And yet we have the iPad (2001 space oddity), Mobile phone (star trek communicator), video calls (Metropolis, 2001 , blade runner etc), Ear buds (Fahrenheit 451), robotic prosthesis (terminator)
Helpful robots, language translators , smart watches etc etc
Vast swaths of our current world are ideas we've had that takes a lot of effort to bring into reality. Why do you think these people become billionaires.
The difficulty is in the execution
I agree execution is an issue.
They might start off making something cool but during that process if their isn't a strong "Ulysses Pact" built into the org (e.g. a #GPL license) and a lot of money is required, then investors inevitably take control and it becomes all about making "the line go up" for them, while providing just enough residual value and pushing regulations favoring investors not users.
Given that a lot of scifi is quite dystopian, they get that part right.
Also I feel a lot of the sci fi vibes is just #techwashing. Making it feel like these companies are on the verge of some breakthrough and/or working to better mankind, so we don't all come at them with the monopoly smashing hammer, like back in the day.
RJD
Vijay Prema