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The newest issue from the Near Future Laboratory newsletter.

A compact entry point into notes, signals, artifacts, and dispatches that move alongside the commissioned work.

Most recent / Aug 03, 2026

W32-Y26: W32-Y26

Is law the first applied futurism? This concept emerged during a recent Office Hours discussion, highlighting the role of lawyers as early futurists who shape imagined futures through legal frameworks. The newsletter examines how law transforms possibilities into enforceable codes, creating a duality in the future that is both open to interpretation and constrained by written regulations. It also explores the implications of this perspective on futurism, suggesting that lawyers engage in applied speculation with tangible outcomes. Additionally, it features insights on the Tektronix Turing Clamp 6502 MkII, job opportunities at the Office of Applied Speculation, and a new book on Futures Thinking that integrates social research and participatory design. Other highlights include Tim O’Brien’s blog on AI and labor, William Fisk’s hyperrealistic art, and a discussion on Gen Z's skepticism towards AI, emphasizing the need for policy over PR to build trust. The newsletter also covers design futures, including a master’s thesis on strategic design and futures studies, and the potential of science fiction in human-computer interaction.

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The Design Fiction Work Kit (2022) is now available in limited quantities, featuring a generative tool designed to help users imagine possible near futures. This kit includes a variety of combinations for innovative Design Fiction Product Designs, allowing users to select from categories such as Archetype, Tone, Object, Attribute, and Action, along with a unique 70/20/10 Joker. The kit is ideal for ideation and enhancing foresight skills. Additionally, four essential Design Fiction books are on sale, providing methods,...

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This edition explores the intriguing intersection of technology and human perception through the lens of autonomous vehicles, particularly a Waymo seen in Venice Beach, CA. It examines how robots interact with the world differently than humans, raising questions about their design and operational logic. The discussion extends to applied speculation projects, including a magazine called “Car and Driverless” that envisions a future where autonomous vehicles are commonplace. Additionally, it highlights the Adjacency project, which merges Gen-Z sensibilities with...

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A recent tech conference in Palm Springs, PS/NExT, sparked discussions on the tangible impacts of technology on daily life, emphasizing the importance of land, water, and power. The event featured local teams rapidly developing AI-assisted prototypes, showcasing practical applications like a wind-tour Q&A app and a dashboard for zoo waste tracking. Additionally, insights were shared on the generative AI's influence on creative work, with a report from the Future Skills Centre in Canada. The newsletter also highlights the...

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A group of people and cars in front of a mural depicting a street scene, with a hardware store on the left and a sign pointing to local attractions on the right.

This edition explores the implications of autonomous technologies in everyday life, highlighting a playful incident in New Hope, PA where local youth engaged with delivery carts, sparking a broader dialogue on the societal costs of convenience. It reviews the Apple InfraMaximal 6502, a device designed to monitor cognitive exposure to AI interactions, and discusses the trend of towns becoming "robot-unreadable" as communities respond to autonomous nuisances. The newsletter also examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding robot rights and reports...

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This week explores the implications of living in a world of just-enough, featuring a conversation with Ian Bogost about his book “The Small Stuff,” which examines sensory life and the value of ordinary objects. It reflects on a recent Futures 2.0 Seminar activity that posed the question of what individuals would do if universal basic income were a reality, encouraging participants to propose meaningful contributions to their communities. The newsletter also highlights various cultural signals, including a design...

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