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Imagining the Future – Carol He

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When I imagine the future, the movie Blade Runner 2049 immediately comes to mind. In the future, the world has largely been devastated by war, pollution, and natural disasters. Within the ruination there are still pockets of civilization, overcrowded cities housing extremely advanced technology. We will focus on life in the cities, where people are still largely divided by class and economic distinctions. Those in the lower classes must still struggle for survival. Life is harsh and unforgiving. Any clothing worn is for practical purpose, and little thought is given to fashion. On the other hand, the upper class are either focused on developing new technology or maintaining control over different industries. Their clothing maintains a minimalistic style and involves the usage of smart textiles. There also exists the hedonistic, ungrounded upper class population who live in opulence. Their clothing is ostentatious and avant-garde, and they live to bring fashion to new heights. The cities smell of sulfur and metal. There are constant sounds of running vehicles, buzzing electricity, murmuring crowds, and music or advertisements being played. The city aesthetic ranges from overcrowd concrete jungle to neon cyberpunk. People still travel by foot or in vehicles such as cars, but there are also new vehicles. There is significantly more air travel. There are also more technologically advanced versions of skateboards, bikes, and scooters used for travel, such as hybrid hoverboards. Food would become a scarce resource, as farming and organic growth would become impossible at a certain point. Like in the film Snowpiercer, there would be mass production of “protein” for the lower class using questionable ingredients. 3D printing technology would also be used to produce and experiment with food. Humans will ruin themselves through war and pollution, yet make unthinkable leaps in technology, to get from today to 2070.