Parks and Rec was fantastic at many things. It taught us how to treat ourselves, that you can achieve your dreams if you work hard enough including setbacks, and that waffles and friends are the most important things in life. But little did we know that Parks and Rec was giving us a glimpse into our impending world. Here are three times that Parks and Rec predicted the future.
1. Soda Tax - Aired in 2012
Yes, the infamous soda tax that brought on the downfall of City Councilwoman Knope. All Leslie wanted to do was help people live healthier lives and it ended up costing her her job.
The idea of putting an extra tax on soda seems simple and a win-win: the government brings in more money to fund projects without raising income tax, and people who oppose it will stop buying soda, which is an incredibly unhealthy beverage and make healthier choices. This is a complete option tax that you can either choose to partake in or not depending on your choice as a consumer. Yet the infamous town folk of Pawnee, who perfectly represent the American public, lost their minds and refused to have their 'rights' taken away from them.
Crazy right? Yes. BUT it is happening now and people are losing their minds. Berkeley, CA became the first city to impose this in 2014 and it had a very healthy affect on the city. Since then, other cities have voted this into action. Philadelphia being one of the latest. The soda tax was accepted into Philadelphia with as much grace as it was in Pawnee.
2. Knope v. Newport for City Council: Crazy Candidates & Recounts - Aired in 2011
Cleary the 2016 Presidential election was not the first time there has been craziness, stomach churning, eye rolling, and head smacking moments during a campaign, but this year's seemed extra cringe-worthy. Watching Donald Trump try to debate Hillary Clinton was the equivalent of watching this:
A smart, educated, and highly qualified Leslie Knope found herself in a neck in neck race with Bobby Newport who is a goofy millionaire loved by the everyman. Bobby beat out Leslie throughout the election by playing on people's fears and without presenting how he was going to fix any of the town's problems. Sound familiar? In the end, Bobby ended up winning by only a few votes, which forced Pawnee to do a recount. Sound familiar again? However, Leslie did end up winning as a result of the recount. I guess fiction can right some wrongs.
3. Gryzzl Tablets Always Listening - Aired in 2015
There were some 'minor flaws' that the Gryzzl tablets, which were still being prototyped, had when they appeared in the final season of Parks and Rec. One of those flaws was that the device was always listening to you. Always.
But today's companies have higher ethical and tech standards than that, right?
You tell us, Alexa...
