"The future, according to some scientists, will be exactly like the past, only far more expensive"

In this quote, John Sladek is recommending that the future will not be much different from the past, however it will come at a greater cost. This could be translated in a couple of different ways. One interpretation is that in spite of improvements in innovation and society, the standard patterns and cycles of human behavior will stay the exact same. Another interpretation is that as we continue to progress and establish, the expense of living and preserving our way of lives will also increase. This quote could also be seen as a warning about the prospective effects of our actions in today, as they might lead to a more expensive future. Overall, Sladek's quote highlights the idea that while modification is inevitable, it might not constantly be for the much better and might come at a high cost.