alt Hacker NewsThe most interesting thing about science fiction to me isn't the things the authors get right, but what they get wrong. Like, the whole house talking in a ChatGPT voice, intelligent appliances, etc: brilliant prescience. But he still thought we'd be having linoleum on our floors...
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Lots of places still use PVC covering commonly called linoleum. And laminate that I see everywhere is not so technologically remote, with its plastic surface.
I'd hazard changes in taste are more random than technological progress.
The one that stuck out to me was all the automation, full breakfast etc but the house has to remind them to pay the bills.
> But he still thought we'd be having linoleum on our floors...
Yes, but no. He's writing a story about a character (the automated house) that needs lots (relative to the story length) of explaining. "Linoleum" very quickly conveys "kitchen floor", helps anchor the story in details familiar to his readers - and most of those readers would know linoleum is quite flammable, so it also advances the plot.
Futurism is a heavy theme in most SF writing, but you shouldn't let futurism get in the way of good story writing.
Linoleum became the premium option, now named marmoleum.
https://www.forbo.com/flooring/en-us/commercial-products/lin...
If fossil carbon ever becomes (commercially) scarce, vinyl might end up the premium choice.
I predict plank will always suck.
To quote an obscure reference from my country:
Regarding linoleum let's agree to disagree. I for one appreciate it.
It is still present in my region to an extent. This year my relative bought an apartment where the kitchen floor is made from it.
It would be dull to write about all the great new building materials our houses are made and the utter lack of futuristic convenience we actually have.
I mean, LVP is very popular today and is really not much different from Linoleum.
>he still thought we'd be having linoleum on our floors...
We still do! Idk if that is changing anytime soon in my life at least.