Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Futurism.
'Star Trek' Games: The Playable Fun of Gene Roddenberry's Sci-Fi Universe
"My people pride themselves on being the greatest, most successful gamblers in the universe. We compete for everything: power, fame, women, everything we desire, and it is our nature... to win."
By Will Stape9 years ago in Futurism
Why Asteroid Mining Will Never Happen
It’s amazing how people, even smart people, can be trapped by the past. Take the acquisition of metal, for example. For all of its existence, two hundred thousand years, the human race has known only one general way to get metal.
By Jeffrey A. Corkern9 years ago in Futurism
Reviewing Charlie Brooker’s ‘Black Mirror’, Season 3
When Black Mirror first hit television screens in 2011, it was a quintessentially British creation. Episode 1, The National Anthem, shows an upstanding prime minister blackmailed into live sexual intercourse with a pig. The public responds with cynicism and ironic detachment, mocking the man on twitter, as the media scrambles for a scoop. The episodes that followed continued the condemnation of British culture – Brooker had given us a black mirror, reflecting us at our very worst. In Fifteen Million Merits he showed us powering the workings of an authoritarian regime, bombarded by advertising with an X-factor style talent show our only means of salvation. In White Bear, the justice system has been replaced by a sickening spectacle of psychological torture, with amnesiac criminals forced to relive their crimes, as children watch on. In The Waldo Moment, he shows a disaffected public voting a foul-mouthed CGI bear into office, rather than careerist politicians. The result is a degeneration into violence and fascism.
By Ed Venables9 years ago in Futurism
The Greatest Animated Films About Space Travel
With the many beautiful films about space that have awed us recently - Gravity, Interstellar, and The Martian all come to mind - it’s easy to forget the great animated films about space travel. They not only amuse us but also bring that incredible world to life for our kids. Each of these movies depict the dangers and delights of traveling among the stars with lovable characters, fascinating plots, and gorgeous backgrounds. Take a break from the more serious adult live-action space films and enjoy some of the best animated films about space that have ever been created.
By Sarah Quinn9 years ago in Futurism
'The Creature From The Black Lagoon' - A Sci-Fi Epic Environmental Horror Movie
“The restless seas rise, find boundaries, are contained. Now in their warm depths, the miracle of life begins. In infinite variety, living things appear, change and reach the land, Leaving a record of their coming, of their struggle to survive and of their eventual end. The record of life is written on the land, where fifteen million years later in the upper reaches of the Amazon, man is still trying to read it.”
By Will Stape9 years ago in Futurism
Trapped on a Desert Island with the Crew of Firefly
Scenario: the Serenity crashes on a desert island with only two survivors: one of the crew members, and YOU. Who do you hope makes it off the ship alive? Who’s going to be the best company when you’re bored? Who’s going to be the best at hunting and gathering food, keeping you safe from predators, and building the sturdiest shelter? Who’s going to be the least likely to betray you or steal your coconuts when you’re napping? Granted, your decision may depend in part on your relationship status. If you’re single and looking for someone to snuggle up to when your bed of palm fronds gets chilly, Inara or Mal might be higher on your list than, say, Shepherd Book. If you’re solely concerned with survival at any cost (and paranoid about intruders on the island), you may toss morals and companionship out the window and go with Jayne. Check out my list of the Firefly characters, from least ideal to most, with whom you could get stuck on a desert island (then go take this quiz and figure out which Firefly character you’d be).
By Sarah Quinn9 years ago in Futurism
The House Had Eyes
Every morning I wake up and crave three things: Sex, coffee, and my phone. Usually, the closest thing on hand is the phone—but before I reach for it, a thought always flits through my being—this doesn’t have the answers. I reach for it anyway. And all too often, I’m disappointed.
By Joshua Sky9 years ago in Futurism
Sci-Fi Webcomics to Devour All At Once
Not so long ago, there weren't enough great sci-fi webcomics to shake a ray-gun at. Now, you've got serious options for pretty much every sub-genre you can imagine, from hard sci-fi to space opera to satirical speculative space fantasy. Here's my list of the best sci-fi webcomics to make you laugh, make you think, and feel like a kid again with the best Sunday paper in the galaxy.
By Sarah Quinn9 years ago in Futurism
Everything You Need to Know About the Apollo Missions
This list includes everything you need to know about the Apollo missions to help you understand the space race. The Apollo missions took place between 1961 and 1975. These missions were part of a NASA program to put a man on the moon. This was to fulfill a promise made by John F. Kennedy in 1961 to place an American on the moon before the end of the decade. The program ultimately resulted in just that, but it was not without its share of setbacks. This list covers all the manned Apollo missions. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Apollo missions.
By James Lizowski9 years ago in Futurism
‘The Invisible Man’ - Science Fiction’s Great Horror & Humanity’s High Tech Desire
“An invisible man can rule the world. Nobody will see him come, nobody will see him go. He can hear every secret. He can rob, and rape, and kill! Power, I said! Power to walk into the gold vaults of the nations, into the secrets of powerful kings, into the Holy of Holies; power to make multitudes run squealing in terror at the touch of my little invisible finger. Even the moon's frightened of me, frightened to death! The whole world's frightened to death! “ -
By Will Stape9 years ago in Futurism
Best Vacation Spots in the Solar System
The best vacation spots in the solar system are places within our little corner of the galaxy that are both amazing and hold historical significance. Like any good vacation spot there has to be a reason to pack up the bags and head there in the first place. Whether it’s a distant moon of Uranus or to visit some of the first spacecraft humans sent abroad, there is a large amount of exciting things to see when choosing the best vacation spots in the solar system.
By Peter Carriveau9 years ago in Futurism
Space (Part II - Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle)
In my last article, I discussed William Gibson's cyberpunk classic Neuromancer as a key text in the convergence between science fiction and postmodernism. This time, I want to stay right on the cusp and consider the case of Kurt Vonnegut, who happens to be the writer who made me want to be one myself someday.
By M. Thomas Gammarino9 years ago in Futurism
