WSC 2025 - The Future Wasn't Meant to be

Questions: Failed Futuristic Technologies- Explore the following futuristic technologies that failed to be widely adopted. What prevented their success, and is there a situation in the future where they might find popularity? rocket mail | flying car | maglev | zeppelin | suspension railway ground-effect vehicle | supersonic transport | nuclear propulsion | hyperloop hydrogen vehicle | mecha | metaverse Excitement reflected for the upcoming century - Music For many, the 1990s were an unabashedly optimistic time; the academic Francis Fukuyama infamously suggested we might have reached the end of history, or at least the end of conflicts between dictatorships and democracies. This optimism extended beyond political and academic circles into popular culture. Review the following artworks, then discuss with your team: what kind of excitement did they reflect for the upcoming century? Were they justified? Scorpions | “Wind of Change” (1990) Jesus Jones | “Right Here, Right Now” (1991) Michael Jackson | “Heal the World” (1991) Michael Crawford | “Counting Up to Twenty” (1995) Will Smith | “Will 2K” (1999) Occult and Metaphysical ideas in music The New Age movement of the late 20th century represents a revival in the interest of occult and metaphysical ideas, with many of its practitioners very much into love, harmony, and personal transformation and healing. Explore the following works associated with the movement, and discuss with your team: do such messages still resonate today? Alice Coltrane | “Journey In Satchidananda” (1971) Vangelis | “To the Unknown Man” (1977) Kitaro | “Theme From Silk Road” (1980) Enya | “Caribbean Blue” (1991) Enigma | “Return To Innocence” (1994)

Metaverse

An expansive virtual 3D environment in which users engage and interact through personalized avatars. Initially characterized by underdevelopment and privacy concerns, the concept of the Metaverse holds potential for further growth and popularity, especially as virtual reality technologies advance.

Rocket Mail

A pioneering method of mail delivery utilizing rocket or missile technology, invented by Gerhard Zucker in the 1930s. Despite introducing an innovative concept for faster delivery, it ultimately failed due to exorbitant operational costs and frequent launch failures.

Flying Car

A versatile vehicle engineered to function both on roads like a car and in the air like an aircraft. The first notable attempt was the 'Curtiss Autoplane' by Glenn Curtiss in 1917. Challenges included regulatory issues, safety concerns, reliability, and prohibitive costs, which hindered widespread adoption.

Maglev

A cutting-edge rail transport system that employs powerful electromagnets to levitate trains above the tracks, eliminating friction and allowing for significantly higher speeds and reduced maintenance. However, its development was limited by the high initial costs associated with infrastructure and technology.

Zeppelin

A type of rigid airship designed for military operations and passenger travel, developed by Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 1900s. It gained fame during the 1920s and 1930s but fell out of favor due to severe safety incidents and increasing competition from fixed-wing aircraft.

Suspension Railway

An innovative elevated transport system where trains hang from tracks instead of running on them, first launched in 1825. While unique in design, it faced engineering complexities and higher associated costs compared to traditional railway systems.

Ground-effect Vehicle

A specialized vehicle capable of gliding just above the water or ground using the aerodynamic principle known as ground effect. First developed in 1932 by Toivo Kaario, these vehicles struggled with stability issues and economic viability, limiting their practical use.

Supersonic Transport

An advanced aircraft concept engineered for passenger transport at speeds exceeding that of sound. Notable examples include the Concorde and Tupolev, both of which encountered challenges related to excessive operating costs, environmental noise, and emissions, leading to their eventual retirement from service.

Nuclear Propulsion

A form of propulsion that harnesses the energy released from nuclear reactions to power vehicles and rockets, first exemplified by the USS Nautilus in 1954. This technology faced substantial hurdles concerning safety, radiation risk, and the large size required for implementation.

Hyperloop

A proposed high-speed transportation system characterized by passenger pods traveling at high speeds through low-pressure tubes. Introduced by Elon Musk in 2013, the Hyperloop concept remains largely theoretical and is constrained by significant technological and engineering challenges.

Hydrogen Vehicle

An eco-friendly vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel through electrochemical reactions with oxygen. First invented by Eitienne Lenoir in 1860, hydrogen vehicles faced practical setbacks due to concerns about emissions and competition from more effective alternatives like battery electric vehicles.

Mecha

Large humanoid robots often portrayed in fictional contexts, particularly in anime and video games. Designed primarily for entertainment purposes, mecha have not achieved commercial success due to high production costs and limited market demand.

Metaverse

An expansive virtual 3D environment in which users engage and interact through personalized avatars. Initially characterized by underdevelopment and privacy concerns, the concept of the Metaverse holds potential for further growth and popularity, especially as virtual reality technologies advance.

Rocket Mail

A method of mail delivery through the launch of a rocket or missile, invented by Gerhard Zucker in the 1930s.

Challenges of Rocket Mail

High costs and numerous failures (explosions, losing most of the letters) prevented its success.

Flying Car

An innovative vehicle capable of flight and driving. First attempted with the 'Curtiss Autoplane' by Glenn Curtiss in 1917.

Challenges of Flying Cars

Drivers must be licensed as both drivers and pilots, they are unsafe and unreliable, affected by weather, and have high costs.

Maglev

A rail transport system that uses electromagnets for levitation, allowing higher speeds and lower maintenance.

Challenges of Maglev

Too expensive initially and requires substantial R&D.

Zeppelin

A type of airship first successfully flown in 1900, designed by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin.

Challenges of Zeppelins

Vulnerability in war, flammability of hydrogen, the Hindenburg disaster led to a decline in popularity.

Suspension Railway

An elevated transport system where trains hang from a track, first opened in 1825.

Challenges of Suspension Railways

Harder to engineer and more expensive than normal rail systems.

Ground-effect Vehicle

A vehicle that glides over a surface using the ground effect, developed first by Toivo Kaario in 1932.

Challenges of Ground-effect Vehicles

Instability at narrow speeds and altitudes and cost-effectiveness issues.

Supersonic Transport

Aircraft designed to fly faster than the speed of sound, with notable examples being the Concorde.

Challenges of Supersonic Transport

Cancelled by Congress, expensive, loud, and high emissions were major issues.

Nuclear Propulsion

Using nuclear reactions to generate force for propulsion, researched since the discovery of nuclear fission in 1938.

Challenges of Nuclear Propulsion

Size and weight limitations for rockets and safety concerns regarding nuclear materials.

Hyperloop

A high-speed transport system utilizing low-pressure tubes and air pressure, concept by Elon Musk in 2013.

Challenges of Hyperloop

Underdeveloped technology.

Hydrogen Vehicle

A vehicle powered by hydrogen through a reaction with oxygen, invented by Eitienne Lenoir in 1860.

Challenges of Hydrogen Vehicles

High emissions and the availability of better alternatives like electric vehicles.

Mecha

Giant humanoid robots mainly found in fiction, designed for entertainment purposes.

Challenges of Mecha

High costs and limited consumer interest.

Metaverse

A virtual 3D world for user interaction through avatars, often using VR headsets.

Challenges of the Metaverse

Underdeveloped technology and privacy issues.

End of History

A concept popularized by Francis Fukuyama suggesting liberal democracy as the ultimate form of governance.

'Wind of Change'

A song by Scorpions reflecting optimism about ending the Cold War and symbolizing unity.

'Right Here, Right Now'

A song by Jesus Jones representing the revolutionary spirit in Europe post-1989.

'Heal the World'

A song by Michael Jackson focused on creating a better future for children.

'Counting Up to Twenty'

A work by Michael Crawford demonstrating innovative theatrical techniques.

'Will 2K'

A celebration of the millennium's arrival by Will Smith, expressing optimism.

New Age Movement

A revival of interest in occult and metaphysical ideas focusing on love, harmony, and personal transformation.

'Journey In Satchidananda'

A meditative music piece by Alice Coltrane reflecting on existence and interconnectedness.

'To the Unknown Man'

A tribute by Vangelis to unnamed individuals who contribute meaningfully to society.

'Theme From Silk Road'

Music by Kitaro symbolizing the journey along historical trade routes.

'Caribbean Blue'

A reflective piece by Enya inviting listeners to appreciate the world and their inner selves.

'Return To Innocence'

A song by Enigma about rediscovering one's true self and reconnecting with purity.