Where’s my jetpack got to? And other sci-fi tech queries

In contemplating the future, many enthusiasts engage in a whimsical thought exercise known as “Where’s my jetpack?” This prompts a nostalgic revisitation of the science fiction narratives from our youth where we often pondered: “What happened to all those futuristic conveniences we were promised?” Yes, we enjoy innovatively advanced technologies like videophones, compact computers, and robotic missions to Mars, in addition to bioluminescent bunnies. Yet, the tantalizing prospects of jetpacks and flying cars still elude us.

Intriguingly, while it’s easy to focus on the absence of specific gadgets, another poignant question arises for me: “Where are the social transformations I was led to expect as a child?” This thought resonates deeply, particularly regarding the envisioned breakthroughs in gender equality. The tantalizing dream of broadening gender roles and exploiting the rich possibilities of gender dynamics seem to have dissipated into obscurity.

This reflective sentiment arose during a recent discussion with fellow writers on retro-futurism at WorldCon, igniting contemplation around how past perceptions of the future still influence our present.

The seeds of gender equality discussions in speculative fiction can be traced as far back as 1915, with Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s groundbreaking novel Herland. In her visionary text, a band of male explorers stumbles into a matriarchal society thriving with a strikingly idyllic community structure reminiscent of Wonder Woman’s Themiscyra.

Fast forward to the futuristic musings of the 1974 cult classic Zardoz, which portrays an unconventional future where love knows no gender boundaries, featuring a memorable scene where Sean Connery, dressed in a delicate wedding gown, marries another man in a technologically advanced homage to freedom and love.

Today, while many nations have embraced women’s suffrage and the same-sex marriage movement is making strides globally, other aspects of societal evolution remain in a peculiar state of stagnation, similar to jetpacks—just on another plane.

One thought-provoking example is the notion of male pregnancy. You would be astonished at how frequently this concept appears in science fiction lore.

A prime example is the 1994 comedy Junior, which humorously explores the concept of scientific advancement enabling male characters, epitomized by Arnold Schwarzenegger, to experience pregnancy.

This theme resurfaces in Marge Piercy’s seminal 1970s novel Woman on the Edge of Time, where the science of the future enables every individual, regardless of gender, to nurture and care for children through artificial womb technologies.

My personal favorite with a resonating narrative is Enemy Mine, a poignant 1985 film centered on an unlikely friendship between a male alien, pregnant with child, and a human astronaut, exploring themes of kinship in an unforgiving world.

The ubiquity of male pregnancy as a theme in speculative fiction reflects a time of earnest hope for societal progression. Some narrative aspects remain true: while we do have cases of men giving birth (evident in ample documented instances), the images painted by popular culture have yet to manifest into widespread normalized reality.

So, why did the idea of male pregnancy captivate the imagination of many authors towards the end of the 20th century?

Primarily, it was a ripple effect born from sexual liberation movements which encouraged society to challenge the entrenched notions of family and societal roles. If women could carve a path in a male-centric work environment, why shouldn’t men step into maternal roles as well?

Alongside, LGBTQ+ rights movements played a pivotal role as a broadened understanding of family structures pushed mainstream acceptance of varied family models—ones in which traditional roles were subverted, leading to possibilities such as stay-at-home dads and lesbian couples bearing children.

As the 1990s progressed, films like those featuring Schwarzenegger invited audiences to envision men experiencing the profound journey of parenthood.

However, in 2025, a restrictive executive order issued by US President Donald Trump reaffirmed rigid definitions of gender, perpetuating the notion that biological factors dictate societal roles—an undeniable setback to the fluid concepts once explored in speculative fiction.

Regardless of what those in power assert, while some may still wait for their jetpacks, I find myself yearning for the societal acceptance of male pregnancy.