"The Simpsons," adored for its timely satirical wit, has also drawn notice for its remarkable
knack for foreseeing future events.
Repeatedly, this animated series has amazed audiences with its precise foreshadowing of
real-world happenings, from portraying an impending global pandemic in a 1993 episode
to prophetically depicting Donald Trump's presidency as far back as 2000, well before
these events unfolded.
Beyond these notable examples, the show has accurately anticipated various technological
and societal developments.
As we look ahead to 2024, "The Simpsons" continues this prescient trend, with predictions about
AI advancements, virtual reality, and even more imaginative scenarios like hover cars
and zombie apocalypses.
In this facts-packed video, we'll explore many of these fascinating foretellings, examining
the show's predictive accuracy and the context of these forecasts.
Join us as we delve into the intriguing world of "The Simpsons" and its seemingly prophetic
view into the future.
Facts Verse Presents: The Simpsons Makes an Alarming Prediction for 2024
Past Predictions That Came True
Pandemic Prediction: Osaka Flu vs. COVID-19
One of the most remarkable predictions from "The Simpsons" was the portrayal of a global
pandemic in a 1993 episode titled "Marge in Chains."
The fictional "Osaka Flu" hits Springfield, causing widespread panic and chaos.
This episode strikingly resembles the COVID-19 pandemic that shook the world in 2019.
The similarities extend beyond the pandemic itself to the societal reactions, including
panic buying and a scramble for cures, reflecting real-world events.
Donald Trump's Presidency
Perhaps the most talked-about prediction is Donald Trump's presidency.
In a 2000 episode, "The Simpsons" featured a future scenario where Lisa Simpson becomes
president after Donald Trump.
This reference, which seemed purely comedic at the time, became a reality when Donald
Trump was elected President of the United States in 2016.
The episode's portrayal of the economic fallout from Trump's presidency likewise resonated
with the actual political and economic discussions during his term.
Technological Advancements: Smartwatches
In the realm of technology, "The Simpsons" showcased its foresight in a 1995 episode,
"Lisa's Wedding."
The episode featured futuristic watch phones, a concept that materialized two decades later
with the advent of smartwatches.
These devices, now commonplace, integrate functionalities like calling, messaging, and
internet browsing, mirroring the show's early vision of tech-integrated wearables.
Legalization of Marijuana in Canada
The show has also accurately predicted social and legal changes.
In a 2005 episode, "Midnight Rx," characters visit Canada, where marijuana is portrayed
as legal.
This prediction came to fruition in 2018 when Canada legalized marijuana for recreational
use.
The episode's humorous take on cross-border drug smuggling highlighted broader discussions
about drug policies and reform.
Siegfried & Roy Tiger Attack
In a 1993 episode, "The Simpsons" featured a parody of the famous entertainers Siegfried
& Roy.
The episode depicted a tiger attack during a performance, a scenario that chillingly
came true in 2003 when Roy Horn was attacked by one of their white tigers during a live
show in Las Vegas.
Killer Bees: Fiction to Reality
In another instance, a 1993 episode featured a swarm of killer bees terrorizing Springfield.
This fictional event found real-world parallels in 2020 with the emergence of "murder hornets"
in North America.
Accessible Space Travel
In "Deep Space Homer," a 1994 episode, "The Simpsons" humorously depicted an average person
going to space, paralleling real-life developments in commercial space travel.
Companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic have made space more accessible, reflecting
the show's early vision of space travel becoming a possibility for civilians.
The Ebola Virus
"The Simpsons" also touched on the topic of the Ebola virus in a 1997 episode, "Lisa’s
Sax."
The episode showed a book titled "Curious George and the Ebola Virus," years before
the major Ebola outbreak in 2013-2016.
This reference brought attention to a disease that would later become a significant global
health concern, highlighting the show's uncanny ability to tap into future health crises.
Horse Meat Scandal
In a 1994 episode, "Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song," the show made a joke about
using horse meat in school lunches.
This joke turned into reality in 2013 when a real scandal emerged in Europe, with horse
DNA found in various beef products.
FIFA's Bribery Scandal
The show alluded to a bribery scandal within FIFA, the international soccer governing body,
in a 2014 episode.
This prediction materialized a year later in 2015 when a major corruption scandal hit
FIFA.
2024 Predictions
AI and Robotics
One of the most notable predictions for 2024 involves advancements in artificial intelligence
and robotics.
In an episode where Homer loses his job due to Mr. Burns replacing human workers with
robots, "The Simpsons" touches on a topic of growing relevance in the modern world.
The automation of jobs and the increasing presence of AI in various sectors is a reality
that parallels this prediction.
The episode raises questions about the future of employment and the ethical implications
of AI in the workplace.
Trump's 2024 Presidential Run
"The Simpsons" has always had a knack for weaving political satire into its narrative,
and one of its most talked-about predictions involves the political arena.
In a prescient moment from the episode 'BART To the Future', a sign reading 'Trump 2024'
is seen in the background, a detail that became eerily relevant when Donald Trump announced
his candidacy for the 2024 presidential elections.
Virtual Reality Food
The show also delves into the realm of virtual reality, depicting a scenario where Homer
and Marge use virtual reality headsets to experience eating food.
This prediction aligns with current advancements in virtual reality technology, where companies
are exploring ways to enhance sensory experiences, including taste and smell, in a digital environment.
The idea of virtual reality food, while still in its infancy, reflects ongoing efforts to
merge technology with everyday experiences.
Baby Translator
Another interesting prediction is the invention of a baby translator by Homer's brother Herb
Powell.
This device, designed to interpret a baby's needs based on their sounds, aligns with current
developments in AI-driven language processing tools.
Companies are already attempting to create similar technologies, aiming to provide insights
into infant behavior and needs.
Hover Cars
The concept of hover cars, as seen in an episode featuring Bart and Lisa in the future, reflects
the show's vision of transportation advancements.
While fully functional hover cars are not a reality yet, there are significant developments
in the field of flying cars and drones, suggesting that this prediction might not be far from
possible future scenarios.
Hologram Technology
Hologram technology is another area where "The Simpsons" has made predictions.
The show portrays a future where holograms are a common form of communication and entertainment.
With the current pace of technological advancement in augmented reality and holographic displays,
this prediction seems increasingly plausible.
AI Going Rogue
In an episode titled 'Itchy and Scratchy Land,' the show presents a scenario where robots
in a theme park go rogue.
This prediction touches on the broader theme of AI safety and the potential risks associated
with advanced autonomous systems.
As AI technology evolves, the show's portrayal of its potential hazards resonates with ongoing
discussions in the tech community.
Music-Induced Mind Control
A more fantastical prediction involves the use of music for mind control, as depicted
in an episode where Bart and friends form a boy band.
This concept, while far-fetched, mirrors historical instances where music and media have been
used for propaganda purposes, suggesting a commentary on the power of media in shaping
public opinion.
World War 3 Scares
"The Simpsons" also tackled the theme of global conflict, with a special episode on the Tracey
Ullman Show featuring Homer pranking his family with World War III scares.
While this is more of a satirical take on global politics, it reflects the show's engagement
with the theme of geopolitical tensions and the fears associated with them.
Zombie Apocalypse
A more humorous prediction is the occurrence of a zombie apocalypse, as seen in an episode
where a fast-food sandwich causes a transformation in news anchor Kent Brockman.
This prediction, while clearly in the realm of fiction, demonstrates "The Simpsons'" penchant
for combining current social trends with outrageous scenarios for comedic effect.
2023 Predictions That Came True
The Twitter Transformation
In a twist aligning with the show's penchant for foreseeing technological and corporate
changes, "The Simpsons" had hinted at a major rebranding in the world of social media.
This prediction mirrored the real-world events of 2023, specifically Elon Musk's significant
overhaul of Twitter.
Musk, after his acquisition of the platform in 2022, transformed it into an "everything
app."
This change closely echoed a scene from a 2012 episode, where Homer's phone featured
an app bearing a striking resemblance to Musk's new X logo.
A New Era for Barbie
The year 2023 also saw a resurgence of Barbie mania, much like a scenario portrayed in the
show nearly two decades earlier.
In a 1994 episode titled "Lisa vs Malibu Stacy," Lisa Simpson challenged the creators of a
popular doll to infuse it with a feminist ethos.
This episode almost prefigured the feminist wave that swept over the Barbie franchise
in 2023, marked by the release of a film that reimagined the iconic doll through a modern,
empowering lens, mirroring the show's storyline.
A Tragic Underwater Expedition
In a more somber parallel, "The Simpsons" seemed to foreshadow a real-life underwater
tragedy.
The implosion of the Oceangate submersible in 2023, which led to the loss of all passengers
aboard during an expedition to the Titanic's wreckage, was eerily similar to a plot in
a 2006 episode.
In "Homer's Paternity Coot," Homer and his father find themselves trapped underwater
in a submarine, a narrative that chillingly resonated with the real-world incident.
Donald Trump's Ordeal
The show's foray into political predictions was evident in an episode that indirectly
referenced the legal troubles of former President Donald Trump.
A casual line about the president's arrest, delivered by the character Kent Brockman in
the show, mirrored the real-life legal developments surrounding Trump in 2023.
As we've explored the intriguing world of "The Simpsons" and its knack for predicting
the future, we can't help but wonder: How many of these predictions for 2024 will actually
turn into reality?
Share your thoughts and any predictions of your own in the comments below!