Things to Come is a series of public talks exploring the intersections of transhumanism, science fiction, politics, and society.
Transhumanism envisions boundless progress, where science and technology pave the way for an evolutionary leap for the human species–transcending biological limitations while expanding the horizons of life and knowledge. These ideas reflect technocapitalism’s core drive toward limitless growth fueled by technological innovation. Yet, this push beyond existing frontiers collides directly with the urgent reality of the eco-climate crisis and growing socioeconomic inequalities, both driven by the contradictions of an innovation that claims freedom from all constraints. In this era of polycrisis, there is a pressing need to rethink limits as a central concept and unpack their profound political and social implications.
Recognizing and accepting limits should not lead to passive resignation, but rather to a fundamental reimagining of unjust economic models and their impact on resource consumption in a finite world. Far from being a boundary, the concept of the limit serves as an invitation to imagine alternative futures and–echoing Tim Jackson–strive for shared prosperity without growth.
With this in mind, the Things to Come programme presents a critical investigation that weaves together literature, cinema, essays, and debate. Across various sessions, we will examine the construction of cultural imaginaries through the lenses of futurology and sociology, deconstruct the rhetorical traps of technological promises, critique the boundaries of mainstream sci-fi narratives, and explore the potential for alternative tomorrows–such as those envisioned by Solarpunk.