Future studies

The study of the future researches the medium-term to long-term future of societies and of the physical world.

Related Topics:
Future - Societies

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Sample predicted futures, as of 2003, range from predicted ecological catastrophes, to a utopian future where the poorest human being lives in what present-day observers would regard as wealth and comfort, to the transformation of humanity into a posthuman life-form, to the destruction of all life on Earth in a nanotechnological disaster.

Related Topics:
As of 2003 - Ecological catastrophe - Utopia - Posthuman - Nanotechnological

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Futurists have a decidedly mixed reputation and a patchy track record at successful prediction. For obvious reasons, they often extrapolate present technical and societal trends and assume they will develop at the same rate into the future; but technical progress and social upheavals, in reality, take place in fits and starts and in different areas at different rates. Thus many 1950s futurists predicted commonplace space tourism by the year 2000, but ignored the possibilities of ubiquitous, cheap computers, while Marxist utopias have yet to fully materialise. On the other hand, many forecasts have portrayed the future with some degree of accuracy. Many futurists aim to present multiple scenarios in order to help their readers/listeners envision what MAY occur instead of merely "predicting the future". Understanding potential scenarios, they claim, will help individuals and organizations prepare with flexibility.

Related Topics:
1950s - Space tourism - Computer - Marxist - Utopia

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As of 2003 over 40 tertiary education establishments around the world teach one or more courses in futures studies. The World Futures Studies Federation has a comprehensive database of futures courses.

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