Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Futurism.
Planned Abandon
She was on the island when it began. The lights flickered above the small table. They were just six miles from the mainland, but it might as well have been a thousand. The ocean had turned against them, so very suddenly it seemed, though there were a great many who had been predicting such an event. They’d spoken as often and loudly as they could over the years - about the acidification of the oceans, rising water temperatures, and the melting of the glaciers and icebergs. She hadn’t understood it all, or maybe hadn’t paid enough attention, but she should have, she knew now.
The Last Rain
“I can't remember the last time it rained. Was I thirteen? Fifteen? It was a long time ago anyway. No one knows exactly when it was because it just kind of happened. We were in a bad drought when some people realised it hadn't actually rained in years. Most of those people are probably dead now, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway.”
HIGHRISE SKYLINE
The traveler's battered motor struggles to carry his rusted boat over the outskirts of what used to be Fort Lauderdale, a concrete swamp abandoned by the corporate conglomerate that governed it after pushing the federal government out of the southeastern states, the US losing around half their now perpetually contested land in identical fashion. The rest of south and central Florida generally suffered a similar fate as the Atlantic Ocean continued to devour the state, driving away corporate interest. Still, first counts for something, capable of withstanding the cloud of toxic spores engulfing the dilapidated ruins, mutated alligators densely populate nearly every block. The traveler locks his gaze on 4 solar-powered air boats buzzing north into the decrepit city, each carrying a duo of Riptide reclamation officers, every one of them equipped appropriately, breathable Nanokevlar armor leading up to a lightweight, corporate-grade alloy filtration helmet, the dome outfitted with a heads up display detailing vitals and environmental info, everything marked with their signature tsunami logo. The traveler’s helmet, however was nearly opaque from condensation. He’ll be lucky to make it through without heat stroke. Functional A/C is typically standard in even the cheapest filtration units, popular after 2064 saw the climate’s true point of no return. Unfortunately, the edentate merchant in Orlando failed to supply or mention this basic component before charging full price and vanishing promptly.
Chris ConwayPublished 3 years ago in FuturismThe Dream Cradle
Mitta’s Dream Cradle inspired more engagement and artistic-cultural consequences than expected. After receiving the Sky Heron Grant for Integrative Arts (mostly a package of studio time, craft supplies, and food credit at the neighborhood cupboard), they were planning for a familiar trajectory. Generate a decent enough artist statement about liminality, dream healing and proto-language to entice a few people to risk the trip to the gallery. The installation would be mildly exciting, beautiful even, but also confusing and ultimately forgotten by the time people returned to the regular survival rhythm of their lives.
Larissa KaulPublished 3 years ago in FuturismSARA
Years had passed since the latest of human technology and innovation landed on this far and distant rock. SARA, the Sentient and Autonomous Roving Automaton, was on an exploratory mission. As Earth’s first fully artificially intelligent being, it was her honor to be given the task of unraveling the mysteries of Mars.
J. J. TruittPublished 3 years ago in FuturismMy Love Lost
As I Iooked out towards the horizon on that cool Autumn evening, I reached up and gently ran my fingers over the surface of my heart shaped locket. Even though the locket was not
Elizabeth NPublished 3 years ago in FuturismThe Retrievers
I feel the rush surging over me as I run. A sort of static energy from the crown of my head down to my legs. I was getting away…
Kate SimmondsPublished 3 years ago in FuturismEarth Aggregate
An Earth Aggregate™ rocket, emblazoned with the multicolor company logo, approached from the troposphere. It clashed with the surrounding decay like a rogue billboard clattering through a dust storm; a sort of hellfire spat out from the jet boosters as it neared a debris ridden landing pad. This space port was technically abandoned, but corporations often used derelict facilities for their own purposes. An eleven foot high electric fence surrounded the perimeter, and beyond that was a city submerged in entropic fallout. Buildings slumped over, their walls eaten by decades of harsh winds, holey like Swiss cheese from erosion.
Austin BrownPublished 3 years ago in Futurism5 Star Wars movies Disney need to make!
Like many other people Star Wars has captured a large part of my life, from watching the prequels as a child my love and interest for Star Wars has never faded over 15 years later. This interest has only become stronger since the Disney purchase and the sequel trilogy.
Greg FalconerPublished 3 years ago in FuturismOne of Those Days
Past is halfway home before he notices the foreboding clouds hanging low in the sky. It is difficult to see them from far away. At first, he thinks it is just a small, localized storm, but it seems odd that these clouds are drastically enclosed and dark as night. There is a stark contrast with the rest of the city, which is bright, sunny, and warm. As he continues in the storm’s direction, he realizes it is over his neighborhood.
Jeffrey MylesPublished 3 years ago in FuturismCompany Man
On Monday, 0545, Michael Porter received simultaneous alarms from the screen/console in his room and his commcard lying on his bedside table. He tapped the commcard screen then flung the blanket off and padded over to the console. The screen flashed PRIORITY: OCCUPATIONAL again and again. His index finger alternated between staccato taps and graceful swoops on the computer screen. A female head, with copper skin and black hair, delivered the message in an androgyne voice:
Andrew DabbsPublished 3 years ago in FuturismTheory: The Shocking Reason Why People Think Boba Fett Killed Owen And Beru
The turning point for Luke’s life came when he rushed back to his home to find that it had been burnt to the ground. In a shocking scene, we saw the charred skeletons of who could only be his Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen Lars, the only parents he ever knew. There was nothing holding him back on this desert planet of Tatooine. He was free to leave. He did not have to wait one more reason to leave the planet. He could go right at this moment. After all, there was a princess waiting to be rescued somewhere off planet.
Culture SlatePublished 3 years ago in Futurism