Eighty-eight years ago, in 1932, Aldous Huxley wrote his infamous dystopian novel, Brave New World. Huxley tells the story of a futuristic World State in which all citizens are constantly happy, as well as content with the social order. They have been conditioned from birth by an overarching powerful state
Tag: future
The Risks of Space Trash
Have you ever wondered what the earth will look like from space in 100 years? Perhaps you imagine a Pale Blue Dot, or an Earthrise. I would bet that for most of us, the Earth looks pretty much as it is today. The solitary home of all humankind, half suspended
Food for Thought
“The nation that destroys its soil, destroys itself.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt The Salt of the Earth Human activity has become a geological event. At present, some 12% of the world’s land surface is used in crop production, which is over one-third of the land estimated to be suitable for agriculture.
Going around in circles: Headed towards yet another financial crisis
Ten years ago, Lehman brothers collapsed. The shock waves of the financial crisis of 2008 could be felt throughout North America and Europe. One consequence was that trade finance trickled away and between 2008 and 2009 global trade and the stock market value decreased with a velocity not even observed
2048
“Dear customers, the shopping center will close in 5 minutes.” I smile at my last customer as I disconnect her device. “There you go, enjoy your listening!”. She thanks me and as she turns around, the smile on my face fades away. I watch her leave. She joins the group
On the Edge
Between clouds in time lapse A glimpse of a distant memory Of the future Of soldiers – wanting souvenirs As if they were on holiday Experiments on climate change On the small scale And patient despair I stomp on the edge of reason Scream into the abyss of sanity
Back to OUR future: “Your future is whatever you make it”
Listen to the past? No, the future! Since children and young people are humanity’s future, they should in theory be thought of as the most important humans. But do you feel like that? They are the most vulnerable persons and often suffer the most in conflicts and catastrophes. Everyone knows
Atlantis Submerging – Building a Future in the Pacific
“In those histories, half tradition, With their mythic thread of gold, We shall find the name and story Of thy cities fair and old. [—] Every heart has such a country, Some Atlantis loved and lost; Where upon the gleaming sand-bars Once life’s fitful ocean tossed. [—] Now above this