The “Real”

What the future really turned out to be in my father’s lifetime: 1898-1982.

1. 1903. First flight by the little-known Wright Brothers, commercial by the 1930s, the moon in 1969.
2. Emperor-ship permanently gone by 1918.
3. Woman got the vote, Russia in 1917; U.S. in 1920, etc. Worldwide, still a work in progress.
4. Gross, never before world wars with 100 million killed. League and UN created to end war — a failure. Now the danger of a Star Wars.
5. The scientists discovered our “warming” global future. As old as the industrial revolution, which started in 1800. A major problem in 300-400 years — solved by science and engineering!

This is what the world was really like in the 1980s. Thirty-five plus years later and we live with our new illusions. My guess on a few of them are:

1. We have had 348 wars since 1945. No nukes used. Warring will and must go on. Force is the only way!
2. Climate change, automation and earth-deep pollution — if they exist — will hardly affect my life.
3. No need for change, much less revolution! Science, technology and my nation can handle future challenges and wars.