Neil deGrasse Tyson has never been shy about separating fact from fiction, even when it comes to the sometimes fantastical world of Hollywood. (It’s because of the noted astrophysicist that James Cameron corrected the star field in one of Titanic’s most important scenes.) So it's hardly surprising that, in honor of Back to the Future Day, he took to Twitter to craft a multi-tweet report card on what Back to the Future II got right—and wrong—about what October 21, 2015 would look like.
The biggest takeaways? Hoverboards are coming, double neckties will never be a thing, and Tyson's not betting on the Cubs in the World Series.
As the Geekiverse knows well, today is “Back to the Future II Day”. So let’s do this... pic.twitter.com/kWepmtsirX
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” envisioned life on Oct 21, 2015 — Thumbprint Locks. [Got it] pic.twitter.com/hrBia4aXje
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” envisioned life on Oct 21, 2015 — Video Chats. [Got it] pic.twitter.com/LKI7tiCaoY
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” imagined life on Oct 21, 2015: Pocket Digital Cameras [Got it] pic.twitter.com/62vF17cjQB
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” imagined life on Oct 21 2015: Precision RainForecasting [Nope] pic.twitter.com/K5dwlyeL1z
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” envisioned life on Oct 21, 2015 — Drone-walked Dogs. [Nope] pic.twitter.com/pYxGqWhMeB
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” showed life on Oct 21, 2015: Multiple Home Fax Machines [WTF?] pic.twitter.com/VfOLQ77D9Z
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” showed life on Oct 21, 2015 — Double Neckties. [WTF?] pic.twitter.com/CCGAgs9F8a
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” showed life on Oct 21 2015 -- Inefficient Post Offices. [Still got ‘em]
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” envisioned life on Oct 21, 2015 — Home Fusion Reactors. [Nope] pic.twitter.com/iTojVbwWeu
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” envisioned life on Oct 21, 2015 — Flying Cars. [Still no] pic.twitter.com/Amncgq7JRA
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” envisioned life on Oct 21, 2015: Lawyers Abolished. [Dream on] pic.twitter.com/MiOg5puLmK
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “Back to the Future II” envisioned life on Oct 21, 2015 — Hoverboards. [Working on it] pic.twitter.com/9zprapgeg6
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015
The 1989 film “BackToTheFuture II” foretold life on Oct 21, 2015 — Cubs win World Series. [Unlikely] pic.twitter.com/IUsoSCZxcj
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 21, 2015