The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

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The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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‘Back to the Future’ Day reminds us to think positively about what’s coming next

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The day that Marty McFly and Doc Brown traveled to in “Back to the Future Part II.” Photo credit: Courtesy of YouTube
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The day that Marty McFly and Doc Brown traveled to in “Back to the Future Part II.” Photo credit: Courtesy of YouTube

It’s finally Wednesday Oct. 21, 2015. I’ve been low-key nerding out all day. Why? Because of Marty McFly.

In “Back to the Future Part II,” Marty McFly and his friend Doc Brown travel to the future in a flying DeLorean time machine. They landed on this date: Oct. 21, 2015.

There’s been tons of stories published about how our technology isn’t the same as the movie’s version of the future. There are a lot more social media posts complaining about not having a Mattel hover board or Nike power laces.

While I am a little disappointed we still don’t have flying cars, the bigger picture is more important. Forget about the fact that we don’t have holographic movie ads or finger print door keys. Just look at how the film portrayed the future. It’s full of life and new advances. It’s something to look forward to, not something to dread or avoid.

I miss that view of the future. While post-apocalyptic movies and books are entertaining, they have a largely negative view of what’s to come. Today, a lot of people tend to think our future is doomed. The only way things will end up is in death and destruction. Either the economy will crash and never recover, a nuclear war will break out, or we’ll all be killed or infected by a zombie virus.

For a TV show or a movie, it’s all in good fun. But think about it. When was the last time you ever heard someone say something positive about the future? I’m kind of sad that not too many people look forward to how the world will change in coming years.

“The Jetsons” showed us that we can invent just about anything – including a car that can fold down to the size of a brick. “Star Trek” showed us that we can achieve world peace and diversity not only in race, but in species as well. And “Back to the Future” showed us that we can make the future anything we want it to be.

Let’s stop worrying so much about World War III or the next epidemic. I’m not saying it’ll be all smooth sailing. We’ll have some problems to overcome, but dwelling on the negatives can turn into a permanent hopeless attitude. We have the opportunity to make the future fantastic. The least we can do is imagine what we want to happen in our entertainment.

Let’s get back to being positive about the future. After all, you never know how Oct. 21, 2045 will turn out.

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