{"id":110130,"date":"2023-10-31T09:05:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T16:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/?p=110130"},"modified":"2024-03-08T08:03:29","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T16:03:29","slug":"things-that-used-to-be-science-fiction-and-arent-anymore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/things-that-used-to-be-science-fiction-and-arent-anymore\/","title":{"rendered":"Things That Used to Be Science Fiction (and Aren\u2019t Anymore)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bb-bh-Halloween-Post_Design-B.png\" alt=\"A decorative image showing a spaceship beaming up the Backblaze logo. \" class=\"wp-image-110149\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The year is 2023, and the human race has spread across the globe. Nuclear powered flying cars are everywhere, and the first colonies have landed on Mars! [Radio crackles.]<em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, so that isn\u2019t <em>exactly <\/em>how it\u2019s gone down, but in honor of Halloween, the day celebrates the whimsy of all things being possible, let\u2019s talk about things that used to be science fiction and aren\u2019t anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artificial Intelligence (AI)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Have we gotten reader fatigue from this topic yet? (As technology people by nature, we\u2019re <a href=\"\/blog\/ai-101-how-cognitive-science-and-computer-processors-create-artificial-intelligence\/\">deep in it<\/a>.) The rise of generative AI over the past year or so has certainly brought this subject into the spotlight, so in some ways it seems \u201cearly\u201d to judge all the ways that AI will change things. On the other hand, there are lots of tools and functions we\u2019ve been using for a while that have been powered by AI algorithms, including AI assistants.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ChatGPT hangs out with Siri and Alexa in the server break room #shorts #chatgpt #ai\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TDSHivyPUq0?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/bzatlasbluestg.wpenginepowered.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shout out to this content creator for a hilarious video. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At the risk of not doing this topic justice in this list, I\u2019ll say that there\u2019s plenty of reporting on\u2014and plenty of potential for\u2014AI now and in the future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aliens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, the U.S. House Oversight Committee was conducting an investigation on unidentified flying objects (UFOs). While many UFOs turn out to be things like weather balloons and drones designed for home use, well, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/07\/27\/1190390376\/ufo-hearing-non-human-biologics-uaps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">some apparently aren\u2019t<\/a>. Three military veterans, including a former intelligence officer, went on record saying that the government has a secret facility where it\u2019s been reverse engineering highly advanced vehicles, and that the U.S. has recovered \u201cnon-human biologics\u201d from these crash sites. (Whatever that means\u2014but we all know what that means, right\u2026)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the video, if you want to see for yourself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs Hearing\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KQ7Dw-739VY?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/bzatlasbluestg.wpenginepowered.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Weirdly, the public response was\u2026 not much of one. (The last couple of years have been \u201ca year\u201d.) But, chalk this one up as confirmed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Space Stations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The list of sci-fi shows and books set on space stations is definitely too long to list item by item. Depending on your age (and we won\u2019t ask you to tell us), you may think of Isaac Asimov\u2019s Foundation series (the books), Star Wars, Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century (or maybe the Zequel?), Babylon 5, or the Expanse.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Back in the real world, the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/International_Space_Station\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">International Space Station (ISS)<\/a> has been in orbit since 1998 and runs all manner of scientific experiments. Notably, these experiments include the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alpha_Magnetic_Spectrometer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alpha Meter Spectrometer (AMS-02)<\/a> which is designed to detect things like dark matter and antimatter and solve the fundamental mysteries of the universe. (No big deal.)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those of us stuck on Earth (for now), you can keep up with the ISS in lots of ways. Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/spotthestation.nasa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this map<\/a> that lets you track whether you can see it from your current location. (Wave the next time it floats over!) And, of course, there are some fun YouTube channels streaming the ISS. Here\u2019s just one:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Live High-Definition Views from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream)\" width=\"750\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P9C25Un7xaM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Universal Translators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Universal_translator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">universal translators<\/a> is the cool sci-fi name, but if you want the actual, machine learning (ML) name, folks call that <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Interlingual_machine_translation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">interlingual machine translation.<\/a> Translation may seem straightforward at first glance, but, as this legendary Star Trek episode demonstrates, things are not always so simple.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra\" width=\"750\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3-wzr74d7TI?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/bzatlasbluestg.wpenginepowered.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>And sure, it\u2019s easy to say that this is an unreasonable standard given that most human languages are known\u2014but are they? Native language reclamation projects like those from the <a href=\"https:\/\/language.cherokee.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cherokee<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/oneida-nsn.gov\/our-ways\/language\/history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oneida<\/a> tribes demonstrate how easy it is to lose the nuance of a language without those who natively speak it. Advanced degrees in poetry translation, like this <a href=\"https:\/\/translation.uiowa.edu\/graduate\/mfa-literary-translation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa<\/a> (go Hawks!), help specialists grapple with and capture the nuance between smell, scent, odor, and stench across different languages. And, add to those challenges that translators also have to contend with the wide array of accents in each language.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With that in mind, it\u2019s pretty amazing that we now have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.semantix.com\/resources\/blog\/instant-translator-devices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">translation devices<\/a> that can be as small as earbuds. Most still require an internet connection, and some are more effective than others, but it\u2019s safe to say we live in the future, folks. Case in point: I had a wine tasting in Tuscany a few months ago where we used Google Translate exclusively to speak with the winemaker and proprietor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">iPads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat?\u201d you say. \u201ciPads are so normal!\u201d Sure, <em>now<\/em> you\u2019re used to touch screens. But, let me present you with this image from a show that is definitely considered science fiction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"936\" height=\"570\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_1_Cpt.-Jean-Luc-Picard.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_1_Cpt.-Jean-Luc-Picard.png 936w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_1_Cpt.-Jean-Luc-Picard-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_1_Cpt.-Jean-Luc-Picard-768x468.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shockingly, not an iPad. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, folks, that\u2019s Captain Jean Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation. And here\u2019s a later one, from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"936\" height=\"718\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_2_DS9-ARboretum.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_2_DS9-ARboretum.png 936w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_2_DS9-ARboretum-300x230.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_2_DS9-ARboretum-768x589.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">These are plans for the arboretum, so <a href=\"https:\/\/memory-alpha.fandom.com\/wiki\/Keiko_O%27Brien\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Keiko<\/a> is probably dropping some knowledge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Star Trek wikis describe the details of a <a href=\"https:\/\/memory-alpha.fandom.com\/wiki\/Personal_Access_Display_Device\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Personal Access Display Device<\/a>, or PADD, including a breakdown of how they changed over time in the series. Uhura even had a \u201cdigital clipboard\u201d in the original Star Trek series:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"936\" height=\"702\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_3_Uhura-.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_3_Uhura-.png 936w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_3_Uhura--300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_3_Uhura--768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We\u2019d have to revisit the episode to see what this masterful side-eye is about.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And, just for the record, we&#8217;ll always have a soft spot in our heart for Chief O\u2019Brien&#8217;s love of backups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Star Trek DS9 - Chief O&#039;Brien on Having a Backup\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UaPkSU8DNfY?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/bzatlasbluestg.wpenginepowered.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Robot Domestic Laborer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you were ever a fan of this lovely lady\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"336\" height=\"550\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_4_Rosie-the-Robot.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_4_Rosie-the-Robot.png 336w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Halloween_4_Rosie-the-Robot-183x300.png 183w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rosie the Robot, of course, longtime employee and friend of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Jetsons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Jetsons.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014then you\u2019ll be happy to know that your robot caretaker(s) have arrived. Just as Rosie was often seen using a separate vacuum cleaner, they\u2019re not all integrated into one charming package\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.popularmechanics.com\/technology\/robots\/a40155186\/dyson-household-chore-robots\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">yet<\/a>. If you\u2019re looking for the full suite of domestic help, you\u2019ll have to get a few different products.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First up, the increasingly popular (and, as time goes on, increasingly affordable) robot vacuum. There are tons of models, from the simple vacuum to the vacuum\/mop. While they\u2019re reportedly prone to some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/nation-now\/2016\/08\/15\/pooptastrophe-man-details-night-his-roomba-ran-over-dog-poop\/88667704\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pretty hilarious (horrific?) accidents<\/a>, having one or several of these disk-shaped appliances saves lots of folks lots of time. Bonus: just add cat, and you have adorable internet content in the comfort of your own home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Roomba Cats: Compilation\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mk4XB2wZqF4?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/bzatlasbluestg.wpenginepowered.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Next up, the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1r_a939SpYHbi5U6tpGuUY5_a9mZjf0B92hZGUb41Hr4\/edit#gid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Snoo<\/a>, marketed as a smart bassinet, will track everything baby, then use that data to help said baby sleep. Parents who can afford to buy or rent this item sing its praises, noting that you can swaddle the baby for safety and review the data collected to better care for your child.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, don\u2019t forget to round out your household with this charming <a href=\"https:\/\/www.robotshop.com\/products\/altan-robotech-giddel-toilet-cleaning-robot-round-seat-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">toilet cleaning robot<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Robot Bartenders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this iconic scene from <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Fifth_Element\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Fifth Element<\/a>, Luc Besson\u2019s 1997 masterpiece, a drunken priest waxes poetic about a perfect being (spoiler: she\u2019s a woman) to a robot bartender. \u201cDo you know what I mean?\u201d the priest asks. The robot shakes its head. \u201cDo you want some more?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"a robot bartender\" width=\"750\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sFAPW3W2yMk?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/bzatlasbluestg.wpenginepowered.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Start at about 2:00 minutes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These days, you can actually visit robot bartenders in <a href=\"http:\/\/thetipsyrobot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Las Vegas<\/a> or on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com\/video\/1027\/cruising-with-robot-bartenders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Royal Caribbean cruise ships<\/a>. Or, if you\u2019re looking for a robot bartender that does more than serve up a great Sazerac, you can turn to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2022\/08\/12\/meet-brillo-the-bartending-robot-that-can-make-small-talk.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brillo<\/a>, a robot bartender powered by AI who can also engage in complex dialogue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"BRILLO - The robot bartender\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o5e1i8H6Cco?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/bzatlasbluestg.wpenginepowered.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Please politely ignore that his face is the stuff of nightmares\u2026it\u2019s what\u2019s on the inside (and in the glass) that counts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And, if leaving your house sounds terrible, don\u2019t worry: you can also get a <a href=\"https:\/\/thebarsys.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">specialized appliance<\/a> for your home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"abstract\" style=\"line-height: 1.8; margin: 24px 12px; padding: 24px 12px 10px 12px;\">\n<h4>It\u2019s a Good Time to Be Cloud Storage<\/h4>\n<p>One thing that all these current (and future) tech developments have in common: you never see them carting something trailing wires. That means (you guessed it!) that they\u2019re definitely using a central data source delivered via wireless network, a.k.a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/cloud-storage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the cloud.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p>After you\u2019ve done all the work to, say, study an alien life form or design and program the perfect cocktail, you definitely don\u2019t want to do that work twice. And, do you see folks slowing down to schedule a backup? Definitely not. Easy, online, always updating backups are the way to go.<\/p> \n\n<p>So, we\u2019re not going to say <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/cloud-backup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Backblaze Computer Backup<\/a> makes the list as a sci-fi idea that we\u2019ve made real; we\u2019re just saying that it\u2019s probably one of those things that people leave off-stage, like characters brushing their teeth on a regular basis. And, past or future, we\u2019re here to remind you that you should always back up your data.<\/p>\n\n<!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><span class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\" id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-a930101f-ca03-49da-ace9-6c08e0db96e8\"><span class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-a930101f-ca03-49da-ace9-6c08e0db96e8\" id=\"hs-cta-a930101f-ca03-49da-ace9-6c08e0db96e8\"><!--[if lte IE 8]><div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div><![endif]--><a href=\"https:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/2832298\/a930101f-ca03-49da-ace9-6c08e0db96e8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" id=\"hs-cta-img-a930101f-ca03-49da-ace9-6c08e0db96e8\" style=\"border-width:0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/2832298\/a930101f-ca03-49da-ace9-6c08e0db96e8.png\"  alt=\"Backup Is Past, Present, and Future\u00a0\"\/><\/a><\/span><script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> hbspt.cta.load(2832298, 'a930101f-ca03-49da-ace9-6c08e0db96e8', {\"useNewLoader\":\"true\",\"region\":\"na1\"}); <\/script><\/span><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code -->\n<br \/>\n<br \/> \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things We Still Want (Get On It, Scientists!)&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything we just listed is really cool and all, but let\u2019s not forget that we are <em>still waiting<\/em> for some very important things. Help us out scientists; we really need these:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Flying cars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faster than light space travel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teleportation&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Matter replicators (3D printing isn\u2019t <em>quite <\/em>there)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We feel compelled to add that, despite our jocular tone, the line between science and science fiction has always been something of a thin one. <a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1803.08395.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Studies have shown<\/a> and inventors like <a href=\"https:\/\/content.time.com\/time\/specials\/2007\/article\/0,28804,1677329_1677708_1677825,00.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Motorola\u2019s Martin Cooper<\/a> have gone on record pointing to their inspiration in the imaginative works of science fiction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, that leaves us standing by for new developments! Let\u2019s see what 2024 brings. Let us know in the comments section what cool tech in your life fits this brief. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Halloween is the day where we celebrate all things being possible, here&#8217;s a roundup of real-world technology inspired by science fiction. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":110189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[131,10,434],"tags":[469],"class_list":["post-110130","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-backblaze-bits","category-backblaze-fun","category-featured-1","tag-consumerbackup","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Things That Used to Be Science Fiction (and Aren\u2019t Anymore)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Check out several real-world tech advancements that started out as science fiction.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/things-that-used-to-be-science-fiction-and-arent-anymore\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Things That Used to Be Science Fiction (and Aren\u2019t Anymore)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Check out several real-world tech advancements that started out as science fiction.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/things-that-used-to-be-science-fiction-and-arent-anymore\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Backblaze Blog | Cloud Storage &amp; 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