Progress and the future

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Scene from a film with three characters walking from a futuristic spacecraft in a city setting.

idea

We need the toolkit of utopian thinking, now more than ever

Many dismiss utopian ideas. But imagining a better world is a vital political skill for tackling today’s challenges

by Caitlin Rajan

Photo of a person in protective gear disinfecting an empty cinema with an animated film playing on the screen.

Progress and the future

idea

The empathy gap that is imperilling future generations

To protect our descendants from catastrophe, we must overcome the emotional hurdles that make it easy for us to look away

by Matthew Coleman

Photo of a stone wall beside a sandy beach with calm sea under a cloudy sky sun peeking through a ship on the horizon.

Goals and motivation

guide

How to do mental time travel

Feeling overwhelmed by the present moment? Find a connection to the longer view and a wiser perspective on what matters

by Richard Fisher

Two arms in colourful jumpers hold chopsticks that hold a small TV. Trees and rooftop scenery are visible in the background.

Painting and sculpture

film

Working ‘like chopsticks’, two married artists create independently, in tandem

Directed by Bryan Chang and Vicky Du

Photo of a person with code reflecting on glasses, focused on a computer screen displaying programming text.

Consciousness

idea

The myth of machine consciousness makes Narcissus of us all

The idea that AI can be conscious is a mistake. It’s just a very shiny mirror of humanity, reflecting what we want to see

by David Bentley Hart

Photo of a river with gravel banks winding through a red autumn landscape, mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

Nature and the environment

idea

What does water want? Most humans seem to have forgotten

Asking what water wants sounds a bit mystical, even radical. But it’s a practical, proven path to creating a better world

by Erica Gies

Abstract orange background with two stick figures amidst geometric shapes and lines.

Progress and the future

film

Stick figures meet existential angst in this acclaimed, darkly comedic short

Directed by Don Hertzfeldt

Scene from a film with three men indoors, one holding a computer mouse. A badge reads “I quit smoking.”

Technology and media

idea

What the journey from Star Trek to Siri says about our culture

The talking computer in Star Trek takes the culture and technology of the present and dreams up future possibilities

by Liz W Faber

Cover art of a science fiction magazine showing a man in a spacesuit contemplating a pill with food images behind him.

Food and drink

idea

What our fantasies about futuristic food say about us

Once ‘future foods’ were powdered and automatic, but times change and today they have become about speed and social justice

by Kelly Alexander

A person walks past a construction site with “WE LIVE HERE” written on a white panel and an image of two women smiling.

Progress and the future

film

The fate of a London landmark inspires a feverish rumination on progress

Directed by Alice May Williams