May 26, 2025: The Future Is . . . Bagel Sandwiches?

As someone who enjoys a good alternate history or near-science-fiction game, I always like thinking about signifiers to let folks know, "Hey, the future is different!"

One thing that came to mind today – which might be useful for certain RPGs – is how different cooking tech can become so commonplace as to be near-invisible. Both coffee-pod brewing systems and air fryers are barely a couple of decades old for home use. Instant Pots are younger than that.

Similarly, once these gizmos start making their way into homes, other items tend to piggy-back on their availability. Various flavored hot beverages are designed to work in coffee-pod devices, and my preferred breakfast of choice in recent months – a spicy chicken bagel sandwich – comes with air-fryer instructions that result in a meal that feels like it came out of a Star Trek replicator.

(Of course, all this talk of food is sidestepping the rise of 3D printers . . . but you know how much we love those . . .)

So, when you want a quick and easy way to build a bit of future, think of something lots of folks could be eating tomorrow. Then come up with a device that makes it simple to enjoy that food at home. It won't be as revelatory as anti-gravity belts or off-the-shelf cybernetics, but it's still a nice touch to add a bit of tomorrow.

Now, can I interest you in a quick-brew boba tea or a plate of fresh-zapped potato chips?

-- Steven Marsh