Blade Runner is a joke in retrospect! (Los Angeles, Berkeley: crime, neighborhood)

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Wing Feathers

Overall, they were not bad in predicting what would happen about 37 years later. Sure the technology is not there but the urban decay, overpopulation, decline of the city and overwhelming influx of non-American culture was spot on. The magnitude of these predictions was off, but still not bad for such a huge temporal prediction! LA is definitely not the antithesis of Blade Runner - that is for sure!


Agreed. I've seen every version made. To me the theatrical release is still the best.

They got the gentrification piece completely wrong though. They imagined that the 1970s - 80s trajectory would continue, it did not. I am kicking myself for not buying real estate downtown when it was still cheap.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

They got the gentrification piece completely wrong though. They imagined that the 1970s - 80s trajectory would continue, it did not. I am kicking myself for not buying real estate downtown when it was still cheap.

Prior to the building of the Red Line, there was no reason to think that it would not continue, especially considering the complete failure of the attempts to fix up downtown through the years prior to the subway being built.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by readymade

You guys forgot "Soylent Green!" We're apparently going to be EATING each other in 10 years!

A not-so-modest proposal. But maybe if we can locate the corn-fed, free range ones, we can move forward with this.

[Mr_Geek]

If you guys want to see some newer tech in older TV check out Star Trek: The Next Generation.

They were using laptop like and iPad like devices in the late 80's early 90's. They also used many other devices that closely resemble todays tech. Not quite 50 years ago but quite impressive guesses by the writers (even though Star Trek TNG takes place really far into the future).

[Sizzle-Chest]

Originally Posted by Mr_Geek

If you guys want to see some newer tech in older TV check out Star Trek: The Next Generation.

They were using laptop like and iPad like devices in the late 80's early 90's. They also used many other devices that closely resemble todays tech. Not quite 50 years ago but quite impressive guesses by the writers (even though Star Trek TNG takes place really far into the future).

I know, just like those doors at the supermarket that open when you walk up!

[NorCal Dude]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the curse of blade runner.

How about some of the companies advertised in Blade Runner that were at the top of their game, that are now defunct:

Cuisin Art
Pan AM
Atari
Bell Systems

[readymade]

Originally Posted by Sizzle-Chest

I know, just like those doors at the supermarket that open when you walk up!

This will be mine some day: ThinkGeek :: Star Trek Electronic Door Chime

[New Horizons]

It's called McDonald's.

Originally Posted by readymade

You guys forgot "Soylent Green!.

[RaymondChandlerLives]

Flying cars for the masses will NEVER happen. We can barely handle driving on ground.

[Visit a Library]

Originally Posted by munchitup

Nothing says a city in decline like record-low crime rates and rapidly improving infrastructure.

I do not believe crime is on the decline. In fact, it's on the rise on the Westside, and people I talk to from other areas are seeing it rise as well, particularly in the valley. I believe the real crime stats are being hidden, just like Tony Villar's tattoos.

Furthermore, the infrastructure is not improving -- just looke at the roads, sidewalks, etc. and tell me this city isn't becoming more Third World by the day.