this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2025
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Whether big or small. We all have that one thing from Scifi we wished were real. I'd love to see a cool underground city with like a SkyDome or a space hotel for instance.

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[–] rowinxavier@lemmy.world 7 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Post capitalism.

We have automation for so much manufacturing. We have solar energy which is basically free after manufacture. We could spend a fairly small amount of time really working towards automating most resource extraction and processing.

We could have a really good standard of living not just in the west but globally and we could in the process resolve the threats of climate change but instead we have billionaires.

[–] PodPerson@lemmy.zip 1 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

I think if we had the tech to make replicators (Trek), we would easily be able to go full on post-cap, as that would essentially end hunger, our over extraction of earth’s resources, landfills, recycling, people not being able to afford basics like groceries, etc. I think we have the capability to do that now without that tech, but as a species, lack the will and compassion.

[–] rowinxavier@lemmy.world 2 points 11 hours ago

From what I have read there is no physical reason that we could not all have a reasonable standard of living right now with no extra technology. The reason for poverty is not a scarcity if resources, it is a distribution problem. Some people take too much and use systems like law and governance to enforce their relative position. Ditching individual wealth would solve most of the issues which prevent a good life for everyone. Being as most wars are ultimately about wealth and the same for borders it would be revolutionary.

[–] khaleer@sopuli.xyz 2 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago)

Only the things scifi wanted to warn us about.

We already live in dystopia timelie.

[–] psion1369@lemmy.world 9 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I think a moon colony was possible at minimum the mid 90's. I only think bureaucracy got in the way along with a very stunted space shuttle.

[–] CheeseNoodle@lemmy.world 2 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Agreed, a lot of sci-fi infastructure is technically feasable its just the logistics and our lack of organisation as a species that gets in the way. We could also technically start on a dyson swarm and a lunar space elevator (not an earth one though) with modern technology and materials.

[–] psion1369@lemmy.world 1 points 12 hours ago

I'm glad to see that we are moving forward with it, I just would rather it not be by Elon. But he has the tools to get it done.

[–] Jankatarch@lemmy.world 1 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

Brain operated electronics.

Eeg headbands detect brainwaves and are used in diagnosing mental illnesses. There is also expensive portable ones for yoga people that track your sleep cycle and give statistics.

You can VERY easily have it change the TV channel or move player in a VR game. In fact there is an old starwars toy where you lift some ball by powering a hairdryer with your brainwaves for like $40.

[–] buzz86us@lemmy.world 19 points 1 day ago* (last edited 13 hours ago) (1 children)

Hemp as a replacement for plastics and synthetic materials. Food packaging shouldn't have a longer shelf life than it's contents.

Sunchips was using PLA, which is a step in the right direction.

[–] ouRKaoS@lemmy.today 1 points 15 hours ago

Ah yes ... The Thunderbags™... You were not sneaking any snacks around those things.

[–] thatradomguy@lemmy.world 5 points 22 hours ago

I don't forking understand why in 2025, taking pills is still the only way for me to get better for some illness. As someone who gets pretty bad anxiety about taking pills and who sometimes almost chokes on them, I seriously can't understand how we have pocket PCs but we don't have a way to just treat things without pills. Hell, I'll drink something that tastes horrible if it means I don't gotta test my gag reflex.

[–] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 10 points 1 day ago

Library economy.

[–] Jack_Burton@lemmy.ca 79 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] astanix@lemmy.world 23 points 1 day ago (2 children)

As long as shareholder value is the number one thing it just cant happen.

[–] rudyharrelson@lemmy.radio 34 points 1 day ago

OP says, "with our current current level of technology."

We have the technology to overcome any logistics issue pertaining to eliminating scarcity (and by extension, poverty). What we lack is the societal structure.

[–] _cryptagion@anarchist.nexus 17 points 1 day ago (2 children)

so kill the shareholders, then they won't care about their value.

[–] whoisearth@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

This is what frustrates me because in theory yes, you're right. But in reality those shareholders are not who you think they are. Many of them are your relatives through 401k and RRSP managed funds.

What I'm getting at is it would be great to Luigi a bunch of billionaires but the reality is the problem is systemic and no amount of murder is going to solve that.

We go back to the Levellers and the Diggers. My gut tells me we are going to everyone screaming for change ultimately get what they want which is someone will be beheaded but then in the aftermath you all have no fucking plan and guess what? In a few years we are going to be right back here again.

I hope I'm wrong, but history has a way of repeating the same beats over and over again.

[–] Professorozone@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Technically, you don't know that. /s

[–] agent_nycto@lemmy.world 61 points 1 day ago (1 children)

We could be solarpunk. Like, right now. With everything using clean energy and plants everywhere.

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[–] Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

AR. Being able to just pop into someone's AR world and walk around as if I was in tge same physical location.

Bikes/Ebikes/motorcycles replacing cars for single-person transport in cities.

[–] WolfLink@sh.itjust.works 1 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

VR chat.

AR is more complicated.

[–] Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz 1 points 19 hours ago

Yes, I want to pop into a live recreation of the world around somebody (as a sparkly wolf dragon with a 3million polygon ass obviously). We have the technology, just not the hardware and software.

[–] KokusnussRitter@discuss.tchncs.de 38 points 1 day ago (4 children)

Telemetry free consumer products would be nice

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[–] arararagi@ani.social 12 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I never stopped dreaming about flying cars, I just think it's not gonna happen because a crash would easily kill people just sitting in their homes.

[–] PlexSheep@infosec.pub 13 points 1 day ago

I am grateful everyday that cars cannot fly.

[–] LH0ezVT@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 day ago

Helicopters exist, they are expensive, loud, require pilot training and skill, and still crash sometimes.

[–] Couldbealeotard@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

Compared to aviation, road vehicles have virtually no structured regulations.

Even road rules are considered optional by many drivers. Lots of people drive without a licence.

[–] MissingInteger@lemmy.zip 16 points 1 day ago

A moonbase.

[–] Venus_Ziegenfalle@feddit.org 25 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Abolishing the concept of money. Probably won't happen but it would be pretty cool.

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