherface once again strikes deep in the heart of Texas. (60%) No bet on whether or not he's still using the same chainsaw.
    • The Avengers are able to undo Thanos's use of the Infinity Stones and restore the existence of half the universe's occupants. (1:14,000,605) This may or may not decanonize the previous prediction regarding the X-Men, but it's probably for the best if it does. (N/A, multiverse)
    From the 2020s thread, up to 2024

    2020

    • Interstellar traveler Sonic the Hedgehog travels from the Planet Mobius to Earth to defend the planet against the evil Dr. Ivo Robotnik. (Sonic the Hedgehog)
    • United Defense Force (UDF), a global military alliance established to combat the alien threat, finally achieves a victory over the Mimics at Verdun using newly developed mech-suits. Major William Cage is stuck in a loop in time in order to prevent their retaliation. (Edge of Tomorrow)
    • Brothers Yancy and Raleigh Becket pilot a Jaeger named Gipsy Danger to defend Anchorage from a category-III Kaiju codenamed Knifehead. Yancy dies and Raleigh retires from the Jaeger Defense program. (Pacific Rim)

    2021

    • Moon Colonies founded such as Moon City and Farside 5. (Moon Zero Two)
    • Matilda Asteroid impacts Earth, decimating all terrestrial life. (Seeking a Friend for the End of the World)
    • Johnny Mnemonic discloses cure for "nerve attenuation syndrome," (NAS) discovered by the Pharmakom corporation. (Johnny Mnemonic)

    2022

    • Fifth Annual Purge takes place. Future US Senator and President Charlene "Charlie" Roan survives, and ultimately brings an end to the practice of the Purge. (The Purge/Purge: Election Year)
    • Climate control satellites nearly cause a Geostorm, that threatens to cause cataclysmic damage to the Earth. (Geostorm)
    • The food product Soylent Green is revealed to be composed primarily of recycled human material. (Soylent Green)

    2023

    • Earth's Mightiest Heroes attempt to subvert the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos and recover the humans affected by the event now known as "The Blip." (Avengers Endgame)
    • Kitty Pride sends Wolverine back to 1973 in order to subvert the events that led to the creation of the Sentinels. (X-Men: Days of Future Past)
    • Sixth Annual Purge. (The Purge: Anarchy)

    2024

    • American civilians wander a post-nuclear war apocalypse. Canine Telepathy has been observed as a side effect of radiation. (A Boy and His Dog)
    • The remaining vampire covens are on the verge of annihilation by the Lycans. (Underworld Franchise)
    • Connor MacLeod succeeds in taking down the Planetary Shield and Earth is once again able to see the stars. (Highlander II)
    From the next five years thread in 2022, up to 2024

    2022

    • Robert Thorn publishes expose on how Soylent Corporation has been using deceased persons in their Soylent Green food product.

    2023

    • Avengers are able to undo the effects of The Snap, restoring life to the organisms effected.

    2024

    • Bell Riots occur, a key moment in human history where Gabriel Bell lead a group to capture the San Francisco Sanctuary Zone A, putting a spotlight on the conditions within.

    EDIT: Nothing to see here… /joke

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      kfwyre
      Link Parent
      Confirmed: moocow1452 is a time traveler who saw this post in the present and then went back years to plant the exact answers to it in the past.

      Confirmed: moocow1452 is a time traveler who saw this post in the present and then went back years to plant the exact answers to it in the past.

      5 votes
      1. moocow1452
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        EDIT: I have no idea what you’re talking about, @kfwyre…
        • Exemplary

        Ooh! Good idea! brb…

        EDIT: I have no idea what you’re talking about, @kfwyre…

        2 votes
  11. first-must-burn
    Link
    I am listening to The Callahan Chronicles by Spider Robinson (highly recommended). In "The Law of Conservation of Pain", they were visited by a time traveler (and his brother) from 1995. I think...

    I am listening to The Callahan Chronicles by Spider Robinson (highly recommended). In "The Law of Conservation of Pain", they were visited by a time traveler (and his brother) from 1995. I think the book was originally published in 1977.

    2 votes
  12. kfwyre
    Link
    Since topic-level mentions don’t ping people, I’m pinging @carsonc in this comment to let them know I mentioned them. Please mark this comment as off-topic so it doesn’t get in the way of discussion.

    Since topic-level mentions don’t ping people, I’m pinging @carsonc in this comment to let them know I mentioned them.

    Please mark this comment as off-topic so it doesn’t get in the way of discussion.

    5 votes
  13. Comment removed by site admin
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