August 2010

Anticipation

We salute the basic human urge to remember the future

The New King of the Sea

As the world's oceans are degraded, will they be dominated by jellyfish?

Marine Advisory

Scientists say the outlook for the world's oceans is bleak—unless we stop overfishing and reduce air and water pollution

Charging Ahead

An entrepreneur hits the road with a new approach for an all-electric car that overcomes its biggest shortcoming

Q and A: Richard Branson

The billionaire entertainment mogul talks about the future of transportation and clean energy

Buying Time

For scientists in a remote corner of coastal North Carolina, ignoring global warming is not an option

Meet the Species

From old-world primates to patch-nosed salamanders, new creatures are being discovered every day

Five Species Likely to Become Extinct in the Next 40 Years

Farms Go to Town

Grow fruits and vegetables in city towers? Advocates give a green thumbs up

Why I'm Optimistic

Looking ahead to the next 40 years, President Obama writes about our nature as Americans to dream big and solve problems

Ready, Set, Grow

The United States population will expand by 100 million over the next 40 years. Is this a reason to worry?

Q and A: George Friedman

The geopolitical scientist predicts which nations will be fighting for world power in 2050

What Will America Look Like in 2050?

Q and A: Rosamond Naylor

The economist discusses the stresses that climate change and a greater world population will have on our food supply

New Fields

Food security experts say these crops, if grown more widely, could help feed the hungry

The Age of Peace

Maturing populations may mean a less violent future for many societies torn by internal conflict

Listening to Bacteria

By studying microbial communications, Bonnie Bassler has come up with new ways to treat disease

Q and A: Melinda French Gates

The co-chair of the world's largest philanthropy talks about what can be done to improve global health and poverty

Organs Made to Order

It won't be long before surgeons routinely install replacement body parts created in the laboratory

Next in Space

Probes and landers sent into the final frontier will bring us closer to answering cosmic mysteries

Masters of Disaster

Astronomers are determined to protect human beings from inanimate outer space invaders

Q and A: Melvin Konner

The anthropologist and physician talks about how our understanding of child development will change

Interaction and Adventure

The director of the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum predicts how art will engage us as never before

Q and A: Rita Dove

The Pulitzer-Prize winning poet discusses how new technologies will affect the creative process

­­Q and A: Tod Machover

The inventor and MIT professor talks about where music and technology will intersect over the course of the next 40 years

The Future of History

Declassified records and journals to be released in coming decades will shed new light on pivotal 20th-century figures and events

Q and A: James Cameron

The director of Avatar and Terminator talks about future sequels, 3-D television and Hollywood in 2050

Q and A: George Lopez

The late-night talk show host discusses how America's changing demographics will affect what makes people laugh

Powwows and Karaoke

Filmmaker Chris Eyre says Native pride will embolden the next generation of first Americans

Q and A: Sabiha Al Khemir

The museum curator and author predicts that relations between the United States and the Muslim world will improve

Q and A: Carl Hiaasen

The satirist talks about the "curve of human weirdness" and the need for public outrage in the political arena

The Genius of Small Things

Harvard professor and scientific genius George Whitesides believes that nanotechnology will change medicine as we know it

Invisible Engineers

Chemist Angela Belcher looks to manufacture high technology out of viruses

Q and A: Laurie Anderson

The multi-faceted artist sees a future in which artists change our auditory experiences

Power From the People

Energy harvested from our bodies will make possible mind-boggling gadgetry

Shining Example

Solar technologies being pioneered in Spain show even greater promise for the United States

Vinton Cerf

Google’s “Chief Internet Evangelist” talks about the direction of online connectivity and communication

From Print to Pixel

As digital screens proliferate and people move from print to pixel, how will the act of reading change?