March 6, 2005

SOD: Future Perfect (Golf in the Year 2000)

Our latest site of the day (SOD) is "Future Perfect" - This site is the companion blog for an odd little Victorian literary gem called Golf In The Year 2000, or What We Are Coming To. Which is available to read for free right here.

According to author Steve Smith this blog is dedicated to: "Tracking news about the site and the book and offering commentary on speculative fiction, Victorian-era literature, futurism and ... maybe ... golf."

Below is a description of the book (written in 1892?) that predicts the world of 2000.

I haven't had much time to really look into this, but I eat stuff like this up, so hopefully I don't find out this "book" was written a few years ago in an attempt to drum up some internet traffic... so far it checks out and looks enjoyable and interesting... stay tuned...

Golf in the Year 2000

Written by a mysterious 19th-century Scottish golfer named J. (or Jay) McCullough, who here used the pseudonym "J.A.C.K.," it also predicted the advent of golf carts, golf professionals and international golf competitions.

The book chronicles the tale of one Alexander J. Gibson who falls into a deep sleep in 1892. He awakens 108 years later into a world, where, among other wonders, women dress like men and hold top positions in society. They also do all the work while the men play golf full time!

Gibson finds that his beloved game of golf has changed radically, too. He has to adjust to the existence of driverless golf carts, golf clubs that automatically register one's score and jackets that yell "Fore!" whenever the wearer begins to swing.

He also watches (via a television-like device that works through an elaborate array of mirrors) a golf competition between Britain and the United States, much like the Ryder Cup which began in 1927.

He finds there's one thing about golf that hasn't changed: making excuses for poor play. "The same old excuses, I thought. Among all those inventions, surely they might have got something new in that line."

Gibson's adventures in the year 2000 include riding in an underground tubular railway, which everyone calls the "tub." He also reads about a new London-to-New York speed record of two hours and 32 minutes, registered by an underwater bullet-type train.

Visit the blog: FUTURE PERFECT
Read the online book: Golf in the Year 2000

One doesn't link to the other, so it's a little confusing.

(A suggestion for Mr. Smith... find a way for the online book to have some linkage to the blog and vice versa)... otherwise, a nice start to what is sure to be an interesting blog.

Good Luck!

Filed under SITE OF THE DAY | Authored by BogeyMan | Comments (0)
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