WILLisms.com: The Future (finally) Is Now (sort of...)

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The Future (finally) Is Now (sort of...)

Remember growing up and reading those "futuristic" books of how the future would be?

The books were probably printed in the 60's or 70's but they still were in public school libraries when I checked and rechecked them out, repeatedly, in elementary school in the early-mid 80's.

I loved the animated drawings of "Cities of the future" with all the futuristic things they entailed - robots, automated walkways, lots of tubes and really shiny buildings that didn't have things like... edges.

But the coolest thing of all was flying cars.

Between these books and Hollywood movies (Bladerunner had flying cars and it took place in 2010-ish Los Angeles; Back to the Future had flying car modification and it took place in 2015 Hill Valley) we should be on the brink of commuter skyways.

Where are our flying cars? We have no flying cars.

Or do we?

For a mere $3,500,000.00 you can own your very own flying car.

And as an added bonus, this baby runs on cleaner alcohol-based fuel and actually gets 21 miles per gallon - in case gas pump prices are taking their toll.

The fact that this sucker gets better economy than most SUVs and trucks is impressive.

Buyers must clear regulatory requirements, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Federal Aviation Administration authorization.

And then there's the issue of parking. But, hey... baby steps, right?

I'd just find it hugely entertaining to see the face of a state trooper as s/he clocks you going about 340 mph.

I think that we're still a long way off from affordable flying cars. Once again, technology, economics and real-life trump hollywood. But maybe that's a good thing. We've all seen morons not able to handle simple things like traffic signs, HOV lanes and not putting down their cell phones.

Do we want these people in aircraft?

Hoodlumman normally crash lands over at File it Under.

Posted by Hoodlumman · 30 September 2005 09:15 AM

Comments

Hi Hoodlumman!... Did you get into your new house alright? I always wish I could fly over the traffic jams. BUT... if everyone could fly it would be a Big mess and wouldn't be as fun!

Posted by: Zsa Zsa at September 30, 2005 10:23 AM

I'm closed and completely moved into my new place now, ZZ. It's wonderful. I'll probably do some before and after pictures over at Gail's place.

I don't ever think flying will be something everyone will be able to do as a commute. But flying cars are still cool...

Posted by: Hoodlumman at September 30, 2005 10:29 AM

I agree! It would have come in handy during the evacuation the other day! My husband and I were trying to get to the mountains of New Mexico! ...BUT we decided to turn around because our flying car wasn't working!

Posted by: Zsa Zsa at September 30, 2005 10:39 AM

Hoodlumman? Don't you think it would be so cool to fly around in Dallas? The skyline is so cool in Dllas! BUT... those Dallas drivers are not the nicest on earth! They just will not let me merge! Have you noticed that? ...AND I love that Dallas skyline!

Posted by: Zsa Zsa at September 30, 2005 10:47 AM

Great post, Hood! And fitting of Will's decor.

I too was enamored with all those books. If you look at old Popular Science mags you can find articles on flying cars. They been working on making it practical since the '60s.

Your point about whether or not we actually want people flying around in cars in general is a good one though. I don't think it's ever going to happen. Thinking about all the insurance that would have to go into this and the potential for catastrophic damage -- I doubt it'll happen.

Posted by: Cullen at September 30, 2005 11:19 AM

I've flown directly over downtown Dallas at night in a single-prop six-seater plane on a trip back from a Texas A&M football game.

Absolutely beautiful from 2000 feet.

Cullen - I don't think it'll ever happen, either. At least not on any kind of large scale. You're right re: insurance - that'll be the killer.

Posted by: Hoodlumman at September 30, 2005 11:26 AM