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French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

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Re: French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

#61
post #46

In the midst of rapid technological progress, encompassing breakthroughs in AI, chips/semiconductors, alongside the unsettling surge in global geopolitical tensions and the transformative impact of certain social media, particularly affecting Gen Z & Alpha, I find myself constantly pondering the trajectory of our future. The relentless pace of change prompts me to question what life may entail in the next 10, 40 year…

> Just a month ago, the notion of individuals donning AR/VR headsets while walking down the streets seemed far-fetched.

Maybe you missed the Google Glass phase a decade ago.

Re: French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

#62
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't realize that the underwater thing was so important back then. We are all thinking about flying cars, and these drawings don't disappoint, but there is as much happening underwater as it is happening in the sky. Now, we are still fascinated with flying, machines, etc... but going underwater is boring by comparison. We have submarines, mostly for the military, a bit of scientific exploration, etc... but beside…

What would be the benefit of large scale underwater transportation and living? I suppose if the surface became uninhabitable, or if we wanted to hide from space-based surveillance.

Living space. Imagine if they built out San Francisco into the sea, you would open up so much more attractive locations a to build homes at and live in.

Re: French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

#63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This seems super logical to me though: it's just way cheaper and simpler to build into the sky: few to no issues with air pressure. Fewer issues with sun-light. No issue with the build-surface moving (except for during earthquakes). Compared to building underwater: massive costly issues to overcome due to water pressure (when going deep), issues with lack of light. When building at the surface: waves, wind, lack of s…

Maybe thats exactly why they thought we would solve it in the future. Space was more of an unknown unkown.

Space is still an unknown unknown, there just isn't anything interesting there that we know of. Most sci-fi space aliens and planets are based on underwater animals and plants, so I'd argue the dream of underwater exploration is still there but now labeled space exploration.

Re: French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

#64
post #27

One of the interesting things about these photos is that, aside from all the under-water ones, many of the contraptions exist. We just call them Roomba, Kubota tractor, Audible, Philips All-In-One Trimmer, etc. One consistent facet is that many of our modern technologies are a lot more complex on the inside, but simpler in appearance. There really is one guy pushing buttons to harvest thousands of acres. There's a co…

I didn't realize that the underwater thing was so important back then. We are all thinking about flying cars, and these drawings don't disappoint, but there is as much happening underwater as it is happening in the sky. Now, we are still fascinated with flying, machines, etc... but going underwater is boring by comparison. We have submarines, mostly for the military, a bit of scientific exploration, etc... but beside…

I think the underwater craze has to be at least partially related to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which was published in 1871.

Re: French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

#65
post #27

One of the interesting things about these photos is that, aside from all the under-water ones, many of the contraptions exist. We just call them Roomba, Kubota tractor, Audible, Philips All-In-One Trimmer, etc. One consistent facet is that many of our modern technologies are a lot more complex on the inside, but simpler in appearance. There really is one guy pushing buttons to harvest thousands of acres. There's a co…

I didn't realize that the underwater thing was so important back then. We are all thinking about flying cars, and these drawings don't disappoint, but there is as much happening underwater as it is happening in the sky. Now, we are still fascinated with flying, machines, etc... but going underwater is boring by comparison. We have submarines, mostly for the military, a bit of scientific exploration, etc... but beside…

>> the underwater thing was so important back then.

Because, unlike outer space, the deep ocean was a magical and alien dimension that existed only feet away from everyone's doorstep, and the technology for getting there was under rapid development. Jules Verne's 20,000 LUTS came out only twenty years previous to this article. The artist may well have read it as as child.

Re: French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

#66
post #52
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What contributes to accuracy is what’s not there. To me especially the biology and medical advancements are missing. While we’re way better at maintaining our bodies than 100 years ago, we’re still mostly focused on improving our environment, just like 100 years ago. In 2124 I’d like no illnesses, regrowing limbs, perfectly balanced nutrition that is universally available, safe and accessible bio tech, and I could go…

> regrowing limbs I can see that, in limited capacities, in less than 10 years for animals, and 20 for humans. Regrowing bones from genetic/growth defects for children at least, maybe minor bone reconstruction too.

It is closer than that. Arguable, we are regrowing lost bits and pieces already (skin graft, moving blood vessels around).

>> World’s 1st drug to regrow teeth enters clinical trials

https://globalnews.ca/news/9984605/tooth-regrowth-drug/

Re: French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

#67
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't realize that the underwater thing was so important back then. We are all thinking about flying cars, and these drawings don't disappoint, but there is as much happening underwater as it is happening in the sky. Now, we are still fascinated with flying, machines, etc... but going underwater is boring by comparison. We have submarines, mostly for the military, a bit of scientific exploration, etc... but beside…

>> the underwater thing was so important back then. Because, unlike outer space, the deep ocean was a magical and alien dimension that existed only feet away from everyone's doorstep, and the technology for getting there was under rapid development. Jules Verne's 20,000 LUTS came out only twenty years previous to this article. The artist may well have read it as as child.

Yet space now seems more accessable. The pressures in the ocean are no joke.

Re: French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

#68
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't realize that the underwater thing was so important back then. We are all thinking about flying cars, and these drawings don't disappoint, but there is as much happening underwater as it is happening in the sky. Now, we are still fascinated with flying, machines, etc... but going underwater is boring by comparison. We have submarines, mostly for the military, a bit of scientific exploration, etc... but beside…

I think the underwater craze has to be at least partially related to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea , which was published in 1871.

Yes, I was just thinking it was probably in large part influence from Jules Verne.

Re: French artists in 1899 envisioned what life would look like in the year 2000

#70
post #4

This might be a better source, with all of the images. https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/a-19th-century-vis...

It is cool they realized that horses would now be curiosities and something people would see at events rather than an everyday thing. People turn their heads today when they see a horse drawn carriage.
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