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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WWE Night of Champions 2025: Mixed Reactions, Major Twists, and Cultural Tensions in Saudi Arabia

Paul Francis
Jun 30
3 min read

WWE Night of Champions Logo

WWE returned to Saudi Arabia this weekend with its latest premium live event, Night of Champions 2025, hosted in Riyadh’s King Saud University Stadium. The show promised high drama, championship clashes, and headline-grabbing moments. While it delivered on spectacle, it also exposed lingering challenges surrounding fan engagement and cultural tension, especially regarding the women’s division.

Night of Champions Major Matches and Talking Points

The card was packed with some of the biggest names in the company, with matches designed to shift ongoing narratives ahead of SummerSlam.

John Cena vs CM Punk headlined the evening in a match that ended in chaos. Interference from several factions, a surprise Money in the Bank cash-in attempt, and Cena's ambiguous tactics left fans split between awe and confusion. The match ended without a decisive victory, with WWE officials reportedly pleased by the “buzz” but fans critical of the overbooking.
Cody Rhodes triumphed in the King of the Ring final against Randy Orton. His increasingly aggressive in-ring style led some fans to speculate about a heel turn. The win sets Rhodes up for a title shot at SummerSlam, though many are watching for a deeper shift in his character.
Jacob Fatu lost the United States Championship to Solo Sikoa in a controversial finish. Tonga Loa and Tala Tonga interfered, leading to an unexpected pinfall. Online forums lit up with anger, accusing WWE of undermining Fatu’s momentum for shock value.
On the women's side, Rhea Ripley retained her title against Raquel Rodriguez in a hard-hitting contest. Though well-received by those watching from home, the live crowd remained subdued, reigniting long-standing concerns over how women’s matches are received in the region.

Fan Reaction: Online Applause and Frustration

As with many recent WWE events, fan response was sharply divided. Social media praised the storytelling depth in Cena and Punk’s encounter, though many viewers said the finish was “cluttered” and “needlessly complicated.” Others celebrated Rhodes’ rise but worried that Orton was reduced to a stepping stone.

One point of near-universal disapproval was Jacob Fatu’s loss. Described by fans as “a waste of build-up,” the match has been seen as a misstep in what was otherwise an impressive run for Fatu.

Meanwhile, CM Punk received a cool reception in the arena. Having previously made negative comments about Saudi Arabia in a 2020 tweet, Punk addressed the crowd during the kickoff show with a public apology. The reaction remained mixed, with some booing and others remaining silent.

The Ongoing Cultural Challenge for WWE’s Female Performers

Despite WWE’s efforts to normalise women’s matches in Saudi Arabia, cultural friction remains. Female athletes must adhere to strict dress codes, wearing full-length body gear and avoiding any revealing attire. While this ensures their participation is permitted, it restricts performance style and character presentation.

Crowd reactions also reflect a clear divide. While international fans celebrate the inclusion of women on the card, Saudi audiences often respond with polite silence rather than vocal support. This creates a disjointed atmosphere, with emotional crowd energy that is vital to wrestling performance largely absent.

The Saudi General Entertainment Authority continues to place restrictions on promotional content involving female wrestlers, and while their inclusion is now standard practice, full acceptance remains a work in progress.

Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural landscape, deeply rooted in conservative interpretations of Islamic principles, continues to influence how entertainment is shaped. WWE, balancing business ambitions with progressive values, finds itself walking a diplomatic tightrope.

Looking Ahead: SummerSlam and Beyond

The next major stop for WWE is SummerSlam 2025, where many of the Night of Champions storylines will culminate. Rhodes is set to challenge for the Undisputed Universal Title, and the unresolved issues between Cena and Punk suggest a rematch may be on the horizon.

In the women’s division, Rhea Ripley’s dominance looks set to continue, though fans are calling for her to face fresher opponents. Questions also linger over whether Saudi Arabia will remain a regular host of PLEs given the ongoing backlash around cultural constraints.

Night of Champions 2025 provided unforgettable moments but not without controversy. The spectacle remains strong, and WWE’s global ambitions are evident. Yet, the reaction to this event proves that wrestling fans expect more than shock finishes and celebrity matches. They want coherence, fairness, and authentic representation, even when the show takes place under very different cultural conditions.

As WWE looks ahead, it must ask itself whether it is moving towards inclusivity or simply adapting to its environment — and whether its audience will follow.