PREDICTING THE FUTURE

Kevin Drum has compiled an amusing list of predictions from the February 1950 edition of Popular Mechanics. He provides delightful commentary of how the predicitions turned out.

While I enjoyed the list, I have to point out one minor flaw:

Prediction: Atomic power is not used because it is hopelessly inefficient. It is used only in the cold, sunless north.

Evaluation: Atomic power works fine. France practically runs on the stuff.

Now, either it works fine or it’s powering France. Which is it?

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.