At the end of every year, many publishers produce special editions dubbed The Year in Review or The Year Ahead. In the spirit of such fanfare, I decided to launch an annual digest: Future Ideas of the Year. But rather than look back or ahead one year, I decided to look through the lens of the future to identify the cultural shocks, ideas and people who drove social and economic change.
Our wide-ranging editorial covers business, culture, science, and politics and is segmented into four categories.
Cultural Shocks highlights the events that surprised us, jarred us or made us think. The People spotlights individuals whose actions or circumstances stood out. The Ideas features several key issues that are transforming innovation, and The Predictions presents a handful of forecasts that may alter our perception of what the future holds.
From market-moving tremors and technological leaps, to bold visions and unforgettable scientific advancements, Future Ideas of the Year delivers insight into awe-inspiring, earth-shaking and nerve-racking events that motivated us to consider the inconceivable.
Whether goals were big or small, noble or pure speculation, whether they emerged from the neurobiological quirks of serious forerunners or laudable outsiders—all are celebrated.
—TF
January 2025