Date: February 19, 2026

Summary: Office Hours No. 299 is set to begin tomorrow, inviting participants to engage in a live video call focused on design, technology, creativity, and the future. This weekly event offers a platform for connection, questions, and project feedback. Additionally, the newsletter highlights the importance of training AI to develop maternal instincts as a potential solution for humanity's challenges. It features a curated selection of design fiction books, including *The Manual of Design Fiction*, available as a discounted set. The Near Future Laboratory community is emphasized, encouraging support through membership for exclusive content and participation in discussions. Weekly Office Hours provide a supportive environment for sharing ideas and receiving feedback, fostering a global network of diverse individuals.

Essentially: Imagination serves as a crucial early-warning system for identifying possibilities and should be actively cultivated within communities.

But why? In an era of rapid change, having a supportive community is vital for personal and professional growth. Engaging in collaborative discussions and feedback loops enhances creativity and innovation.

Office Hours No. 299 Starts Tomorrow!

Office Hours

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Join me for Office Hours No. 299 - RSVP here

Office Hours is a weekly event where I host a live video call to discuss design, technology, creativity, the future and more. It's a great way to connect, ask questions, and get feedback on your projects.

Hope to see you there!

Training AI to develop maternal instincts could be what saves the human

CBC Ideas Podcast

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Current Mood

On The Shelf

The Manual of Design Ficton ++

The Four Design Fiction Books

Author: Julian Bleecker, BSEE, MSEng, PhD

Get the 4 most popular products in the shop in one fell swoop and save more than 40% over each separately!

No fuss, no muss.

4 Books including The Manual of Design Fiction — $60.00, shipped to you.

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Join the Near Future Laboratory Community Your support helps

Near Future Laboratory Patreon

Join the Discord, Support Office Hours, the Newsletter and More

The Near Future Laboratory is supported by its community and members. Join us on Patreon to support our work, get access to exclusive content, and be part of our vibrant Discord community where we discuss design, technology, creativity, the future and do projects and support each others' work.

I host weekly Office Hours for Patrons -- now for 289 weeks and running -- every Friday at 0900 (UTC-7 / California). It's a great way to connect, ask questions, and get feedback on your projects.

Each week two people from the community present a project, idea, or challenge and we discuss it together. It's a great way to get feedback, learn from others, and connect with like-minded people.

All of this is done in a friendly, supportive, and welcoming environment. We have people from all over the world, from all walks of life, and with all kinds of interests. It's a great way to meet new people, network, show what you can do, and learn from each other.

In this time of rapid change and uncertainty, it's more important than ever to have a community of people who can support you, challenge you, and help you grow. The Near Future Laboratory is that community.

Join →

Imagination is not a luxury. It’s an early-warning system for possibility.

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