Back To The Future Day is a chance to step back, look at our lives and work out if for once, the world of Hollywood has accurately predicted what it believed at the time was the future.
In full recognition of their vision they actually got a LOT right, and as you'll see, in fact there's plenty that Marty McFly has that we really want in our reality (a real hoverboard, it CAN'T be that hard).
Look deeper though, at the real innovations we've seen in the last five years and actually, we're not doing too bad, in fact some might argue that our reality is in fact better than the one with self-lacing trainers, not least because self-tying trainers are actually on their way anyway.
Here are seven reasons why our future is better than Back To The Future:
Seven Reasons Why Our Future Is Better Than Back To The Future
1. We Can Make Power Out Of THIN AIR(01 of07)
Always good to lead with a biggie and with a headline like that it's hard to argue. OK so Marty's car runs on trash which is great, but what happens when all the trash runs out?
Tech entrepreneur Lord Drayson recently unveiled a revolutionary technique which allows him to create power by harnessing nothing more than radio waves. While the energy produced might be small, it's more than enough to power the miniature devices that'll become intrinsically part of everything we see around us.
Tech entrepreneur Lord Drayson recently unveiled a revolutionary technique which allows him to create power by harnessing nothing more than radio waves. While the energy produced might be small, it's more than enough to power the miniature devices that'll become intrinsically part of everything we see around us.
2. We Can Control People's BRAINS(02 of07)
For good, naturally. The US Army's top secret research division has been working on a technique known as Systems-Based Neurotechnology for Emerging Therapies (SUBNETS). Essentially it's a tiny chip implanted within the brain that can be used to effectively cancel out the bad memories of those suffering from PTSD.
What DARPA wasn't expecting though was the added side-effect that their research could allow us to use the same brain implant technology to learn new skills ultra-fast be 'controlling' our own brains through electricity.
What DARPA wasn't expecting though was the added side-effect that their research could allow us to use the same brain implant technology to learn new skills ultra-fast be 'controlling' our own brains through electricity.
3. The INTERNET(03 of07)
Yup, that's one thing that Back To The Future 2 simply doesn't have. Sure they're all communicating via video link but is that a fax machine we see in the background? You can't be too harsh on the director though, the internet was only just unveiled the same year that the film was released.
Fast forward and it's about to provide us with a globally connected operating system that'll help us control everything remotely from our door locks to our toasters. If that isn't progress we don't know what is.
Fast forward and it's about to provide us with a globally connected operating system that'll help us control everything remotely from our door locks to our toasters. If that isn't progress we don't know what is.
4. The INVISIBILITY Cloak(04 of07)
We may or may not be taking a few scientific liberties with this one but stick with us. A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley were able to create a tiny sheet of "nanoantennas" that rerouted light waves away from the object they wanted to hide, creating the disappearing effect. While the cloak itself was microscopic in size, the team actually believe that in time it's utterly scalable.
That means that with a bit of patience, we'll soon be getting the latest invisible clothing straight from Asos.
That means that with a bit of patience, we'll soon be getting the latest invisible clothing straight from Asos.
5. Smartwatches(05 of07)
While Marty had his own talking Casio watch, there's no way we would swap that for the high-tech wearable computers that are now flooding the market. Getting better by the year, these ultra-advanced little computers do so much more than telling the time.
From helping us become more healthy, to letting us control our own cars and homes just by using our voice smartwatches like this Moto 360 and the Apple Watch are here to stay.
From helping us become more healthy, to letting us control our own cars and homes just by using our voice smartwatches like this Moto 360 and the Apple Watch are here to stay.
6. Tiny ROBOTS That Can Keep Us Alive(06 of07)
We are of course talking about nanotechnology, that wondrous and terrifying branch of science and robotics that develops tiny robots which can enter our bodies. Nanotechnology might be considered one of the most dangerous developments since the atom bomb but it's power for good is indescribable.
Already scientists are envisioning a tiny robot which can enter the body, detect cancerous cells and then destroy them. Unlike current treatments which affect all cells these robots would be tiny assassins, knowing which to kill and which to leave alone. Incredible.
Already scientists are envisioning a tiny robot which can enter the body, detect cancerous cells and then destroy them. Unlike current treatments which affect all cells these robots would be tiny assassins, knowing which to kill and which to leave alone. Incredible.
7. The Smartphone(07 of07)
One of BTTF 2's biggest omissions is the smartphone, and what an omission it is too. The iPhone, along with countless others have become our second limbs. Psychologists have even done studies on what happens when we lose them.
They are our gateway to entertainment, communication, education and most importantly, they allow us to share our humanity with a wider audience. Whether that's in the form of doing something utterly moronic on Vine, or posting a picture of your newborn's first noises, your smartphone captures and then shares everything.
They are our gateway to entertainment, communication, education and most importantly, they allow us to share our humanity with a wider audience. Whether that's in the form of doing something utterly moronic on Vine, or posting a picture of your newborn's first noises, your smartphone captures and then shares everything.
Back To The Future Stars: Where Are They Now?
Dave McFly(01 of16)
The McFlys' eldest child, Dave started work at Burger King but later got himself a white-collar job at a local accounting firm.
Marc McClure(02 of16)
Most famous for this role and for appearing in the 'Superman' films, Marc went on to 'Freaky Friday' in 2003. TV appearances have included 'Once an Eagle', 'Happy Days', 'Hunter', 'The Shield' and 'Cold Case'.
Linda McFly(03 of16)
The McFlys' middle child, Linda originally had boy trouble but was later seen in a boutique fighting them off.
Wendie Jo Sperber(04 of16)
Following her appearance in BTTF, Wendie opted to concentrate on TV, starring in series 'Babes' and 'Hearts Afire'. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, and died in 2005, with her last role being voicework for 'American Dad!'. Following her diagnosis, she founded weSPARK Cancer Support Center and is the subject of 'The Show Must Go On', which shows her working through her illness.
Jennifer Parker, Marty's long-suffering love(05 of16)
Claudia Wells(06 of16)
Claudia opted not to return for the original film's sequels and was replaced by Elisabeth Shue. She has appeared rarely on screen in the intervening years, until her return to acting in 2011 with independent science-fiction film 'Alien Armageddon'. Claudia is involved with charity organisation Kids in the Spotlight to encourage young people to make films, as well as running a menswear resale shop and maintaining a website that sells 'Back to the Future' memorabilia.
George McFly(07 of16)
A man hampered only by terrible clothes and low self-confidence, George was rescued by wingman Marty and finally proved come the hour, come the man... "You are my density!" he proudly told his wife-to-be, and thus history was rescued.
Crispin Glover(08 of16)
Because Crispin didn't opt to appear in the original film's sequels, producers fudged his likeness using disguising shots and another actor. Crispin sued, leading to a permanent change in all actors' contracts. He remains one of the industry's most offbeat characters, appearing as Andy Warhol in 'The Doors' and producing, directing and creating his own music. Most recently, he has been filming 'The Brits Are Coming' alongside Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Sofia Vergara and Stephen Fry, due for release next year.
Lorraine(09 of16)
Marty's mum, who got over her wonder at his Calvin Kleins to fall for George and safeguard Marty's destiny.
Lea Thompson(10 of16)
Since appearing in the trilogy, Lea Thompson has never really stopped working, with film appearances including 'All the Right Moves', 'The Beverly Hillbillies', 'Howard the Duck', 'Jaws 3-D', 'Red Dawn' and 'Some Kind of Wonderful'. She starred as the title character in 1990s TV sitcom 'Caroline in the City'. For the last four years, she has co-starred as Kathryn Kennish in the series 'Switched at Birth'.
Biff Tannen(11 of16)
The town's resident Romeo and bothering bruiser, made to see the error of his ways by an inflated George McFly.
Thomas F Wilson(12 of16)
Wilson's biggest role since the 'Back to the Future' trilogy has been that of Coach Ben Fredricks in 'Freaks and Geeks'. He has lent his voice to many an animation series, and appeared in TV series such as 'Bones', 'Boston Legal' and 'House'. He has also created a 'Big Pop Fun' podcast, involving him interviewing showbiz friends. Because he has been asked so often about his role of Biff, Wilson has created a 'Biff's Question Song' which he performs as part of his comedy stand-up routine.
Doc Emmett Brown(13 of16)
A man whose dreams came true, courtesy of a curious young man, a lightning-struck clocktower and a DeLorean.
Christopher Lloyd(14 of16)
A longtime actor most famous for this role as well as TV comedy 'Taxi', Lloyd was reunited with Michael J Fox in a 1999 episode of 'Spin City'. He's also appeared in 'Numb3rs', and was a regular in 'Stacked'. As well as frequent theatre roles, Lloyd has reprised his eccentric scientist for multiple voiceovers, animations, commercials and games. It seems Doc Brown is the role he was born to play. He's been married four times, and sadly lost his Californian home in a wildfire in 2008.
Marty McFly(15 of16)
Was anybody ever more perfectly cast? (Just don't mention Eric Stoltz, the actor originally chosen before Robert Zemeckis changed his mind and recruited Michael J Fox)
Michael J Fox(16 of16)
Actor, author, producer, activist, Michael J Fox has proved himself many times both on screen and off. A stack of Awards to his name for 'Family Ties' and 'Spin City', he revealed in 1998 that he'd had Parkinson's Disease for the best part of a decade. Since then, he has raised millions of dollars and increased awareness of the illness through his Michael J Fox Foundation, released three volumes of memoir and continues to act. He has lobbied Congress for funds for stem cell research. In 2007, his work led him to be named one of the 100 people "whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world" by Time magazine.