Looking at old movies about the future, you sometimes get the impression that people got things way wrong. But I really think that it depends on how you look at it. For instance, this video perfectly encapuslates how I feel about living in the USA circa 2006:
It begins with a series of commands to “Shush!” and then you’re escorted into a ridiculous looking machine by some mysterious wierdo in fancy clothes. Then you hurtle off into the fog and darkness, while a computer allegedly controls the whole thing. The whole time, shitty music is being played.
See what I mean, it’s all a matter of perspective. (Or a matter of literary archetypes, if you prefer). You know… like:
If Pacman had affected us as kids we’d be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive music.
that music sounds slightly like kurt weill to me
To continue that idea a bit further - it might explain why the aesthetic of the 50s and early 60s is SO FRICKIN’ POPULAR right now - as if people are unconsciously drawn to that time period as a comfy reflection of what came to pass…almost makes the present seem more LEGITIMATE! There must be an American Studies student out there somewhere, writing his master’s thesis on this right now…