From Sci-Fi to Reality: How Films Inspired the Tech Around Us

21 August 2025

Paul Francis

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A Nostalgic Glimpse of the Future

There was a certain magic in sitting down to watch a sci-fi film as a child, eyes wide, heart racing, as heroes tapped sleek screens, spoke into tiny devices, or zoomed around in cars that seemed to fly. The future felt just a reel away, and we often marveled at gadgets that seemed impossible. Yet over the decades, many of these fantastical inventions have crept off the screen and into our pockets, homes, and daily lives.

Foldable smartphone with a purple cover, standing open on a marble surface. The screen displays the time 17:51 and a colorful graphic.

Star Trek and the Rise of Mobile Phones

One of the most obvious examples is the mobile phone. Fans of Star Trek will remember the original series’ communicators, small flip devices that allowed instant contact across distances. These were a clear inspiration for the flip phones that became ubiquitous in the 1990s and early 2000s. Even today, the sleek, touch-screen smartphones we carry owe a nod to that early vision of portable, personal communication.

Beyond Phones: Sci-Fi as a Blueprint for Innovation

Films like Back to the Future Part II imagined hoverboards, self-lacing shoes, and video calling long before they became tangible possibilities. Science fiction has often served as a blueprint, a source of collective imagination that engineers and designers try to replicate. Robotic assistants, smart home devices, and augmented reality technologies can all trace at least part of their conceptual lineage back to the silver screen.

Medical Technology Inspired by Fiction

Medical technology has also benefited from the visionary ideas of science fiction. The Star Trek medical tricorder, capable of diagnosing ailments instantly, inspired real-world attempts at portable diagnostic tools. Companies and researchers have been working on handheld devices capable of scanning vitals and detecting illnesses quickly, a technology that could revolutionise healthcare access in remote areas.

Challenges of Turning Fiction Into Reality

Yet translating fiction into reality is rarely straightforward. Many innovations seen in films face practical, economic, and ethical challenges. The self-driving cars imagined in Total Recall and Minority Report are now being tested in real cities, but safety, regulation, and infrastructure remain hurdles. Similarly, while gesture-controlled interfaces and holographic displays dazzle audiences in cinemas, creating responsive, reliable, and affordable versions for daily use is far from simple.

Close-up of a person wearing glowing, futuristic HUD glasses with digital patterns. Eye-focused, hi-tech ambiance against a dark backdrop.

Nostalgia Keeps the Dream Alive

Nostalgia, however, keeps the dream alive. Older audiences smile at seeing Star Trek communicators reflected in their pocket devices, while younger viewers are inspired by the visions they see on screen today. Science fiction acts as both motivator and mirror, reflecting our hopes for the future and nudging technologists to turn imagination into reality.

Looking Forward: The Fantastical Becoming Mundane

So, while we may not be zooming around on hoverboards or casually teleporting from place to place just yet, the gadgets we carry and the technologies we rely on are increasingly influenced by what once seemed impossible. Perhaps one day, the fantastical devices of today’s films will be the mundane tools of tomorrow, and future generations will look back with the same nostalgic wonder we do now. Until then, keep an eye on the screen—it may just be the blueprint for the next revolution in technology.

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The Promise of Weight-Loss Drugs for the UK: A Game Changer for Public Health and the NHS

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Oct 16, 2024
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The UK is facing a growing obesity crisis, with nearly two-thirds of adults classified as overweight or obese. In recent weeks, discussions around tackling this problem have intensified, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting advocating for the widespread use of new weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. These medications, which have already shown remarkable results in helping people lose between 15-22% of their body weight, could be game changers for public health and the NHS.

Streeting's recent suggestion to offer these drugs to unemployed individuals with obesity is particularly bold. The idea is that by helping people manage their weight, these medications could not only improve health outcomes but also assist individuals in returning to work, alleviating both the personal and economic costs associated with obesity. The economic burden of obesity in the UK is staggering, with the NHS currently spending an estimated £6 billion annually on obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.

Weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro are promising because they directly address one of the root causes of these chronic diseases—excessive body weight. Clinical trials have shown their effectiveness, with Mounjaro achieving as much as 22.5% weight loss in some patients. This is a significant reduction that can help prevent or alleviate many obesity-related conditions, reducing the need for costly treatments, surgeries, and medications.

Moreover, these drugs could have a long-term ripple effect on the NHS. Fewer patients requiring treatment for obesity-related diseases would mean reduced pressure on hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals. This is particularly crucial as the NHS grapples with ongoing budget constraints and workforce shortages. In the long run, this could free up resources to address other pressing healthcare needs while also improving patient outcomes.

But the benefits don't stop with healthcare savings. There is also a strong economic argument for supporting the use of weight-loss drugs. By helping people manage their weight, the drugs could reduce absenteeism from work due to obesity-related illness. The recent pilot study in Greater Manchester aims to explore this further, investigating how weight-loss treatments impact both health outcomes and employment status. In a society where obesity can be a barrier to employment, giving people the tools to manage their weight could help them re-enter the workforce and contribute to the economy.

The recent £279 million investment from Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, shows a commitment to exploring how weight-loss drugs can be integrated into healthcare systems effectively. This partnership with the government will fund real-world studies of these medications, providing crucial data on their long-term effects and benefits. The government’s approach of testing these drugs in a clinical setting before wider rollout will ensure that any ethical, financial, or logistical concerns are addressed early on.

However, these medications alone are not a silver bullet. As some health experts have pointed out, there are broader societal issues contributing to obesity that need to be addressed, such as food environments that promote unhealthy eating habits. While weight-loss drugs offer a powerful tool in combating obesity, they must be part of a broader strategy that includes education, access to healthy food, and lifestyle support.

In conclusion, the introduction of Wegovy and Mounjaro in the UK holds immense promise for improving public health, reducing NHS costs, and even boosting the economy by getting people back into work. While there are challenges to be navigated, including ensuring equitable access and addressing the root causes of obesity, these drugs could be the catalyst for a major shift in how the UK approaches obesity management. The benefits could be monumental, both for individuals struggling with their weight and for the wider healthcare system that supports them.