Culture

A Brief History of the Future

A Brief History of the Future is a unique six-part documentary series about our futures and how we can reimagine them. Hosted by renowned futurist Ari Wallach, the show invites viewers on a journey around the world that is filled with discovery, hope, and possibility about where we find ourselves today and what could come next.

Tomorrows

49m 50s

Examine the ways we often see the future as a rigid and singular concept rather than the multiple possible futures before us, the crucial need to think much, much bigger about what could come next, and how we all have more personal agency than we realize.

Episodes

  • Tomorrows: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Tomorrows

    S1 E6 - 49m 50s

    Examine the ways we often see the future as a rigid and singular concept rather than the multiple possible futures before us, the crucial need to think much, much bigger about what could come next, and how we all have more personal agency than we realize.

  • Together: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Together

    S1 E5 - 53m

    Humans are inherently social and throughout history our unique capacity for cooperation has set us apart. As we grow and evolve, the internal changes we enact have the potential to impact those around us, our broader communities and societies.

  • Human: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Human

    S1 E4 - 53m 2s

    Ari explores the human ability to increase empathy and compassion, what values we are instilling into artificial intelligence technologies, and the need to create both a better world and a better humanity for life to flourish on this planet.

  • Once Upon a Time: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Once Upon a Time

    S1 E3 - 53m 1s

    How do the stories we tell shape the boundaries of our beliefs about what is possible? From the dawn of time, stories are how humans have made sense of the world. This episode emphasizes the fundamental role stories play in our lives, our inclination towards dystopian narratives, and the potential for bigger, better stories to unleash the power of human imagination and creativity moving forward.

  • Chaos & Complexity: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Chaos & Complexity

    S1 E2 - 53m 3s

    Ari explores the historically transformational moment we are currently living in, why it causes so many of us to feel overwhelmed and afraid, and how it actually offers unprecedented possibilities for new and exciting futures we can create together.

  • Beyond the Now: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Beyond the Now

    S1 E1 - 53m

    The series widens our perspective of time beyond our lifetimes and joins Ari Wallach as he embarks on a journey to seek the individuals and ideas that can shape a better, more sustainable future that each generation can build upon.

Extras + Features

  • Visualizing A Better Future: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Visualizing A Better Future

    S1 E6 - 2m 47s

    Ari meets world renowned athlete Kylian Mbappé to discuss the vital importance of visualizing success, both personally and collectively, as we work towards building better futures.

  • Episode 6 Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 6 Preview

    S1 E6 - 30s

    Examine the ways we often see the future as a rigid and singular concept rather than the multiple possible futures before us, the crucial need to think much, much bigger about what could come next, and how we all have more personal agency than we realize.

  • Ari Explores Various New Forms of Clean Energy: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ari Explores Various New Forms of Clean Energy

    S1 E6 - 9m 44s

    Ari travels to Iceland, a country powered entirely by renewable energy. He explores a large-scale geothermal power plant that contributes 30% of the country’s electricity and powers a local greenhouse to grow large quantities of food throughout all seasons. Ari reflects on how these serve as sustainable solutions in this particular area that can inspire us to rethink our energy sources.

  • Future of 3D Printed Homes: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Future of 3D Printed Homes

    S1 E5 - 1m 26s

    Ari visits Austin, Texas to explore the latest innovation in homebuilding 3D printing. Melodie Yashar explains the process of 3D printing homes and its potential to address the global housing crisis and life on other planets. The example of a 3D-printed community in Austin showcases the speed and efficiency of this technology.

  • The Power of Deliberative Democracy: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Power of Deliberative Democracy

    S1 E5 - 8m 52s

    Ari explores the power of deliberative democracy, where citizens are actively involved in decision-making processes. Ari speaks with the French president Emmanuel Macron about the country’s use of citizen conventions to address major challenges and how they can serve as an example of how this approach can work.

  • The Vital Importance of Better Infrastructure: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Vital Importance of Better Infrastructure

    S1 E5 - 3m 4s

    Ari speaks with Pete Buttigieg about how building better infrastructure and transportation can influence human connection and cooperation. Buttigieg also explains the importance of designing communities that encourage interaction and relationships.

  • Episode 5 Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 5 Preview

    S1 E5 - 30s

    Humans are inherently social and throughout history our unique capacity for cooperation has set us apart. As we grow and evolve, the internal changes we enact have the potential to impact those around us, our broader communities and societies.

  • The Future of Sustainable Housing: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Future of Sustainable Housing

    S1 E5 - 9m 35s

    Ari travels to Amsterdam to experience a floating village that showcases an innovative approach to sustainable living and community building. The community's commitment to sustainability, shared resources, and social interaction serves as a model for fostering human connection and environmental responsibility.

  • How New Forms of Human Augmentation Could Affect Our Brains: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How New Forms of Human Augmentation Could Affect Our Brains

    S1 E4 - 9m 9s

    A rapidly changing modern world, with its technological advancements and pressing global issues, challenges traditional notions of what it means to be human. Designer Dani Clode shows Ari her third thumb invention and discusses how human augmentation raises questions about how these technologies will reshape our understanding of humanity.

  • Episode 4 Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 4 Preview

    S1 E4 - 30s

    Ari explores the human ability to increase empathy and compassion, what values we are instilling into artificial intelligence technologies, and the need to create both a better world and a better humanity for life to flourish on this planet.

  • Diverse and Impactful Storytelling to Reimagine Our Futures: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Diverse and Impactful Storytelling to Reimagine Our Futures

    S1 E3 - 9m 59s

    Ari meets Rafael Augustin who is advocating and empowering the next generation to produce new and diverse stories. Additionally, Ari visits a VFX studio to understand how the latest technology is transforming and expanding the limits of how new stores are being made.

Schedule

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.