In 1969, there was a hit song by Zager and Evans (who?) called “In the Year 2525.” As they counted up the years starting at 2525, the lyrics painted a rather bleak picture of a dystopian destiny for mankind.

“Everything you think, do and say is in the pill you took today.” They predicted we won’t “need your teeth, won’t need your eyes…. Your arms hanging limp at your sides, your legs got nothin’ to do. Some machine’s doin’ that for you.”

Back in 1969, when I was 14 years old, the year 2025 felt just as much in the future as that science fiction fantasy. I remember thinking 1984 was going to be something to pay attention to, thanks to the George Orwell novel that also predicted a dystopian future.

But here we are, a quarter of a century into the new millennium, and some things do feel quite futuristic.

I have taken a few Waymo rides and definitely feel like I’m in the future when I’m in a car that drives itself. During my ride, though, it didn’t take long before I was scrolling social media apps on my hand-held computer that is connected to the virtually limitless internet with all its information and entertainment.

I feel like I’m in the future when I watch television and stream whatever shows I want to see, when I want to see them. I grew up with four channels: ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS. Shows came on at specific times, and if you missed them, you were mostly out of luck, unless the network aired “re-runs.” The screens were in black and white; color came later. TV Guide had a “c” in parentheses for the few shows that were broadcast in color.

I remember when remote controls were new. Early ones made a clicking noise, and I know people who still call their remote the “clicker.”

My father referred to the refrigerator as the “ice box,” a holdover from when the ice man brought blocks of ice to his home to keep food fresh.

My home phone FR-8-0546 didn’t have an area code when I was young. The letters referred to a local call station – ours was in Freeport. “Long distance” calls were a big deal, and expensive. Now we chat on our cell phone with people practically anywhere.

The post office had a major advertising campaign featuring Mr. Zip (aka, Zippy) who introduced the five-number zip codes to be used for the addresses we wrote on envelopes. Back then, we needed to lick stamps to make them stick.

When I was born, there were only 48 states! Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th states as I was learning how to tie my shoes.

So, here we are in the future. There are no ubiquitous flying cars, yet, and it’s not quite the dystopia many had predicted. Enjoy what you have when you have it. Nothing lasts forever.

Thank You, Woody!

On the page 12 is a story about Golden Gate Park by Woody LaBounty. We owe a debt of gratitude to Woody and other history friends who keep track of our past and remind us what came before now.

I spent many years playing softball with friends at Speedway Meadow, so it is fun for me to see where the name came from.

Woody has been very generous allowing us to share his work and we are very grateful to him. The same goes for our friends at the Western Neighborhoods Project (Woody was one of the founders). They allow us to use their cool history photos for our “Then and Now” feature each month. It is one of our more popular offerings. I have been told by quite a few readers that they cut out and save that part of the paper. Thank you, historians, for reminding us of the past.

“Dwell on the past and you’ll lose an eye. Forget the past and you’ll lose both eyes.” – Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

Geary Boulevard Infrastructure

Soon construction will begin on the infrastructure under the Richmond’s busiest street.

Visit our website to read all about it in a sponsored post titled “SFPUC to Upgrade Richmond District’s Essential Infrastructure.” We are sure to have stories about the project in future issues.

Seal Rock Inn Restaurant

A lot of hearts were broken when the Outer Richmond saw the Seal Rock Inn Restaurant close several years ago. Keep an eye out for Alfred Schilling’s Bistro at Seal Rock Inn – an authentic bistro Parisienne coming any day now.

Meet the Editor Sessions

One of my favorite parts of this job is community outreach. Whether it is staffing a table at the night markets, Autumn Moon festivals and other events, or holding Meet the Editor sessions, I enjoy talking with our readers face to face. Thank you to those who came over to speak with us.

If you know a small business or organization that would be interested in hosting our sessions in 2025, please send me an email (address below).

By the way, another cool event is coming to the Richmond, thanks to the Richmond Neighborhood Center and other sponsors. Please see the ad on page 4 and save Jan. 18 on your calendar for the Richmond District Lunar New Year Good Luck Parade.

Happy New Year and Gung Hay Fat Choy friends!

Michael Durand is the editor and publisher of the Richmond Review and Sunset Beacon newspapers and the RichmondSunsetNews.com website. He can be reached at Editor@RichmondSunsetNews.com.