The Outer Limits : An example of this program's prescient writing

An example of this program's prescient writing

I just watched O.B.I.T. and was stunned at its parallels to the rise of the internet and social networking. Everything they talk about has obvious allusions to the dangers of having an online presence, and the great potential for harm not only to individuals but to society as a whole. At one point, one of the characters even uses the phrase "clicked on" to refer to accessing an individual using the O.B.I.T. device. I am constantly amazed at the forward-thinking ideas presented in this show, it's hard to believe that it's fifty years old.

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

Another example is from the second season's "Duplicate Man", set decades in the future in which human beings can be "duplicated" (cloned) and water fountains can be activated by passing your hand in front of an invisible beam.

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Re: An example of this program's prescient writing


a couple times characters used a 'picture phone'.
Related history:

The AT&T Picturephone was publicly demonstrated in mid-1964.
("The Duplicate Man" was aired later that year.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_videotelephony#AT.26T_Picturep hone:_1964

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

Another is the future language in Soldier. So much like texting.

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

...not to mention, "Soldier" itself has a plot eerily similar to the "Terminator" movie franchise that would kick off 20 years later.

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

Well, there's a reason why Harlan Ellison, the screenwriter of "Soldier", sued the producers of The Terminator for plagiarism.

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"Oh, well" said Zanoni, "to pour pure water in the muddy well does but disturb the mud !"

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

bregund, I just watched this episode last night & I agree completely. What's really chilling is (1) the scene where the general admits that he can't NOT watch, that it's addictive, that he's an addict himself, and (2) the climactic scene, where the revelation of the enemy resolves nothing, and his parting words of inevitable triumph sound even more true today.

TV may not have been visually slick back then, but it was something better -- it had stories about ideas, stories that not only thoroughly entertained the viewer but left him/her with food for thought afterwards.

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

Agreed - A high ranking military man admitting he is out of control is really disturbing.

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

Even OL's unfilmed episodes predicted the future!

"Expanding Human" scribe by Francis Cockrell wrote a script called "The Watchbird" that basically foretells the rise of drone technology, and its' potential for abuse in the civilian sector.

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

This episode was finally filmed as one of the "Masters Of Science Fiction" series.
I was glad to see it finally!

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

Excellent thread. You are so right, OP.

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

Because of that, even as an adult I find O.B.I.T to be truly horrifying.

"IT'S TOO LATE! THE MACHINES ARE EVERYWHERE!"

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

OBIT is horribly prescient - especially if you live in England where snooping and camera surveillance is endemic and people get punished for speech crimes.

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

I started another thread on OBIT.

What was once "science-fiction" has become a disturbing reality.

A Totalitarian World manned by Alien Computers.

Hits horribly close.

Re: An example of this program's prescient writing

Fun & Games: this ep rather anticipate Survivor and others like it,–only on another planet, with the fate of the earth at stake! 😰
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