Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Futurism.
History of Halley's Comet
It was August in 1682 when the faint gleam first appeared in the night sky. From one night to the next, it grew slightly brighter and changed position among the background stars. The pioneers of astronomy peered at it through that new-fangled invention, the telescope, and watched it begin to sprout a tail. Among the majority of people, however, the instinctive reaction was fear. “A comet,” they whispered. “A comet has appeared! And plague, famine, and war will surely follow.”
By Futurism Staff10 years ago in Futurism
Arthur C. Clarke Interview
In 1945, a young English technical officer, who had spent World War II helping to develop radar systems for the Royal Air Force, published a remarkably prescient article in the British journal Wireless World. The article showed, in detail, how artificial satellites could be used to relay electronic communications around the world. The writer was Arthur C. Clarke.
By Futurism Staff10 years ago in Futurism
Stargate's Pauline Gedge
"Ixelion stepped under the archway of his Gate, the box clutched tightly in his hand, and the guards with their silver wands and stiff capes of scales greeted him with soft, deferential voices." So begins Pauline Gedge's unparalleled exploration of the creators of the universe in 1982's Stargate. At the dawn of time, the universe is overseen by the Worldmaker, who rules over each sun lord in the solar systems of his creation. Until, ruled by unexpected malice, he becomes the Unmaker.
By Natasha Sydor10 years ago in Futurism
Ultimate 'Battlestar Galactica' Guide
Glen Larson—musician, screenwriter, producer—had wanted to do something like Galactica, he told us, long before he saw Star Wars. That Lucas blockbuster, though, gave Larson’s idea “legs”—as they say in showbiz—made Galactica seem a profitable notion that could stand on its own and walk away with a bundle.
By Futurism Staff10 years ago in Futurism
Greatest Sci-Fi Protagonists
The literary multiverse has no shortage of would-be “heroes,” to use the term quite loosely. And when it comes to the wild and wooly genre of science fiction, it is practically a given that every story will feature some form of hero, antihero, or hero by default. Indeed, due to the flexibility of the genre, they literally come in all shapes, sizes, color, and species. Some are born of intergalactic royal blood; Others are constructed in cold laboratories out of wires, circuits, and steel. We’re going to attempt to pin down a list of the most compelling, original, and impactful protagonists the sci-fi world has ever known! Some you’ll see coming a light year away; others, hopefully, not so much… for where’s the fun in reading a list of names you already know? Enjoy!
By Matt Cates10 years ago in Futurism
Best Conspiracy Theory Books
In the age of whistleblowers, your world can come crumbling down in a second, but as the saying goes "the truth will set you free." Wouldn't you want to know the truth? And do you fully trust government? Now is the time to throw out what you’ve learned in school regarding what the world is and how it works. There are forces in the world that seem beyond comprehension, but there is always something worth understanding in everything that seems unexplainable. And from that grain of the unexplainable, a conspiracy theory is born. The Oxford English Dictionary defines conspiracy theory as "the theory that an event or phenomenon occurs as a result of a conspiracy between interested parties; spec. a belief that some covert but influential agency (typically political in motivation and oppressive in intent) is responsible for an unexplained event." We’ve compiled a list of the best conspiracy theory books that provide you with a stripped-down, objective, eye-opening view on a variety of conspiracy theories. It is up to you to decide, based on logic and evidence, what the truth really is.
By George Gott10 years ago in Futurism
Genetically Engineering a Super Race
When Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World in 1932, he described a world state several centuries in the future where all human beings were reared from eggs in factories or incubators. Scientists could produce several classes of personality ranging from the highly intelligent, whose sole purpose was to enjoy life, to the feeble-minded who were suited only for manual labor. The novel was set in the distant future because the scientific knowledge needed to bring about this type of society was not available when Huxley wrote it.
By Futurism Staff10 years ago in Futurism
Forecast 2085
Joanna checked the weather app on her watch. Tornadoes likely, flooding possible in the evening, and a chance of earthquakes at night. She grabbed a fluffy red scarf off the rungs in her closet and pulled the hat her dad bought her at the fair over her ears.
By Marlena Chertock10 years ago in Futurism
Art of 'OMNI' Magazine
On OMNI, Ben Bova said, "For me, OMNI was a dream come true: a big, slick, beautifully presented magazine dealing with the future." OMNI magazine is considered a jewel among the popular science magazines of its era. In the very first publication of its kind, The Mind's Eye: The Art of OMNI celebrates in stunning detail the exceptional science fiction imagery of the 1970s and 1980s. The Mind's Eye assembles 185 images from the era's most illustrious contributing artists, including John Berkey, Chris Moore, H.R. Giger, Rafal Olbinski, Ralle, Tsuneo Sanda, Hajime Sorayama, Robert McCall, and Colin Hay among many more, along with quotes from artist, contributors, writers, and critics. The Mind’s Eye celebrates the worlds of tomorrow, today.
By Natasha Sydor10 years ago in Futurism
Mysteries of the Maya
Imagine yourself the chief astronomer-priest of an ancient jungle empire. From your studies of records kept by astronomers for centuries before you, you are convinced that an eclipse of the Sun is likely to occur in three days' time. It is essential for you to inform the people of the empire of this event, so they will be prepared if the Sun begins to disappear.
By Futurism Staff10 years ago in Futurism
