fact or fiction
Is it science fact or science fiction? Futurism presents both sides to determine the truth.
Ouija Board
I've always been obsessed with the paranormal, with pushing the boundaries of reality, science, and seemingly fiction. So, I thought little of it when I borrowed a neighbour's Ouija board one night and played with the piece of wood by myself. Little did I know what kind of world of trouble I'd get myself into.
By Aibhlinn Rose8 years ago in Futurism
Magic: Ceasing to Be Fiction?
Throughout the years, it has been apparent that series based around magic have accumulated large fan bases (Also known as fandoms). One of the more infamous of these series is known as Harry Potter, which takes place in a world where wizards and mythical creatures such as dragons exist amongst regular human beings (Or muggles). For any of my older readers out there who have had children anywhere between 1990 and around 2010, you have probably encountered this series as your children have read the books, watched the movies, and/or asked you about buying them merchandise. 'Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry'— Or, rather, simply 'Hogwarts'— Is a school that surprisingly many kids have wanted to go to, despite it being completely fictional. You have also probably heard of people flaunting around wands and shouting out what sounds like complete nonsense; ranging from young children all the way to grown adults. It's impossible to stay away from these series, and for a good reason: They entice us. Think about it: How cool would it be for a human, who was destined to be naturally flightless, to be able to glide through the skies on a broom? Wouldn't it be awesome if you could wave a wave, say "Metamorphie Faciesse*!", and instantly transform into a rabbit? It's part of being a human to be curious, and an even bigger part to be imaginative; so, it's only natural to want magic to be real.
By Dream Corg8 years ago in Futurism
Skinwalker Ranch
It’s midnight in Utah, and a full moon engulfs the ghoulish landscape with a pale blue light. It’s a typical Saturday, except that I’m camping on tribal Indian land. My guide (and protector) for the evening is security from the Ute Indian Tribe. I could swear he’s just as anxious as me. We’re exploring an area historically known for it’s high-strangeness, it’s UFOs, Skinwalkers, and paranormal activity. I can’t help but wonder why I’ve agreed to be bait for this excursion. Yep, human bait. Where we’re camping is said to be directly along the path of the Skinwalker. No, that’s not a good thing. Luckily we have a tribal shaman on hand, just incase things get out of control.
By Jeremy Kenyon Lockyer Corbell8 years ago in Futurism
What if D-Day Had Failed?
When Group Captain James Stagg of the Royal Air Force (RAF) met Eisenhower on the evening of 4 June, he and his meteorological team were unable to give him a firm enough assurance that the weather would improve enough for the invasion to proceed on 6 June.
By Kevin McClintock8 years ago in Futurism
Top Alternate Universe Theories
For the longest time, alternate universes were just used as an excuse to have a new character, a weird plot line, or just a cool story in media. If you're like me, you've probably wondered what life would be like in an alternate universe, or if there's an alternate version of you somewhere in a parallel universe.
By Sarah McDaniel8 years ago in Futurism
Unnatural Philosophy?
Thank goodness today's natural philosophers have their fancy tools at hand when it comes to proving their theories and letting us know just what's what. Imagine the embarrassment of say, Aristotle, were he to be resurrected and held accountable for some of his ideas about the nature of things; notably his belief that the world was composed of four elements — Earth, Air, Fire and Water, as you all well know.
By Kevin McClintock8 years ago in Futurism
What is Consciousness?. Top Story - August 2017.
Perhaps one of the strangest mysteries of the universe is the question of how we became cognizant creatures. Being conscious is one of the bare-bone requirements of being alive, and yet, we still don't understand how it all came to be.
By Sarah McDaniel8 years ago in Futurism
What Would Aliens Really Look Like?
Society has become totally obsessed with the search for alien life. The media is filled to the brim with stories about alien abductions, sightings of strange crafts, as well as stories about alien invasions. Aliens fascinate us, and to a point, it's totally understandable.
By Rowan Marley8 years ago in Futurism
We Might Actually Live in a Simulation
Elon Musk is constantly both shocking and fascinating the world with visionary concepts and contraptions. In the last decade, he’s re-invented the electric car and developed groundbreaking battery technology, which if properly invested, is poised to have a grand impact on the world’s shift away from fossil fuels.
By Nathaniel Everfriend8 years ago in Futurism
Intelligence: Reshaping The Human Brain
The brain is the very center of our humanity, personality, and sense of being, yet we know almost nothing about its massive complexity. With the help of advanced technology, scientists have been able to map and analyze the brain down the individual neurons that determine our every thought and function; however, intelligence, with its companions consciousness and memory has remained hidden despite everything.
By Justin Gignac8 years ago in Futurism
Our Fascination with the Unknown
What is humanity's fascination with the unknown really about? Is it all about our curiosity, the need to explain the unexplainable, or is there a deeper meaning? Urban legends, stories of the paranormal, and the study of cryptids (creatures that may or may not exist) all point to there being some underlying reason as to why we have such an obsession with these topics.
By Megan Burton8 years ago in Futurism
