What Is Future Tense?
A partnership of Slate, the New America Foundation, and Arizona State University on emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Future Tense is the citizen’s guide to the future.
A partnership of Slate, the New America Foundation, and Arizona State University, Future Tense explores emerging technologies, policy, and society. Rather than looking at the tech specs of the hot new gadget (which will be obsolete in a few months), Future Tense looks at the technologies that will soon change the way we live our lives: robotics, information and communication technologies, synthetic biology, augmented reality, space exploration, and more. Future Tense also examines the policy challenges presented by these breakthroughs: How can legislators properly regulate technologies they can’t even understand? Further, how can we encourage innovation and research that will make a difference in society?
Future Tense asks these questions through live events with policymakers, scientists, journalists, and interested members of the public, held primarily in Washington, D.C. In addition, there is daily Future Tense content published on Slate.
To get Future Tense articles and learn about events, sign up for our weekly newsletter or RSS feed. You can also follow us on Twitter and read the daily Future Tense blog.
Future Tense events
Tinkering With Tomorrow
Feb. 29, 2012
Fear of the Future Happy Hour
Dec. 1, 2011
What Will Turn Us On in 2030?
Oct. 19, 2011
Will Robots Steal Your Job?
Sept. 29, 2011
Is Our Techo-Human Marriage in Need of Counseling?
Sept. 15, 2011
Can Technology Save Foreign Aid?
March 3, 2011
Here Be Dragons: Governing an Uncertain Technological Future
Feb. 3-4, 2011
Never Say Die
Nov. 16, 2010
Geoengineering: The Horrifying Idea Whose Time Has Come?
Sept. 27, 2010
Warring Futures: How Biotech and Robotics Are Transforming Today’s Military—and How That Will Change the Rest of Us
May 24, 2010
Can You Hear Me Now? Why Your Cell Phone Is So Terrible.
April 2, 2010
Manhunt: From Saddam to Bin Laden
Feb. 26, 2010
See Every Pop Culture Reference Made in a Tarantino Movie in 5 Minutes
Dr. Oz’s Miracle Diet Advice Is Malarkey
The NRA Claims the AR-15 Is Useful for Hunting and Home Defense. Not Exactly.