On July 3, 1985, Back to the Future premiered, sparking an interest in science and technology in many impressionable children. Marty was essentially a misfit of sorts, who uses science (albeit fanciful science) to change his destiny and help his friend Doc Brown.
The trilogy's bright take on science and technology changing the world provided an optimistic view of the future. While most of the predictions made by the film didn't come true, it doubtless inspired many to follow the steps of Doc Brown and dare to innovate and dream. Doc Brown might have been a bit eccentric, but it's often the folks who are considered crazy and eccentric who change the world.
We can never be totally certain about what the future holds, but we can try to change it for the better. We can build the future of our dreams. We can use creative thinking to do things people didn't even think was remotely possible. We can create our own roads. The real future belongs to all of us.
