Therefore do not worry about tomorrow
A few days ago, I was invited to attend a lecture hosted by The University of Melbourne Alumni (as a guest; I am not an alumni). I was reluctant at first because it would be presented by a professor from the School of Physics.
I studied a Bachelor of Science myself in Uni but I gave physics a wide berth – preferring Molecular Biology and Genetics. I think it was my affinity for words rather than numbers and, while there may not be many numbers on a physicist’s white board, the mathematics seemed very intimidating. I think I also saw the study of Biology as infinitely more ‘useful’ and not as theoretical. I was, however, persuaded to attend as the focus would be on how physics has helped us study the moon (being the anniversary of 1969s moon landing).
Luckily, the lecture was pitched at a level that even an elementary school teacher could understand. I learned a few things: The moon’s name is ‘Moon’, therefore we should refer to it as ‘Moon’ rather than ‘The Moon’. Physicists love spinning, throwing and dropping things. Either the Columbia or the Eagle’s computer had 70kB of memory (my memory is not sufficient to remember which). The evacuation backup plan in the event of a lunar ascent failure was ludicrous – consisting of the crew sitting on a platform pulled away from the moon lander and steering back to the Columbia by using their body weight.
But what really caught my attention was a series of slides before the main lecture started. They were news clippings about the preparation, execution and results of the mission. There was also a mock-up of a newspaper from 1969 that predicted a newspaper 50 years in the future. It contained articles about living on Mars and meeting extra-terrestrial life, but the thing I found most amusing was the fact that they thought a newspaper would cost 20 cents today!
Seeing those predictions got me thinking about other predictions I have come across. I remember visiting the Melbourne International Motor Show in the year 2000 where they had a concept car that showed what designers in the 1950s thought cars would be like in 2000. It looked very much like the one pictured here. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to be seen in it today (although I did recently see someone driving a 1960s bat-mobile replica).
I also came across an Associated Press article from December 27, 1950 titled, “How Experts Think We’ll Live in 2000 A.D.” Here are some excerpts:
“By the year 2000 some sort of world federation idea should have taken real form, with the United States…holding a lot of votes.” Close.
“The telephone will be transformed from wire to radio and will be equipped with the visuality of television. Who’s on the other end of the line will seldom be a mystery. Every pedestrian will have his own walking telephone…” This one is spookily correct.
“The woman of the year 2000…will be more than six feet tall, wear a size 11 shoe, have shoulders like a wrestler and muscles like a truck driver.” Being white, middle class and male – no comment.
“Atomic engines for large civil aircraft will do away with the problem of range and speed.” not there yet.
“People will live in houses so automatic that push-buttons will be replaced by fingertip and even voice controls.” This one is pretty accurate; I think we’re almost there.
“The nation’s industrial and agricultural plant will be able to support 300 million persons 50 years from now.” With the current population somewhere around 7.3 Billion – this prediction didn’t quite hit the mark.
And to lend some credibility to the aforementioned quotes – The piece was written by the following specialists of The Associated Press: J.M. Roberts, Jr., foreign affairs; Howard W. Blakeslee, science; Sam Dawson, economics; Dorothy Roe, women; Alexander George, population; James J. Strebig, aviation; David G. Bareuther, construction; C.E. Butterfield, television; Gene Handsaker, movies; Ovid A. Martin, agriculture; Ed Creagh, politics; Norman Walker, labor; David Taylor Marke, education.
So, apart from chuckling at the misguided predictions of the 50s, what’s the point? No one knows the future and very few of us could even imagine some of the inventions or events the next 50 years will hold. Depending on your disposition the future could look very exciting or very scary, maybe even both. However scripture is clear about what we should focus on for the future:
“31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:31-34
