1980 In 2024 we will have flying cars 2024
The image presents a humorous meme format comprising two text sections and a photo. The top text reads "1980: 'In 2024 we will have flying cars!'" which alludes to the optimistic technological prophecies often made in the past century about the advancements we would achieve by now. Below, the year "2024" acts as a prelude to the photo beneath, suggesting a comparison of that past vision with today's reality.
In the photo, we see a night scene with a person standing in the foreground, seemingly "wearing" a very large black object on their head, creating an illusion that their head is unusually large and bulbous with a small light at the top. It's unclear what the object actually is, but it could be something like a large vase or pot. The individual's hands are clasped together in front, and their overall body language appears casual.
Behind them, other people seem to be going about their evening; there is no direct interaction shown with the foreground figure. These people are dressed in casual clothing and are either walking by or standing in groups. The image appears to be set in an urban environment, perhaps a street or open public space.
The humor arises from the stark contrast between the grandiose technological dreams of the past and the sheer mundanity depicted in the photograph, combined with the absurdity of the scene. Instead of futuristic transportation, we find a rather comical and baffling image of someone with a disproportionately oversized "head."
The element of surprise also adds to the humor. One might expect an image that exemplifies some great leap in development or an impressive manifestation of human innovation when they read the initial text. Instead, they are greeted by a light-hearted, silly visual pun.
Moreover, the image plays on the often unmet expectations of technological advancement. It's a light-hearted commentary on how predictions about the future can be wildly off mark, not just on a technical level, but in ways that verge on the comedic. The peculiarity of the mismatch between expectation and reality is what makes many find such an image funny. 1980 In 2024 we will have flying cars 2024
