If Pope Francis retires, what would that mean for the future of the papacy?

The Catholic Church values tradition, but if younger popes and papal retirements become the norm, then the institution could begin to look very different.

Jan Machielsen, The Conversation

· Aug 04, 2022 · 09:30 pm

Grave new world: If history is any indication, 2020 looks bleak

Not all hope is lost, though. And technology remains our best bet.

David Baker, The Conversation

· Jan 04, 2020 · 08:30 pm

Is Africa afraid of Chinese expansion? Dystopian science-fiction offers some clues

Serving as thought experiments, sci-fi explores shared and hidden beliefs and insecurities, such as the fear of China’s economic ascension.

Nedine Moonsamy, The Conversation

· Sep 25, 2019 · 05:30 pm

Can we use beloved works of literature to predict the future of cities?

The Literary Method of Urban Design takes an unusual approach to envisioning the future.

Alan Marshall, The Conversation

· Apr 17, 2019 · 05:30 pm

First person: Astrology makes me happy – even though I know it isn’t real

Horoscopes and other psychic-related services help us treat ourselves with self-compassion.

Sulagna Misra

· Apr 08, 2019 · 11:30 pm

From domed towns to underground buildings: How planners and artists envisioned cities of the future

Reformers and visionaries proposed places free from real-world urban problems like poor planning, uncontrolled sprawl, and social inequality and pollution.

Darren Garrett

· Aug 21, 2018 · 01:30 pm

Entrepreneurs in Bengaluru have built a robot chef for Indian kitchens

Mechanical Chef is now working on a final prototype which will be the size of a large microwave and more convenient.

Maria Thomas, qz.com

· Aug 16, 2018 · 01:30 pm

How Walt Disney combined wartime propaganda with entertainment to sell a vision for the future

When he was contracted by the government to produce animated shots, Disney’s role as a futurist came into the public eye.

Darren Garrett

· Jul 28, 2018 · 08:30 pm

Why the artificial intelligence revolution will be led by toasters, not talking droids

Developers who train machine-learning algorithms have found that it often makes sense to build specialised gadgets rather than wonder-boxes.

Janelle Shane, Aeon

· Jul 23, 2018 · 09:30 pm

No more regular offices: Indians are increasingly opting for co-working spaces

By 2020, some 13.5 million Indians will operate out of such facilities, according to estimates by Jones Lang LaSalle.

Suneera Tandon, qz.com

· Jun 05, 2018 · 08:30 pm

NATO has had five rebirths since its formation – its sixth should be without the US

NATO adapted to new roles since the fall of the Soviet Union, but must now prepare for Europe’s self-reliance

Jolyon Howorth

· May 12, 2017 · 11:30 pm

These YouTubers are obsessed with what humans (and humanity) will look like in the future

Humans could begin colonising the universe. They could also go extinct.

Scroll Staff

· Oct 02, 2016 · 07:00 pm