by Valerie Zwald

Created on: February 27, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

My vision of the distant future has always been half "Jetsons," half "1984." I can't imagine that humans would ever let go of our love for technology and new ways to be lazier than ever before. That is the Jetsons part of the picture..... hover cars, robot maids, dinners that appear with the push of a button.....I don't know if we will ever perfect having our vehicles fold up neatly into our briefcases, or if we can get our dogs to wear space suits....but human nature is to always keep plugging away, God bless us, so anything is possible.

But human nature is also to keep screwing things up, and that is where Orwell's ideas come into view. He may have been off by a few decades in titling his epic "1984"....but we seem to rolling toward that "Big Brother" existence with frightening speed. Maybe by 2084 we'll start to realize the sacrifice of personal freedoms for the idea of security is not such a hot idea. I read the novel in the actual year of 1984, and it scared the hell out of me....and that was before the internet, GPS, identity theft, DNA evidence, nano-technology, digital cameras, space stations, web cams, Homeland Security, and microwave pizza.
Who knows how fast technology will continue to grow, and who will decide to harness it. Hopefully the leaders of tomorrow will be benign, helpful folk who strive to keep the earth green, keep the inhabitants peaceful, and continue to improve the microwave pizza idea (it could really use some work.) However, if we are not careful, we could end up under the control of a manevolent, totalitarian regime that dictates our every move and turns us into generic zombies.... Sure, it would solve the problem of what to wear everyday, but would it really be a good idea? If we get a vote, I would say lets lean more toward the nice future and try to avoid the evil dictatorship..... As that new and incredible path unfolds before us, it may bode well to pause, reflect and ask ourselves "WWJD?" (What Would the Jetsons Do?)

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