Imagining the future

At least we can start talking about the fact that stress and time constraints are not individual, but structural problems. Everything is timed, much is dictated from outside; we divide our activities into categories such as necessary, meaningful, purposeful and “nice to have”. Business before pleasure – but what if there’s no time left for pleasure? Time is not evenly distributed in our society: some people have an abundance of time, while others struggle to get by.

Feminist author Teresa Bücker describes time as a question of power and freedom. She calls for political solutions to solve the dilemma of “time injustice”. The discourse surrounding the four-day week, care work and work-life balance shows that our priorities are slowly shifting. What we need is a new understanding and an honest discussion about how we want to honour the most valuable resource we have. And we should start asking ourselves how we truly want to spend it. It really is about time!

According to a recent survey by Germany’s digital association Bitkom, more than half of all pupils in Germany have already used ChatGPT. Unsurprisingly, educational institutions and educators all over the world have been overwhelmed with the challenge of dealing with the new technology. Bans on AI tools have been imposed and lifted, and some may fear that we could unlearn how to learn. Acquiring knowledge becomes a tiresome burden when AI produces answers and entire texts in a matter of seconds. But what happens to our critical thinking and problem-solving skills when we leave the laborious tasks to AI?

These qualms remind us of the anxiety that accompanied the advent of the internet, when floods of information suddenly became available at the touch of a button. But as was the case with the world wide web, the incorporation of AI promises huge potential. The shift from standardised to personalised learning experiences accommodates diverse learning styles, and syllabi can be adapted more flexibly, allowing for relevant and up-to-date teaching content. Rather than resisting those tools, some see the benefits of teaching a responsible use of AI to equip students for a future where AI is omnipresent. And this poses a much bigger question: are the discussions surrounding the advent of AI in education only a symptom of an outdated system? One thing is certain: the way we learn is evolving. Fast.

But who said that there has to be one partner for life ­– or even any partner at all? And what does the pursuit of a fairytale wedding really mean when marriage rates across most OECD countries have been in decline for decades?

Many no longer believe in the long-propagated ideal of one monogamous relationship till death do us part. That’s why more and more people are hitting the reset button on their understanding of relationships – with books and articles on relationships and love offering new concepts to explore. What we are now looking for is not always the one for life. In fact, we may have stopped chasing the idea of the ideal relationship entirely. Unmarried with children? Single and happy? Or consensual polyamory? The options are endless, and marriage may not be a goal worth pursuing for many, with more and more people questioning the archaic structures upholding it. New concepts for relationships are being born, going beyond prevalent norms to find love and fulfillment. By no means is this an outright rejection of romance or companionship – but it’s time to expand our definition of happily ever after.

After all, we want to believe. Slightly less outlandish, but no less impressive, are the images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope: it continues to fascinate us with imagery that is not only stunning, but also has the potential to reveal information about the beginning of the universe. Our fascination with space has been reignited – or perhaps it was never really gone.

We are in the midst of a new space race – no longer only a competition among states, but increasingly carried out by billionaires – and the vastness of space continues to wow us. Commercial flights are now available to purchase, that is, if you have a few thousand dollars and lots of free time. But the sky is no longer the limit as we venture into the great unknown. Much more important, however, are the insights gained in science. Considering the risks posed by climate change and environmental shifts, even life on Mars may become a viable option. But we don’t have to leave to benefit from knowledge about the space that surrounds us: visionaries and entrepreneurs have long recognised the valuable data and insights gained from satellites and other technological advancements to retain Earth as our home.

Under certain conditions, these mind-altering psychedelics don’t just lead to a high, some are even said to have healing properties: during the EPIsoDE study, which was completed at the end of 2023, a team of researchers investigated the effect of psilocybin on treatment-resistant depression – with positive results. Approval in Germany will likely take a few more years, but psilocybin and MDMA are already being used for treatment in Australia. 

But it’s not just neuroscientists who see potential in psychedelics: in the Netherlands and Switzerland (the birthplace of LSD) it is even possible to take part in guided retreats. In the company of experienced “trip sitters” and medical experts, group consumption is said to provide access to deeper feelings, thought patterns and memories. And from a professional perspective, these trips are said to help managers become more innovative and unlock creative powers. After completing a journey into the depths of their consciousness, some users report impressive experiences and a profound change of perspective, sometimes lasting for months after the trip.

We take a look underground and underwater, where mycelium and algae grow. In 2021, a research team at the University of Tübingen proved that cyanobacteria can produce their own bioplastics. The unicellular microalgae can convert carbon dioxide into the bioplastic PHB. Other microalgae and even macroalgae (which are visible to us) have already been used to create biodegradable plastic alternatives – which can be turned into film or other packaging materials. But more research is needed before the industrial production of plastic from algae can begin – and the same goes for mycelium.

Designers, researchers and start-ups have been experimenting with the potential of mushrooms for a while: cultivated in large quantities, the fungal root network mycelium can – on its own or combined with other natural fibers – be used as a solid or flexible material for packaging, insulation or building materials. However, some companies have now discovered a much more promising use of mycelium: it’s a great meat substitute. As such, it doesn’t have to be recycled or composted – which is important, since natural products are not automatically eco-friendly when it comes to the production process and their disposal. There is still a lot of room for improvement – and we’re excited for more solutions!