![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TH031724.jpeg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1\")
I\u2019ve been a science fiction enthusiast since my teenage years. I believe I\u2019ve read every Robert A. Heinlein and Isaac Asimov science fiction novel available at the public library. To this day, I occasionally reminisce and indulge in reading one or more of my favorites from that genre. And yes, I wholeheartedly admit that I\u2019m a massive fan of all the Star Trek series. I proudly identify as a Trekkie. Don\u2019t judge me. <\/p>\n
I began contemplating some of the science fiction concepts we encountered in episodes of Star Trek, particularly the Original Series and The Next Generation, which have since become reality and are widely used today. Additionally, there are others that are currently in the development phase and may even become reality within my lifetime. Let me mention a few: the \u201ccommunicator.\u201d When Captain Kirk wanted to beam aboard his ship, he would simply flip open his communicator and utter the phrase, \u201cBeam me up,\u201d and the teleporter would execute the command. Although we haven\u2019t yet developed teleporter technology, Motorola\u2019s invention of the first flip phone, oddly resembling the communicator, was named Star Tak. I can\u2019t help but wonder what inspired that name. Here are a few more examples.<\/p>\n
Replicator: If you\u2019re not a Trekkie, the replicator was a device that allowed individuals to simply state their desire for food to a machine, and it would be instantly created before their eyes. Currently, technology is exploring ways to create edible foods using 3D printing technology. Although not yet widely available, it seems to be on the path to becoming the precursor of a replicator. 3D printed (replicated) food is already being produced, and it\u2019s possible that the food you just ate wasn\u2019t actually a hamburger. However, I predict that it won\u2019t be long before it becomes commonplace. Imagine ordering \u201cTea, Earl Grey, hot\u201d and having it magically appear in front of you.<\/p>\n
The Holodeck: The holodeck is a room with gridlines on its walls. When commanded, it can create a visually realistic reality through computer-generated life-like images and structures. Essentially, it\u2019s a 3D virtual reality space. We\u2019re getting closer to that concept with technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality headsets.<\/p>\n
PADDs, handheld tablet devices commonly seen in Star Trek episodes, especially in The Next Generation, predate the advent of iPads and Android tablets. At the time of their creation, they were considered science fiction, but today, they are a common reality. For those curious, a PADD stands for Personal Access Display Device. I can\u2019t help but wonder if the name iPad was inspired by PADDs. And while pondering that, did the Android brand draw inspiration from Data, the most renowned android of all?<\/p>\n
It was once science fiction to have a computer speak to you, or to have you speak to it. Now, we do it all the time: \u201cHey Siri.\u201d Personal computers were once science fiction too. In fact, I recently read about a device that can scan a human body and diagnose medical problems. I wonder if it will be called a tricorder. While we don\u2019t yet have holographic doctors treating us, an e-visit is certainly a step in that direction.<\/p>\n
Universal Translators were devices used in the Star Trek series to facilitate communication between species from different planets, has now become a reality.\u00a0\u00a0 Today, we have\u00a0 earbud devices that can translate over 150 languages in real-time\u00a0 .<\/p>\n
In conclusion, I am certain there are numerous more instances of what was not but since has become a reality. I may need to rewatch all the episodes to identify what was not but is now. One final thought: I believe Donald Trump made a significant error in choosing the name Space Force; it should have been Star Fleet. Live Long and Prosper.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I\u2019ve been a science fiction enthusiast since my teenage years. I believe I\u2019ve read every Robert A. Heinlein and Isaac Asimov science fiction novel available at the public library. 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Unclean!","author":"Tom Lind","date":"February 11, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"This article was originally published on January 16, 2013. \u00a0In that I am suffering a similar ailment this day, just over a year later, I wish to illustrate that thus far science and medicine have made no strides \u00a0in curing this condition. <-------------------------------------------------------------------) When I woke up Thursday morning I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"common-cold","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/common-cold-150x150.gif?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":530,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=530","url_meta":{"origin":14475,"position":3},"title":"Is Big Brother Watching? (Part 2)","author":"Tom Lind","date":"August 3, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"In previous blog articles I discussed camera technology as it is being used for speed and red light enforcement and surveillance cameras. A third camera technology came on the scene several years ago and is gaining popularity. This technology is known as LPR. LPR stands for License Plate Reader or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"License Plat Reader","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/plate-reader-JPEG-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":907,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=907","url_meta":{"origin":14475,"position":4},"title":"Out of Control Gun Control","author":"Tom Lind","date":"June 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Recently there has been an influx of witticisms by various groups and individuals who either do, or do not, support gun control. Mostly it has been a play on words using the over used clich\u00e9 \u201cguns don't kill people, people kill people\u201d. Actually, to put a fine point on it,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"maybe-93071869495_xlarge","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/maybe-93071869495_xlarge-150x150.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":866,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=866","url_meta":{"origin":14475,"position":5},"title":"Who Is Watching?","author":"Tom Lind","date":"April 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Some years back the City of Cincinnati committed to becoming one of those cities that would attack the crime problem by putting up a network of surveillance cameras in strategic locations throughout the city. Initially the idea was to put four cameras on many intersections of interest, with a camera\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"Surveillance cartoon","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Surveillance-cartoon-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p38YRh-3Lt","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14475"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14479,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14475\/revisions\/14479"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}