What was predicted for 2014? The final word of the year from Base One
December 23 2014 4:30 PM
We were going to put together a blog with our predictions for 2015. But then others did the same and we certainly didn’t want to look like we were duplicating the rest.
So what do we do for our final blog of the year? We thought we’d take a step back. In fact a big leap back. What were the predictions for 2014 technology 50 years ago? What were we going to be doing? Were we all going to be living under the sea using robots to clean our homes and driving to work in remote control submarines? Well, not quite. Predictions in 1964 from a certain science fiction writer, Isaac Asimov, were actually frighteningly realistic and accurate. We’ve selected a few….
“The appliances of 2014 will have no electric cords, of course.”
Mobile phones, laptops, tablets. Who can imagine life without them? We work from them, control our social lives from them, control our heating from them. We now take them all for granted and couldn’t live without them. “Compatible for tablet” would have had very different meanings even five years ago.
“Communications will become sight-sound and you will see as well as hear the person you telephone.”
Skype, Facetime. Again, we take it for granted. Meetings no longer need to involve hours of travel. We have multiple choices when it comes to communicating with other people. It has allowed us to be more efficient with our time, closer to those across the country and Internationally. The world really has become a smaller place.
“Indeed, the most somber speculation I can make about A.D. 2014 is that in a society of enforced leisure, the most glorious single word in the vocabulary will have become work!”
Good news for all company owners! Thanks to the technology of 2014, 24 hour working is absolutely possible. The ability to access emails and calls at any time has set an expectation hard to control. It has also enabled a force of homeworkers. There is no longer the need to travel to the office when you have all the tools and equipment you need right there in your home. It’s produced a nation of workaholics where the term 9-5 really no longer exists.
“Synchronous satellites, hovering in space will make it possible for you to direct-dial any spot on earth.”
It’s just easy. We don’t think twice about calling someone Internationally, allowing us to work with people from across the globe. The only frustration is the time difference….surely someone out there can produce something to deal with this issue?!
“The lucky few who can be involved in creative work of any sort will be the true elite of mankind, for they alone will do more than serve a machine.”
Well, we think so. And whilst even the most creative individuals use machines to some extent, there is still nothing to match natural ideas (of our very talented creative team….!)
“Robots will neither be common nor very good in 2014, but they will be in existence.”
And it’s so true. So many predictions for 2014 revolved around robots. And how they would be doing everything. Not so. Perhaps things will change, but for now, robots haven’t taken over the world.
Even with all of this….all of the amazing developments we’ve seen in technology, with everything at the touch of a button, there was one final word which is sadly achingly true….
“Even so, mankind will suffer badly from the disease of boredom.”
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year from all of us at Base One!
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