Near Future Laboratory Newsletter Index
Join nearly 21,000 members connecting art, product, design, technology, and futures.
Jan 2026 — Feb 2026
FILTER BY YEAR:202620252024
← Previous Page 5 of 15Next →
Near Future Laboratory Newsletter — Midweek 07, 2026
OpenClaw has emerged as a significant concept, presenting a future where technology acts autonomously, blurring the lines between software and agency. This newsletter invites readers to explore the implications of this shift, emphasizing the importance of understanding the signals and failures that precede major changes. It highlights upcoming General Seminar sessions focused on the agentic future, encouraging participation to navigate the complexities of this evolving landscape. The discussion will center on how to adapt to a world where...
newsletter discovery
A car with caterpillar tank tracks instead of wheels
Our world is evolving into a multi-occupancy habitat, and this week explores the concept of Design Fiction as a rehearsal for future possibilities. It discusses the new feature Algoriture, a platform for creating configurable novels, and highlights the upcoming General Seminar on the Agentic Future. The After-Action Report from the previous seminar emphasizes strategy as a form of science fiction, where weak signals are transformed into tangible outputs. The newsletter also examines the challenges faced by AI in...
newsletter discovery
This edition examines the interplay between play and imagination through the lens of futures work, reflecting on a recent experience observing children at play in Santa Barbara, California. It discusses the importance of challenging dominant paradigms and the difficulty of seeing the familiar world as strange. The afterword to "The Field Guide to Design Futures" emphasizes that meaning emerges through attention rather than mastery, advocating for a shift from discipline to disposition in futuring practices. The newsletter also...
newsletter discovery
General Seminar Banner Design Fiction as Strategic Practice
Fiction serves as a powerful tool for exploring possibilities, allowing us to rehearse the future and consider alternatives. This newsletter discusses the relationship between fiction, design, and strategy, highlighting the use of Design Fiction techniques to navigate uncertainty and complexity. It promotes an upcoming General Seminar session focused on Design Fiction as a strategic practice, where participants will learn to create tangible artifacts that help envision future scenarios. Additionally, it invites readers to join Office Hours for feedback...
newsletter discovery
Cover art for General Seminar Strategy as Science Fiction
This week features insights on strategy as a fictioning exercise, emphasizing the importance of imagining futures that do not yet exist. It discusses the role of AI in shaping narratives and public perception, drawing parallels between AI and GPS in terms of cognitive navigation. The upcoming General Seminar will explore strategy as a form of science fiction, encouraging participants to engage in futures-oriented thinking. The Office Hours recap highlights discussions on speculative design, frugal innovation, and the intersection...
newsletter discovery
Week 04 of 2026 brings a roundup of recent events, including insights from Office Hours, highlights from General Seminar S07/E01, and a preview of the upcoming General Seminar on Strategic Fictioning. The newsletter discusses the implications of Spike Jonze's film "Her," introduces a new sponsor, Party Clownz®, and features their innovative product, Circus Clown Prompt Paks. These packs are designed to enhance interactions with AI systems, promoting creativity and fun. The General Seminar S07/E02 focuses on the integration...
newsletter discovery
← Previous Page 5 of 15Next →