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Exploring Futures

What if a future was to be found under a cloud?

As future archaeologists, we spend our time traveling to a multitude of possible futures. We say futures as we believe there is an infinite amount we can choose to explore and ultimately, create. We explore the particular worlds that accompany each possible future, being careful to leave no stone unturned. The purpose of future archaeology is to envision and uncover desirable futures—futures that we see having a positive effect and that we would like to become a reality.

The exciting journey starts in the present from which we time travel to any point or place in the future that can be imagined. Once we’ve reached a promising world, we spend time meticulously exploring and discovering what this world looks like—its society and its practices. One of the most important tasks of future archaeologists is the uncovering, analyzing, and preserving of artifacts found in these worlds. Here we interpret the artifacts’ possible meanings, uses, and implications on society. They are valuable clues that help us not only to create a well-rounded picture of this future world, but also to spark discussions and provoke insights. The implications of our findings continuously enhance our reality, inspiring us to explore more and more distant worlds.

Publications

Our most recent publication, Certain Thoughts about Uncertain Futures, takes you on a journey towards various possible futures through essays, stories, visualizations, questions and even recipes. We chose the most intriguing discoveries while time traveling to the futures to offer a glimpse into the fascinating worlds we’ve visited. Let yourself be fully immersed in our latest explorations, findings and newly discovered treasures—who knows what it might lead to!

The limited-edition print is available in selected bookstores in Zurich:

The entire revenue generated from this publication is donated to the UBS Optimus Foundation. The foundation drives impactful philanthropy that delivers breakthrough solutions to pressing social issues.