Apple’s Planned Obsolescence (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

The Simpsons has earned quite the reputation for seemingly predicting the future. It’s actually a bit of a meme at this point, with fans pointing out how many things in the real world appear to have been "predicted" by the show, sometimes years in advance. While some of these predictions are purely coincidental or the result of broad satire, others do seem oddly prescient.

Apple’s Planned Obsolescence (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

• What happened: In the episode, Homer buys a new phone that becomes obsolete almost immediately. The concept is a satirical commentary on how technology evolves and how consumers are encouraged to keep upgrading.
• Reality: Apple's release of newer models of iPhones every year (often with minimal changes to previous models) has sparked criticism for encouraging planned obsolescence.