The SDMB, 20 years from now

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
101

Back then I was sure in 20 years we’d still be around. Now, not so sure :(. The board feels like it’s missing something it used to have. I can’t put my finger on what, exactly, though- and am entirely willing to accept the change is in me rather than the Board.

102

It seems extremely unlikely the SDMB will be here another 20 years.

Message boards have been in decline for quite awhile. We lost Television Without Pity several years ago. A lot of boards are just barely hanging on. Tastes and interests change.

The newspaper column associated with the SDMB ended. It’s just a matter of time before the support ends.

I hope it’ll last a few more years, but no one knows for sure.

103

Interesting that some of the guesses were about how the latest Mac/PC computers would have more numbers. Nobody foresaw that miniaturization and mobile platforms would be a thing, because “bigger and better” was the prevalent thought.

I wonder how those folks would have reacted if somebody suggested that Trump would be president some day?

104

The reply would have been, “Simpsons did it”

105

I just ran into something very close to the prediction in the OP. I’m a bit behind in my SF reading, and I’m now reading the Asimov’s from December 1999. The story, by Harry Turtledove, involves a guy who goes back in time from 2018 to 1999.
There are a lot if “predictions” in here.

  1. They are still using fax machines. That’s a pretty common prediction from back then.
  2. Inflation has continued so that someone making $100 K a year is barely getting by. Well, the story is set in LA, so kind of.
  3. The Rolling Stones are not touring. :slight_smile:
  4. No one cares about South Park. I’m not sure if the prediction is that it’s not on or that it is on and no one gives a shit.
  5. The price of the daily LA Times is $2. He nailed that one. The price of the Sunday LA Times is $5. Actually $3 and change.
  6. Cars have fobs. (Did any have them back then?) That one he got. Apartments have keyless entry. Not quite.
  7. Higher speed internet, but no wifi and mostly, it seems really fast modems.

He didn’t do that bad a job. No flying cars.