The worst part about the future is that it usually fails to deliver on its promises.

Flying cars? No.

Five-hour work week? Not for me. (Or you, probably.)

*Alien invasion? Still watching the sky… although John Edwards comes pretty close to what I’d expect to see.

Once in a while though, the future really pays off. Big and awesome-sauce:

Yep, strength-enhancing, robotic exoskeletons are here. Here’s the story (click it or ticket.)

And HERE’S a link to some streaming video of the suit in action.

While not quite to the coolness-level of this…

… or this…

… it IS nice to know that we’re on our way to the future of 1986 that both Daniel and Ripley know and love.

Can you imagine? Taking out the garbage would be FUN again. (Lift the dumpster over your head, walk to the city dump, shooting lasers at hapless passers-by, and BANG, no more sanitation collection fees. And more lasers, or possibly a cheeseburger, on your way home.)

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In sadder news (no sick humor intended, honest,) a report on EMO culture came out in today’s UK paper Daily Mail. It tells the story of a 13-year old named Hannah who took her own life a few months after wrapping herself in Emo. Here’s the link (click).

It’s a sad story, and an eye-opening look for those of us who have little to no inroads into this massive (and arguably unhealthy) cultural phenomenon. I’m not going to go so far as to say that “emo made Hannah kill herself,” (I’ll leave that to the blog pundits), but I have personally known several high-school kids (especially girls) who are into the hairstyles, music, fashion, and self-mutiliation associated with emo.

It’s gotten to the point where I really want to slap the next person who makes a joke about slitting one’s wrists.

PARENTS: Talk to your kids. Now. About lots of things. Often.

* Obviously, I’m not talking about ILLEGAL ALIENS invading. We have plenty of those. Oh look, there goes one now…