What is Future: Definition and 784 Discussions

The future is the time after the present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the apparent nature of reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently exists and will exist can be categorized as either permanent, meaning that it will exist forever, or temporary, meaning that it will end. In the Occidental view, which uses a linear conception of time, the future is the portion of the projected timeline that is anticipated to occur. In special relativity, the future is considered absolute future, or the future light cone.In the philosophy of time, presentism is the belief that only the present exists and the future and the past are unreal. Religions consider the future when they address issues such as karma, life after death, and eschatologies that study what the end of time and the end of the world will be. Religious figures such as prophets and diviners have claimed to see into the future.
Future studies, or futurology, is the science, art, and practice of postulating possible futures. Modern practitioners stress the importance of alternative and plural futures, rather than one monolithic future, and the limitations of prediction and probability, versus the creation of possible and preferable futures. Predeterminism is the belief that the past, present, and future have been already decided.
The concept of the future has been explored extensively in cultural production, including art movements and genres devoted entirely to its elucidation, such as the 20th-century movement futurism.

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  1. B

    Debate: Could the Unpredictability of Quantum World Negate Future Prediction?

    This is a bit speculative and without sources, so that's why ill chuck it here for some 'light debate'. Could it be that the unpredictability of the quantum world occur to negate any possibility of accurate future prediction? I'm under the assumption that there is something fundamentally...
  2. fluidistic

    Schools Worried about a future grad school application

    I'm almost mid-way through a "licenciatura" degree in Argentina which is 5 years long. My current GPA would exclude me from any grad school (5.83/10), I believe. I plan on to get it up as much as I can, maybe I'll reach a 7/10 but sincerely I'm not that optimistic and I guess I'll end with a...
  3. S

    Will ADHD diagnosis effect future job prospects?

    Okay, so I was diagnosed at a young age with ADD and ADHD and took medicine from elementary until I graduated H.S. I usually don't take the medicine unless I really need to concentrate on something for long periods of time. I started back in college after a 5 year break and found that it was...
  4. C

    Physics Mandarin - Beneficial for a future Physicist/Mathematician

    I'm sure this has come up before, but I hope angling it in this specific manner helps justify the new post. I will be starting university this fall, and have decided I want to learn a third language (First being Norwegian, second being English.. Or the other way around. Equally fluent in both...
  5. V

    Which branch to specialize in given limited energy supplies in future?

    In my lifetime, there will be at least two major challenges to human society: climate change (of which you have hopefully heard) and peak oil (of which not enough people are talking). The first necessitates decreasing emissions, going green, reducing consumption, likely a reorganizing of human...
  6. A

    Question about traveling in the future

    Einstein found out that the faster you move trough space, the slower time goes. So if you travel very fast trough space, then 1 hour for you, could be many years on earth. So let's say you travel very fast, and therefore goes 50 years into the future. Then you are landing on Earth 50 years...
  7. russ_watters

    Energy Usage Growth - History and Future

    I've put a bunch of effort on this forum into discussing what I consider one of the most important issues facing the US and mankind in general: where to get/how to use energy. I'd like to discuss the history of and projections for future energy use. Here's an article with some charts...
  8. C

    Dreams of the Future: Deja Vu & Knowing What's Next

    this may sound wierd, but have these feelings of dejavu of everyday events, feeling like i have dreamt of them beforehand.lasting mostly for 30-45 seconds, i suddenly keep knowing what i had dreamt next and that thing happens. then the feeling subsides. funny thing is that i don't remember any...
  9. A

    The reallity of my future Need guidance

    Lately I have been contemplating the reallity of my past and how it might pose problems for the future life I wish to lead. I am 24 now and when I was 22 I had a condo. I made a poor decision and I grew pot in my house. I had this going for 4 years or so, never sold it, just a personal...
  10. R

    Programs Does your choice of PhD research restrict your future research options much?

    Hello everyone I am going to be applying for PhDs this year and have been looking around at what is available. I'm finishing a masters in physics (in the UK) and I have tried to tailor it in the last year so that I have a medical physics/biophysics flavour to it through research projects and...
  11. K

    Can Rear Wheel Steering Improve Bus Maneuverability?

    Hello all! Today when I was driving home from school with bus (80km drive). And as the bus was trying to turn around in a really tight place and it was really struggling. So i started thinking that could it be possible to make bus have both axles turning so the turning area would be lot less...
  12. C

    Outcome of highschool AP physics class a good indicator of future?

    After excelling at honors physics 1 at my high school my 10th grade year i was recommended for the AP physics class which was just introduced to school aimed at seniors. I love science, mathematics and how the world and things work which is why i signed on, however the class is very demanding...
  13. R

    Future of the universe without proton decay.

    How will the future of the universe be if proton decay does not occur? Does it mean that the degenerate era will last longer?
  14. J

    Physics Junior in High School seeking guidance for future career in Physics

    Hi, I am new to this forum, but I have read plenty of posts and have found it very useful so I decided to go ahead and post my question. I am a 17 year old junior in high school right now and I have recently become very passionate about Physics. I decided that I want to seek a career in...
  15. T

    Can We Create Energy Like Living Organisms?

    Do you think that in the future we'll be able to create a device that can create energy just like how our bodies or any other living things do. Such as eating, drinking, and breathing. If not, then why? Sorry, if this is against the forum rules but I would really just like to know if this...
  16. UseAsDirected

    Physics Dejected question about physics future

    Thank you for taking the time to read this frantic, incoherent pabulum. Question -- Would you leave physics Ph.D. graduate research to go teach at a very high-level preparatory school if 1) you really like teaching (and have taught for three years) 2) the salary the prep school offering...
  17. L

    Programs Top Major for future in Astrophysics

    Finally I am almost done with my lower level undergraduate work, finishing up the calculus sequence and physics this semester along with linear algebra. As people who have read my thread before know I very nonplussed with my current schoo. I think I am indeed transferring after figuring out...
  18. marcus

    Talk by Weinberg about LHC and future of particle physics (video)

    Excellent talk at clear basic level. To save time, one can start at minute 7:00. That's where he discusses the standard model and then the Higgs, and then moves on to what else might be found. http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2384517 I gather the talk was given this morning, 19 October, at a...
  19. S

    Find Best Astrophysics College for Florida High School Senior

    As you can tell by my username I am currently in a high school senior w/ a 3.0 GPA. Looking for colleges to apply to is a problem for me, I live in Florida and my mom won't let me go out of state. What college for my undergraduate should I go to? In astrophysics?
  20. K

    Apparently, Higgs bosons created in an alternative future can alter the present.

    http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2009/10/is-a-time-travelling-higgs-sab.html Can you believe this? I guess we all need a good laugh every once in a while.
  21. J

    Time Dilation and Future Interstellar Travel

    Hello all, I am new to the Forum and have no formal Physics training. I have an interest in the subject mainly due to other pursuits. I am reading Joe Haldeman's The Forever War. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Time Dilation or Humans vs Aliens at...
  22. J

    Is this the Future of Mathematics?

    I was reading about some problems in theoretical computer science, and the problem P = NP? is considered to be the most important problem in the field. and it has very deep implications for all of mathematics if proven true. (Quote)...
  23. Ivan Seeking

    The future of retail - Inventory on demand?

    While I have been purchasing goods online for a decade and have watched the evolution of the online industry from the beginning, there is a twist to the retail-online war for business that was news to me, at least. According to a person who should know [don't want to get anyone in trouble here]...
  24. S

    Future in Cosmology: College Requirements & Pay

    Alrite I am sure this question has been asked many times. What do i need to take in college for a future in cosmology? i don't want to waste too much time in school but if i have to I am willing to do it, and i was wondering if a job in cosmology paid well? if so or not how much?? I've also...
  25. P

    My academic future right now looks like hell

    I don't know why, but I'm currently just so unmotivated and lazy in college right now. Im going to be a junior, and I did really good during my freshmen year, pretty much getting all As or A-'s. And then, in my sophomore year everything went to ****. I don't have any explanation whatsoever...
  26. K

    How to estimate the future global population

    Hello everybody! I have been reading about the evolution of population growth since 1950 till now. It had many factors such as development of technology, of medecine, ... Now i want to calculate the future population growth let's say for example for 2050. In those readings i found also those...
  27. K

    How to estimate the future global population

    Hello everybody! I have been reading about the evolution of population growth since 1950 till now. It had many factors such as development of technology, of medecine, ... Now i want to calculate the future population growth let's say for example for 2050. In those readings i found also those...
  28. J

    NASA The Future of NASA: What Changes Will the Augustine Commission Make?

    I am wondering what you guys think the future of NASA is going to be, what changes do you think the Augustine commission will make? Are we going to the moon as planned, skipping the moon and heading straight for mars, or are we going to just focus on the space station?
  29. V

    Einstein’s return to ether, what future of relativity?

    Dear friends, In 1920, Einstein had made a quotation as; "According to the general theory of relativity space without ether is unthinkable; for in such space there not only would be no propagation of light, but also no possibility of existence for standard of space and time...
  30. D

    Block Universe Theory: Past, Present & Future

    Do you buy into a block Universe theory? Is this theory still highly respected? What is the perferred interpretation of 'time' among most scientists?
  31. A

    Low GPA? Mechanical Engineering School Chance w/ 3.2

    I am a double major (physics, comp sci) at a small relatively unknown college. I am a senior and will graduate in 2010. I want to go to engineering school (mechanical) but my GPA is kind of in the toilet. Right now after this summer its sitting at about 2.9. Thus the best I can do before...
  32. T

    Paradox which questions time travel to the future

    You all have heard of the paradox whereas when you travel to the past and kill your grandfather you should not have existed in the presence whatsoever because you have killed your origins. So far so good...but I thought of another case, which I believe is more interesting since so far the...
  33. A

    Engineering Future of Engineering in the world

    I am currently a high school sophmore in the United States and am very involved in robotics, math, science, and programming in my school. Both my parents have computer science masters, while my dad has an electrical engineering degree as well and my mother has a mathematics degree as well. I am...
  34. J

    Medical Preparing for the Future: Cord Blood Banking

    My wife is due by the end of August, and we plan to collect the cord blood. I was wondering what happens to our cord blood, if the cord blood bank goes bankrupt in the future?
  35. A

    What are the top Quality-of-Life careers in the future?

    In terms of anything, however you want to define it. Personally, I'd definite "quality of life" as a job that has: 1) great job security and provides for a stable life 2) has a high income-to-work-hour ratio, similarly, decent working hours I think that all careers are equally fulfilling...
  36. R

    What are your views on the future of Space Exploration

    It is no secret that the days of mankind are numbered on Earth. Humans have the whole universe to explore to find resources or another spaceship. Will this be taken seriously by the general public or will it remain a dream of a fanatical few? Is there future in space exploration and would a...
  37. P

    Engineering Nuclear engineering in India and its future

    Hi every body.. I just want to know how beneficial it would be if one pursues the nuclear physics stream etc., thank you
  38. E

    Special Relativity Time Travel to Future - Could You Watch the News on Earth?

    If you are traveling away from Earth on a spaceship near the speed of light, it is well known that the moving clocks on the ship run slower relative to stationary clocks on earth. I was wondering if while on the space ship, you could watch the news on TV and see events progress at a...
  39. T

    Future career path with this combo, is it possible?

    I'm still in high school but I was wondering if there are any fields or industries that make intensive use of Astronomy, Physics and Computer Science. I'm really interested in all three but I can't think of any job that makes extensive use of all three. The closest I got was thinking about...
  40. J

    Startling Revelations in "The Future of Food"

    I had no idea about this stuff before watching this...now I'm shocked and scared http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food
  41. W

    Maximizing Savings for Your Future: A Guide for Young Adults

    Hey, I'm not exactly sure if this is the right place to ask this but there's no harm in trying. I am 19 and an engineering major. I've heard people older than me talking about how they are losing their pensions/retirement and that they wished that they would have started started saving money...
  42. Ivan Seeking

    Are microcompact homes in your future?

    http://www.microcompacthome.com/pics/start_1.jpg http://www.microcompacthome.com/ http://www.microcompacthome.com/company/
  43. R

    How fast to go 1000 years into the future

    How fast (close to c in mph or m/s) would I need to go to go 1000 years into the future relative to an observer on Earth? In general, is there a calculation which can tell me how fast I need to be going to go x distance in time relative to an observer on earth?
  44. C

    Can computer engineers and scientists drive the future of computer science?

    Hello there, I want to share my views on my field. I am a computer engineering student at a university. After doing some research about the field, i have seen that mostly innovative and new ways of computing technology and algorithms has been found by either mathematicians or physicists (...
  45. S

    What are the Newest Developments in Energy Storage Technology?

    Could somebody tell what is the newest ideas in energy storage technology? Is there some new effects discovered, such as quantum or electron related? Is this possible to have energy storage which would be average in energy density between chemical and nuclear?
  46. J

    Programs Future prospects for the incoming class of PhD students

    With the economy in the dumps, a lot of grad schools this year seemed to be taking significantly smaller than normal incoming class sizes (at least in math, where I was applying; for instance, I was told the University of Minnesota was taking on only 30% of their normal amount of incoming math...
  47. rootX

    Is Modern Conservatism Unsustainable?

    http://news.google.com/news?btcid=8db0ab72be47535d I just stumbled into this extract and now really want to read that book. I think it is a good book as it does not seem to promote hate or religious propaganda. Currently, I also have same opinion as M Edwards (one that is bold). Anyone have...
  48. D

    Future - Innovation in Compressed Air Technology

    Let's talk about the future of compressors and compressed air technology. Of course, the first compressor appeared a long time ago and the technology is developing to provide more efficient and modern models. Do you see any breakthrough innovation for this technology in the future, like a move...
  49. A

    What job skills are necessary for a successful future?

    What are some crucial future job skills? There have been many threads on "jobs of the future" but to me those are highly tentative predictions, but "job skills" seems more useful these days than a particular college degree. I think math/quantitative/analytical skills may become increasingly...
  50. T

    Aerospace/astronautical engineering in the future?

    How much might the field of aerospace engineering grow in the future. Do you think that the average salary will increase in the next 15 years or so? Again, if you're going to answer just by saying it depends, i prefer you just don't answer. Thanks for Your Time!
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