Are we turning society into Demolition Man?

2020 is a strange space to be in. I mean, Disney's "welcome home" commercial alone is a terrifying sign that we are headed towards the Cyberpunk future I never expected. The torrential rains, massive earthquakes and rising fascism, along with world-reaching big corporations are the same. But as we approach the Autumn of this year of lockdown and social distancing, I've started to notice how comfortable I am not shaking hands. The 6 feet rule is surprisingly nice. When I picture meeting up with my friends, I picture it as sitting on opposite ends of the sofa, with individual bowls of snacks. I have changed my view of what is normal and acceptable level of intimacy.

And that brings me to Demolition Man. It is a sci-fi future unlike the cool futures I imagined myself being in when I grew up. There is no black clad gritty anti heroes in trench coats. Instead, there is a nostalgia for nineties jingles and in this world obsessed with cleanliness, the only physical contact happens via VR headsets. I'm not saying it's the future I want, but it might be the one we're getting...

I mean, just look at that acceptable level of social distancing.