"In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

[WillyBWright]

Couldn't decide on which title so I used them both. <br /><br />We've been in the twenty-first century for half a decade now. We're still burning petroleum in our vehicles and we're still on the ground. When I was a kid I saw all these predictions about what the 21st century would be like and there always seemed to be flying cars. So where are they? Maybe I watched the Jetsons too much, but I'm bummed. I WANT MY FLYING CAR! <br /><br />Sorry for the mini-rant. What I'm really getting to is this. I'm wondering what boats are going to be pushed by this century. Sooner or later the petroleum will slow to trickle and there will be other means of propulsion. What do you see in the year 2525. That's only 20 years away.

 

[JB]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

We are in the fifth year of the 21st Century. Another year to go before we are a half decade in.<br /><br />Forget flying cars. Too many people and not enough space. The slightest fender bender or mishap would probably be fatal. Flying licenses will be even harder to qualify for than now. How could people who can't even drive a car safely (or even sober) do that?<br /><br />In 520 years (2525) neither you nor I will be around, Willy. Why even wonder?<br /><br />Twenty years from now is a different story. You may see it; I probably wont.<br /><br />I think most vehicles (including boats) will be electric or hybrid, burn alternative (non-petro) fuels and/or use engines not fully developed at this time. The Sterling heat engine is a good candidate.<br /><br />That's my take, anyway. I wonder what those in the industry see down the road.<br /><br />Even though you mention boats, I think this belongs in Non-boating Tech. I will move it there.