In the 1989 movie “Back to the Future Part II,” Michael J. Fox’s character, Marty McFly, wears a pair of Nike brand, self-lacing shoes. Almost thirty years later, Nike announced their “HyperAdapt 1.0” shoes that lace themselves. Is this the latest in conspicuous consumption, a chance for people to show off athletic shoes with no useful purpose other than to advertise that the wearer could buy $700+ sneakers? Let’s ask Michael J. Fox.
