Do The Simpsons Predict The Future? Truth Or Hoax?

A fascinating theory has been circulating for years: The Simpsons can predict the future. The historic animated series, created by Matt Groening in 1989, has repeatedly struck audiences with episodes that seem to anticipate real-world events. But is this really the case? Or is it just a self-perpetuating hoax?

The Secret of "Predictions"

The main reason The Simpsons seems to make such accurate predictions is pretty simple: the number of episodes. With over 700 episodes under its belt, the writers have covered just about every topic imaginable, from politics to technology to social trends. With such a vast archive, it's inevitable that some plots will resemble future events.

Selection Bias

Another key factor is the so-called selection bias : people only remember the correct "predictions" and forget the incorrect ones. When an episode seems to anticipate a real event, it is immediately shared on social media, amplifying the perception that the series truly has prophetic capabilities. However, no one talks about the hundreds of predictions that never came true.

Satire and Exaggeration

One of the show's great strengths is its ability to satirize American society. The writers often exaggerate existing situations, taking them to extremes to make the audience laugh. So when an episode features an unlikely president or a bizarre new technology, it's not really predicting the future, it's just pushing something that already existed in the culture of the time to the extreme.

Some Famous Cases

• Donald Trump President (2000): In one episode, Lisa becomes president and mentions that she "inherited" a country in crisis after Trump's presidency. In 2016, Trump was actually elected, but at the time of the episode he was already a well-known figure who had already expressed interest in politics.

• Disney Buying Fox (1998): A running gag was that Fox was "a division of the Walt Disney Company." Years later, Disney actually bought Fox, but it wasn't such a crazy idea back then.

• The Smartwatch (1995): In an episode set in the future, a character uses a watch with voice dialing. This is not so much a prediction as a natural evolution of technology already in development.

Conclusion: Coincidence or Genius?

More than being "prophets of the future", the writers of The Simpsons are excellent observers of society. Through satire, they are able to pick up trends and push them to the extreme, giving life to situations that, at times, actually come true. The true magic of the series lies in its ability to read the present, rather than predict the future.

And you, do you think it's just a series of coincidences or is there something more? Write it in the comments!