Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Futurism.
Review of 'Westworld' 2.4
We already knew that the AI technology used to construct hosts could construct a host-like version — an android — of a human being who once was alive. That, after all, is what Bernard is. But in Westworld 2.4, we get a poignant and telling exposition of how this figures (or figured) in the life of William, whose older self, apparently obtained through just natural aging (though, who knows), is The Man in Black.
Paul LevinsonPublished 6 years ago in FuturismWaxing Lyrical about Japan and the Future
So I've been a YouTuber since late January. I have long been intrigued by vloggers and creating content for the internet, sharing ideas and interests with an adoring audience, but crippling anxiety kept me for many years from even sticking my toe into the pool. Luckily, circumstances came together and I was able to begin my online adventure. Since its birth, my channel has been a bit of a mixed bag. I was doing reactions, gameplay, challenges as well as vlogs talking about a range of different things (music production, my own life and so on). It's been a fun ride so far, but the whole thing has felt...unfocused.
For the Love of Star Wars
Why is Star Wars regarded by millions as the greatest movie franchise of all time? Well, what’s not to love about heroes and heroines fighting against evil and darkness with lightsaber duels, laser blasters, and cross-galaxy hyperspace chases thrown into the mix?
Eric AllenPublished 6 years ago in Futurism'Nature-Culture': Embracing Genetic Modification
From unprecedented globalisation to industrial refuse, the contemporary world has changed the face of the earth, prompting geologists to define it as the Anthropocene, “the age of humans” (Purdy, 2015: 1). Jedediah Purdy elucidates that as “a driver of global change, humanity has outstripped geology,” eliciting tensions and anxieties toward future conditions of the earth (Purdy, 2015: 1). Science fiction illustrates these feelings in futuristic stories, usually situated in a post-apocalyptic world where a revelation often portends that worse conditions await regarding environmental sustainability and human lives. Molly Wallace argues that such fictions intend to “suggest that the means to the apocalyptic futures are already in the works and […] to prevent the outcome imagined” (Wallace, 2016: 98). Science fiction accentuates present conditions in an imaginary future, resonating with Fredric Jameson’s claim that science fiction does not aim to “give us ‘images’ of the future […] but rather to defamiliarize and restructure our experience of our own present” (Jameson, 1982: 151). By positioning the present in unfamiliar contexts, one is able to dissociate from the present and thus gain a broader perspective, encouraging the chance to take preventative actions against the depletion and devastation of the earth. Perceived as both preventative and aggravating, genetic modification often features in science fiction novels, either as a necessary action to enable human survival or as a man-made evil that inevitably becomes humanity’s downfall.
Harriet WestonPublished 6 years ago in FuturismReview of 'Timeless' Season 2 Finale
Well, Timeless saved the best of its second season for last—that is, the last minute of the 2nd of a double episode. There will be spoilers ahead, so don't read on if you'd rather not know...
Paul LevinsonPublished 6 years ago in FuturismWhat Is Voodoo?
Voodoo is also known as Voudon. Voodoo is not only practiced in the Caribbean, as a religion with roots in a racial context mostly having to do with those of African heritage, although many others have picked up on the practices besides.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 6 years ago in FuturismThe Stigma Around the 'Star Wars' Prequels
Star Wars fans are a tricky people. Even if you’re not a fan yourself, a person could be pretty familiar with the caricatured portrayal of Star Wars / Trek fans in the media. Which is not to say some portrayals aren’t accurate, the general population has come to the point where being dorky is almost just cool. Star Wars is a huge franchise based on an amazing science fiction story. But there is one part of this story that a lot of fans would like to forget and have seen a lot of critical scrutiny over the years, the Prequels. These films would be; The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002) & Revenge of the Sith (2005). But a funny thing has happened as years passed; the younger generations seems to have adopted a love for these films that was lost on the generation before.
Jaime BurbattPublished 6 years ago in FuturismAlex the Inventor - Chapter 11 (Pt. 2)
Chapters 1 - 11 can be read at: Deep Sky Stories & Illustrations Chapter 11 (Part 2) - In Deep Trouble Sunday passed slowly for Dart the Dragonfly, lying as still as death at the bottom of the slowly sinking cargo trailer. Where was everybody, he wondered with a quizzical twist of his soccer-ball head. Night fell and still no one came. Could they have forgotten about him? With power loss now approaching a grave threshold, the Guardian reasoned that his situation was now grim. Therefore, Dart followed logical survival protocols and stepped down the rest of his dwindling resources to the bare minimum. The flashing circuits within his delicate brain unit dimmed down to a faint gaslight flicker so that only the core of his cerebral remained active. The weak emergency beacon continued pinging, but only barely so. The Dragonfly clung to existence by a thin thread and lay as stiff and still as the smaller cadavers all around him. Just before sinking into the coma-like power-saver mode though, Dart sensed something ominous happening around him. Was that only the soft breeze sighing through the mouth of the cold metal cave he was trapped in... or did it sound more like a faint, dry chuckle of satisfaction? Was there a rustling of dry autumn leaves near the cave mouth, or did something else begin to move musty, clicking little legs? Slowly. Delicately. The trap had been sprung well. The already narrow tunnel back to his world constricted further down toward nothingness and cold shadows closed closer round the snared Dragonfly, seeking to smoother him forever.
G.F. BrynnPublished 6 years ago in FuturismWhat Is Hoodoo?
Hoodoo is one of the many witchcraft practices available to study. Hoodoo and Voodoo are often linked but hoodoo is also called rootwork. Hoodoo comes from the South, a region in the United States that fosters this path also called Conjure. Hoodoo is not necessarily Vodou, but it does mix the religion of the Congo slaves that were kidnapped from Africa to use in the slave trade. Also found under the heading of hoodoo is Native American herbal folklore, some European folk magic, and a dose of Jewish mysticism. Witchcraft of the type of Hoodoo is not necessarily a religion but a magical system that requires study. Some rootworkers are Protestant Southern Baptists who read the bible as well as pray Christian prayers such as reciting psalms.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 6 years ago in FuturismThe Shape of Things to Come
He didn’t like the idea of the foil hat. He didn’t want to become the mad stereotype the cheap tabloids make a joyous mockery out of whenever there are spare pages to be filled. But he needed protection. He didn’t want to be the crazy, dishevelled man who hadn’t showered or shaved in weeks that sits on his front porch, shotgun barrels resting on his legs, spoiling for a fight he’s confident is about to explode into life. And yet that is who he has become.
Phil WellerPublished 6 years ago in FuturismThe Misplaced: Finale
CHAPTER 23: EVAN It was another three days before they reached the lands under the rule of Lord Defoe, the last of the Dark Lords. As they approached his castle, they were met by a small army of his acolytes.
Richard JonesPublished 6 years ago in FuturismDestiny or Purpose
Destiny or purpose? Does it matter if we are good or bad? A preordained destiny is like being on a train journey; you cannot change the destination once you have boarded the train. It does not matter how you behave, you will reach that preset destination.
Peter RosePublished 6 years ago in Futurism