In 1964, the famous science fiction writer Isaac Asimov described what you would most likely see if you happened to be at the 2014 World's Fair. Asimov's predictions 50 years ago turned out to be incredibly accurate and perhaps a little depressing.

Here's what he turned out to be absolutely right:

“I thought that people would continue to move further away from nature in their attempts to create an environment that they liked better.”

“A kitchen utensil will be developed that will prepare ‘automatic food’, heat water and turn it into coffee.”

When science fiction writer Isaac Asimov attended the New York World's Fair in 1964, he said he "enjoyed it tremendously" but lamented that the fair couldn't predict the future. And he tried to do it himself when he published an essay called “A Visit to the 2014 World's Fair,” in which he offered his vision of the future fifty years into the future. Here are the 12 facts that were mentioned in his essay.

1. Humanity will suffer from boredom.
Asimov considered this the saddest prediction. The scientist believed that people would have nothing to do. “Humanity will suffer from a disease called boredom, which will spread with furious speed and scope. This will lead to mental, emotional and sociological consequences, and I would venture to guess that psychiatry will be the most in-demand field of medicine in 2014. Those few who are lucky enough to have a creative profession will be the elite, because... only they will be able to do what machines cannot.” In fact, his prediction came true. We miss being surrounded by high technology, which can give us more than kill a bird. We are looking for fresh women's fragrances, fashionable clothes, new gadgets, but we are all bored... We have stopped Living.

2. The devices will operate without an electrical cord.
Instead, they will run on “extended life isotope batteries.” Sounds a little expensive even for 2014, although, as Azimov believed, these batteries would be very cheap. On the other hand, we have wireless charging and a battery that lasts for half a day...

3. Most of the energy will be generated by nuclear power plants.
By 2014, Asimov suggested that these types of power plants would provide more than half of all energy needed, but he also predicted that people would begin to phase out such power plants at this time.

4. At least two new types of nuclear power plants will appear.
Scientists will construct a “space nuclear power plant that runs on solar energy and a huge parabolic lens.” Solar energy will also be widely used on earth: solar power plants will be built in deserts and semi-desert regions (including Kazakhstan and Arizona).

5. Cars will seem to fly.
Roads and bridges will no longer be needed. “Jets of compressed air will be able to lift vehicles into the air, which will reduce traffic problems, cars will be able to cross rivers with the help of this device, although laws will prevent this.”

6. Robots will be invented.
But there will be few of them, and they will not be distinguished by intelligence. “In 2014, robots won’t be very common, and they won’t be very useful, but they will be there.” Asimov predicted the existence of an electric housekeeper - huge, clumsy, slow, but nevertheless capable of cleaning and operating some appliances. He also mentioned...

7. Moving sidewalks raised above the road.
What Asimov had in mind may only be suitable for short distances. He also foresaw that there would be special devices that would deliver goods and materials through local networks, something like a local delivery system.

8. Humanity colonizes the moon
And those who remain on earth will be able to communicate with their lunar friends using “modulated laser beams that can be easily controlled in space.” Azimov suggested that this would not be entirely convenient, because... you will have to wait 2.5 seconds for the message to reach the recipient - at the speed of light.

9. Some of us may live underwater.
Sounds good for water sports enthusiasts. Asimov foresaw that 2014 would be “the beginning of the colonization of the underwater depths.” He described deep cities with bathyscaphe liners.

10. The entire territory from Boston to Washington will be one big city.
Since Boston is located near the capital of the United States, and this territory is the most populated on earth, these regions will connect and form one metropolis with more than 40 million residents. Moreover, Asimov predicted that the world's population would reach 6 and a half billion, and the population of the United States - 350 million. But according to official data from January 2014, the population of the United States is 319 million, and there are 7.1 billion people in the world.

11. Life expectancy in some regions will reach 85 years.
This is what worried Asimov most of all, as one of the reasons for the overpopulation of the earth. Why do people have to live so long? Asimov attributed this to "the development of medicine and the ability to use artificial human organs, such as the heart or kidneys."

12. The world will be fully automated
Asimov imagined that “in the world of 2014 there will be only a few professions that are not subject to machines and mechanisms. Humanity will compete to see whose car is better. For this to happen, only binary arithmetic and programming will be compulsory subjects in schools.”

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35 years ago, a famous science fiction writer decided to make a forecast for 2019. Surprisingly, most of his predictions eventually came true. The American science fiction writer shared with his readers how he sees the future of all mankind back in 1984. At that time, Asimov’s “conclusions” seemed unrealistic even to his most devoted fans. So how did this talented and extraordinary person see the future?

In 1984, the Canadian publication The Star made an unusual request to the writer - Asimov had to describe his vision of the future. At that time, it seemed that 35 years was a solid period, but even that would not be enough for the global changes that Asimov ultimately “promised” to humanity. First of all, Isaac Asimov assured readers that there would be no nuclear war between the USSR and the USA, otherwise his forecast would simply become meaningless. “If the United States and the Soviet Union continue to cling to each other, it is completely useless to discuss what life will be like in 2019. In this case, only a few of us, our children and grandchildren will remain alive, and I see no point in describing in detail the global suffering. Therefore, let’s assume that there will be no nuclear war,” the writer wrote then.

In addition, Asimov even then believed that humanity would be completely and completely computerized: from industry to the economy. But in 1983, such statements caused nothing but laughter. But the science fiction writer stood his ground, assuring that life in the future would depend entirely on machines. Such progress will inevitably lead to job cuts and the complete “extinction” of some popular professions (stenographers, telephone operators, etc.). The writer also touched upon environmental issues. So in 1984, he was confident that the consequences of human irresponsibility would lead to a terrible environmental disaster, which future scientists might be able to solve with the help of new progressive tools. Well, Asimov turned out to be right about environmental pollution, but he clearly overestimated our capabilities in solving these same environmental problems.

Isaac Asimov predicted that in 2019 the exploration of the lunar subsoil, as well as space in general, will be in full swing. The writer’s confidence about the unity of the human species was also not justified. The science fiction writer sincerely hoped that in our time people would stop organizing showdowns and focus on solving the pressing problems of human civilization. Asimov was the most popular science fiction writer of the twentieth century, along with Robert Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. His most famous works include I, Robot, Foundation, and Bicentennial Man. A representative of the legendary “Big Three” died on April 6, 1992 in Brooklyn. Read also: Writers whose ideas were ahead of their time.

35 years ago, on the eve of 1984, the Canadian publication The Star, impressed by Orwell’s dystopia “1984,” asked the famous science fiction writer Isaac Asimov to write a forecast article for 2019.

The year was not chosen by chance. Orwell's masterpiece came out of print in 1949 - 35 years earlier. Journalists seemed curious to find out how our world will change in another 35 years. Azimov also became interested and gave his own development of events.

Now we have finally reached the moment when the prophecies of the famous writer can be verified.

What came true

From Asimov’s point of view, humanity on the way to 2019 should have been disturbed by three most important thoughts:

1. Probability of nuclear war.
2. Mass computerization.
3. Use of outer space.

As for the first point, these were the pre-perestroika years, when the relationship between the two superpowers - the USSR and the USA - reached a boiling point. The world was on the verge of disaster, but the futurist still chose to remain an optimist.

If the United States and the Soviet Union continue to cling to each other, it is completely useless to discuss what life will be like in 2019. In this case, only a few of us, our children and grandchildren will remain alive, and I see no point in describing in detail the global suffering. Therefore, let's assume that there will be no nuclear one.

Isaac Asimov

Asimov also predicted computerization with surprising accuracy, although in the early 1980s few people believed in the massive development of this area. Moreover, the science fiction writer made a number of additional conclusions from his prophecy, which are also coming true today. If we touch on this topic in more detail, this is what we get.

1. Mass computerization

Asimov firmly called it inevitable. In his opinion, by 2019, society will reach a level where it simply cannot exist without computers, which will be used both in the economy and industry, and in every home.

Those countries that lag behind in this regard will suffer so obviously that their governments themselves will begin to demand computerization, just as they demand weapons today.

Isaac Asimov

This prophecy has definitely come true: today there is a PC in almost every home, even in third world countries.

2. The disappearance of some professions

This fact, from Asimov’s point of view, is an inevitable consequence of computerization. But at the same time, not everyone will be happy.

Before the Industrial Revolution, the vast majority of humanity was engaged in agriculture and related service work. When industrialization began, the transition from farm to factory was quick and painful. With computerization, the transition from a factory to something new will be even faster and, as a result, even more painful.

Isaac Asimov

It's not even that computers will take people's jobs. The need for a whole range of professions will simply disappear: any clerical work, any assembly, any mechanical repetitive work will be automated. They will begin to be performed by computers and robots controlled by them, and they will do it more quickly and successfully.

The same prediction: by 2019, a number of professions have already died out, for example, telephone operators and stenographers, and by 2020, dozens of other specialties are expected to disappear from the market. Moreover, as Azimov assumed, this is connected exactly with automation and the development of computer control systems.

3. Changing the concept of education

The advent of computers and the associated changes in the labor market, according to the writer, will require fundamental changes in the approach to school (and further) education. First of all, it must be computerized. If before industrialization a person could live well without being literate, in 2019 it will be impossible without the ability to handle computers and navigate the new high-tech world.

The futurist predicted the disappearance of teachers. By 2019, they may well be replaced by computers, and children will receive education at home - not according to the standard school curriculum, but at an individual pace and in accordance with their own interests.

In general, this prediction can also be considered, if not fulfilled, then actively coming true. The principles of raising and educating children are radically changing, with more and more parents giving preference to so-called distance learning in online schools.

4. Growing environmental problems

The consequences of human irresponsibility in terms of waste and pollution will become increasingly obvious and intolerable over time. Trying to cope will become more stressful. It is hoped that by 2019, advances in technology will provide us with the tools to help reverse environmental degradation.

Isaac Asimov

The first half of this forecast has obviously come true: environmental problems in the world are really growing. But with the second, unfortunately, there was a mistake: modern scientists have not been able to offer a way out of this crisis.

What did not come true (but perhaps will come true)

There are other ways in which human society is progressing more slowly than the astute science fiction writer expected. Here they are.

1. Robots in every home

So far this hasn't happened. Unless, of course, we consider robotic vacuum cleaners, smart coffee makers and kettles with Internet access to be full-fledged “mobile computerized objects”.

2. Successful space exploration

By 2019, according to Asimov’s forecasts, humanity will return to the Moon with renewed vigor and even create a colossal inhabited station there, whose employees will mine minerals and produce from them the building materials necessary for the construction of other objects in the Moon. The science fiction writer also envisioned the launch of global production into orbit (this would reduce environmental pollution on the planet) and the creation of a huge space power plant to collect solar energy and transmit it to Earth.

But something went wrong.

3. World peace

The need to solve social, educational, environmental, and space issues, on which the existence of our civilization directly depends, should force humanity to unite.

Cooperation between nations and groups within nations will increase - not because of a sudden increase in idealism or decency, but because of the cold-blooded realization that lack of cooperation means ruin for all.

Isaac Asimov

Asimov believed so, even predicting the creation of some semblance of a world government. Alas, in this matter the legendary science fiction writer again turned out to be too optimistic.

Back in 1965, journalists from The New York Times suggested that the already authoritative writer Isaac Asimov, whose science fiction works were dedicated to the future, make the most reliable, in his opinion, predictions for 50 years ahead. As it turned out, Asimov absolutely accurately predicted some aspects of our lives, but somewhere he was wrong.

Madness due to technological progress

Having visited the famous Expo 64-65 exhibition, Isaac Asimov was amazed by the abundance of technical devices presented at it. The trends of progress prompted him to think that all these mechanisms, taking up more and more space in a person’s life, would gradually begin to drive him crazy.

In 2014, we will all be registered with psychiatrists

The forecast given by the science fiction writer said that in half a century many people will have serious problems with the perception of reality, because it is not so easy for a person to adapt to such drastic life changes.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the devices presented at the exhibition still have not entered into people’s lives: underwater dwellings, flying cars - all this remains a distant and very vague prospect. The emphasized avant-garde nature of the exhibition led to the fact that it had nothing to do with reality: the basic physical concepts were ignored.

Yes, the writer was wrong here. However, many of the famous science fiction writer's predictions came true. Let's talk about them.

Video calling

In the 64th year of the twentieth century, the first transatlantic call with video was made, which prompted Asimov to think that in the future this technology would become natural and normal. Today, every second young person uses the same Skype (calls on which can be made for free; for comparison: the first call with video cost more than a hundred dollars in today’s terms), which indicates the accuracy of the prediction.

Communication with anywhere in the world

The science fiction writer suggested that it would be possible to call anywhere in the world - even to a station located in Antarctica. And yes: his prediction came true quite a long time ago. By the way, the code for the stations there is 672. However, only humans are developing: the penguin still won’t pick up the phone...

Robotics

In 2014, robots will not be very common or very advanced, but they will be

The prophecy that robots will have a place in the world (although the writer made a reservation that they will not become particularly widespread) has completely come true: in fact, modern phones (we are talking about smartphones) are robot computers; and almost every person has such a gadget. By the way, it was Azimov who coined the word robotics (translated into Russian as robotics). And if we’re talking about it in all honesty, there are a lot of attempts being made. There is, for example, the famous Asimo robot from Honda, guess who the robot is named after? The robot is constantly being improved and can already do a lot. Also, don’t forget about the company Boston Dynamics, which is increasingly surprising and frightening with its new robots, mainly for military purposes. But all these details deserve a separate article.

Flat Screens - TVs of the 21st Century

As for televisions, wall-mounted screens will replace conventional devices, and transparent cubes will even begin to appear, allowing you to see the picture in a three-dimensional image

Another apt remark concerns progress in the field of television technology. In the mid-twentieth century, a television was a dimensional parallelepiped, which is why the idea that such a device could be flat (and hung on a wall) was then unusually bold and out of the norm.

It's funny that the appearance of such technology surprised no one and was taken for granted by future generations: Asimov somewhat overestimated the reaction to televisions of the new century. He also said that some transparent cubes would appear, broadcasting a three-dimensional image. Even though such devices have not appeared, almost every modern TV can show a picture in 3D format. Only this turns out to be of no use to anyone: the BBC even intends to stop broadcasting films in 3D due to a lack of interest in them.

Connection with the Moon

Asimov prophesied the possibility of communication with the Moon (noting that it would be only slightly difficult) and... He was wrong. However, making predictions for half a century in advance is not an easy task: it is absolutely impossible to avoid mistakes here. In the 60s, people thought that progress in terms of space exploration would go extremely quickly: the prospect of building colonies on the Moon did not seem particularly absurd.

However, in another respect the famous science fiction writer was right: he said that by 2014 Mars would be visited, but only by unmanned ships. And this, indeed, has already happened.

Cooking food and coffee without human intervention

Technological progress in the mid-20th century did not allow the creation of a professional coffee maker that would make coffee without human intervention. That is why today's automatic coffee makers - devices that will not surprise anyone - then seemed only a distant prospect; the prospect that Asimov predicted.

The science fiction writer also said that it would be possible to produce products made from modified yeast and algae, and this food could have any taste. Partially, the prediction came true: not so long ago, a burger was created in laboratory conditions. However, here’s the problem: contrary to the writer’s assumptions, the taste of artificial products is significantly inferior to their natural counterparts.

Plasma power stations

The idea of ​​a plasma power plant powered by thermonuclear fusion (similar processes occur, for example, in the interior of stars) is very beautiful, but nothing like this has been created to this day. However, there is an international project (its cost is more than twenty billion dollars), which can be implemented in 2028 (however, the prospect remains distant and very vague).

But Asimov guessed something else: he thought about the existence of huge power plants powered by ultraviolet rays. And there really are such stations: they are located in such desert places as Arizona and the Negev (in exact accordance with the writer’s assumptions).

Robotic transport

Yes, the car of today is strikingly different from the car of the mid-20th century, but the driver still has to turn the steering wheel independently to control the vehicle. However, Google has successfully tested its autopilot. And in 2014, she presented a completely self-driving car without a steering wheel or pedals. And at that time, other unmanned test systems installed on regular production cars had already driven about a million kilometers in real conditions without human intervention.

There are also Tesla cars with an autopilot function, but these cars are still too expensive and the autopilot is not yet perfect; the company recommends keeping an eye on it and keeping your hands ready to take control in case of unforeseen situations. In cars accessible to the main consumer, a colossal number of “smart” functions act as a help, but alas, they themselves do not drive yet.

Asimov also got it right with the creation of jetpacks and ships, but they are inaccessible to a wide range of people.

Social stratification

Not the entire population of the planet will have access to future new technologies. And although people will live better materially, an even larger percentage of the population than today will generally lag behind the leaders in quality of life

The writer thought that future technologies may not be available to a wide range of people, although he noticed that the financial situation of the bulk of the Earth's population would, on average, improve. This is partly true: many of the benefits of medicine can only be enjoyed by a limited number of people, whose financial well-being differs significantly from the financial well-being of the average person. But almost everywhere there is the Internet: the global network today reaches even the most distant corners of our planet (for example, Google wants to ensure its presence even in the most “inconvenient” places).

In general, this prediction is extremely social: it is obvious that the writer was oppressed by a monstrous social stratification. Progress that radically changes life sometimes changes it only for a narrow circle of people, while the majority remains at approximately the same level. Sometimes technologies can even become harmful if they are not available to everyone. The great writer warned us about this, and there is no doubt about the relevance of his warnings.