Near-Future Fictions

Due to society’s advancement, changing economic systems, and shifts in what the population demands, the world of work will change seismically in the near future. Some jobs will become obsolete, others will change radically, and new roles will emerge. The changes, though, will not be limited to work alone.

Bodies are often a product of the environment in which they are situated. Likewise, minds are partially shaped by both what they receive from the world around them, and the receptors that they use to process reality.

The consequences of automation are a key concern for a society that is exporting much of its decision making to algorithms, automation and artificial intelligence.

Reproduction is the only constant in human history - from our beginnings as single cell organisms to the sexual practices we see today. Our authors consider the future of courtship, contraceptives, conception, childbirth, and some of the things in between.

As technology gets smarter and smarter, the human brain is forced to reflect on itself in the mirror of the future and question what value it will have in a world in which wet tech, cerebral hacking and commodified consciousness could reign.

War has, so far, been inevitable throughout human history – but what will the future of conflict or cooperation look like? Will the discoveries of the future lead us to a world without violent disagreement, or just result in us killing one another in more creative ways?

The digital world is a personality playground that offers us an unprecedented ability to curate and create a public persona — but what does this ability mean for the future of personhood?

Near-Future Fictions presents stories that predict the future of infection and infestation in any of its various forms. What is the nature of the diseases, contagions or contaminations have in store?

Near-Future Fictions presents stories that explore, explode or exemplify Isaac Asimov’s fundamental laws of robotics.

Near-Future Fictions goes internal, looking at how the technologies of the future will impact the body - and how the body may respond.

How can we develop an alternative discourse to the evangelisation of technology by the tech-elite? Hear stories that comment on technology, science and the future in a ways that both inspires and capture the imagination.

Virtual Futures presents a panel discussion, and a series of short-story readings, on using near-future fiction to foster transformative conversations between scientists and other audiences.

Virtual Futures partners with The New School for a New York City based edition of Near-Future Fictions.