2024 Roundup

It's the future, so it's time to declare which was more prophetic: Cyberpunk as a genre or Dick Tracy? Well, people still don't have cyborg implants as a regular thing but they do have watch/phone/computers, so that settles that. Let's check in again around 2081 to see how things are going. I expect great things from steampunk.

Addendum

"I grasped my phone and checked my messages. There were none." How much of a jerk would you feel like if you said that? Borgia-level at least, right?

Simplify, Simplify

Maybe we should give up on all these devices and just read books and watch kung fu movies on the Switch. Whaddaya say, fellas?

Prudence and Preparedness

A terrible evil long forgotten spread its wings of shadow over the city, promising a return of that endless, terrible night mankind thought dispersed long ago if even they believed it ever was. The citizens began to panic, but one had the presence of mind to run to the newly-installed corner phone. He checked the instructions again.
"Let's see. 'Pick up receiver in case of horror awakening from its ancient slumber. Describe the horror immediately. Do not wait for a response. Do not give your name or location. Seat the receiver when you are finished and seek safety.' Got it. Um. Some kind of demon. OK!" He slammed the phone back and took off.
Meanwhile, in the mayor's office, a light beeped. "Would you look at that? Looks like the public menace reporting system is already seeing use." The mayor chuckled. "I'd hate to be all those rumor-mongers who said the project was an avenue for corruption now. I can't wait to tell the CEO of the contractor that installed it for us."
"Yes, sir. His name was Morrison, wasn't it?"
"That's right," said Mayor Morrison. "Have we shot that thing down yet? I'd better call the governor."
Finis

Something Less Cool in Science Fiction

Implants. Some stories figure everyone will want all their technology in implant form, but instead we invented smartphones and tablets to get watches even farther away from our skin.