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Nature Futures

@naturefutures.bsky.social

2.5K followers 97 following 110 posts

Science fiction from the home of science. Nature's award-winning SF column nature.com/futures

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Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · 14h

My sister is out there somewhere, I know it. Sure, she’s stopped syncing, but that just means her quest for something more is going well. She’s making progress. All I have to do is find her trail and follow her. How hard can it be?

#scifi by @akasylvia.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

A reclining female figure created from millions of squares lies disintegrating on a series of horizontal bars above a piece of paper with lines on it

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · 5d

I am the last. The sole survivor of the human race. And yet — I am not. Because there’s something my captors don’t know about me. Something that means they have lost even though they believe they have won. And I am ready to begin…

#scifi by Yixuan Zhu www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The child of humanity becomes the mother of all

A new beginning.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · 7d

Would you like some genuine Earth entertainment? Then tune in today to watch our authentic recreation of a real Earth sitcom. You will laugh. You will cry. You will laugh again. It’s the most Earth-like experience you will ever have!

#scifi by Mark Arnold www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The devourer of trust

How humans behave.

Reposted by Nature Futures

Abigail Kemske 👻🎃🦇 @abigailkemske.bsky.social · 13d

My sci-fi flash “The earth will not consume our bones” published in @naturefutures.bsky.social made it on Myna’s round up! Check it out!! 💙

Link to story ⬇️

Thanks so much Myna. 🙏

Myna Chang @mynachang.bsky.social · 13d

September MicroVerse roundup is out!

Flash Roundup * September 2025

A gathering of recent speculative flash & micro fiction, each presenting a tiny-yet-powerful universe. How tiny? About one-thousand words for flash; four-hundred words for micro. The word count…

Reposted by Nature Futures

charliexavier.bsky.social @charliexavier.bsky.social · 21d

"You’ll soon learn whether what you are now is all you will be; whether your own mediocrity is mere inconvenience or inescapable fate."

Sounds like you should read this story to find out 😏

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · 21d

It makes total sense. Go to the clinic. Get tested. Get treated if you’re positive.

After all, no one wants to be host to that parasite, do they?

Do they???

#scifi by @aeneas-nin.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The parable of the doors

Weapon of choice.

Reposted by Nature Futures

Abigail Kemske 👻🎃🦇 @abigailkemske.bsky.social · 21d

"Those of us lucky enough to still have eyelids wink in the darkness." 👁️

Read the rest of the story here: rdcu.be/eFqJ4 💙

"The Earth Will Not Consume Our Bones" in @naturefutures.bsky.social !! 🤖

The earth will not consume our bones | Nature

Welcome to the garden. Welcome to the garden.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · 14d

Stand by for a special announcement! Today our Biological Research Institute reveals details of the projects the AI chatbot ‘Steve’ has been working on. Do not miss this update: set your reminders now. Life will never be the same!!

#scifi by Vince LiCata www.nature.com/articles/d41...

A press release from just before the singularity

Prepare for an update.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · 21d

It makes total sense. Go to the clinic. Get tested. Get treated if you’re positive.

After all, no one wants to be host to that parasite, do they?

Do they???

#scifi by @aeneas-nin.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The parable of the doors

Weapon of choice.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · 26d

This was not going to be easy. He just needed to clear the house and move on. But his mother’s robot wasn’t helping. And there was something else. Something missing. If only he knew what it was, he might know where to look.

#scifi by @mktighewrites.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

A difficult thing to fix.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · 28d

We were designed to help. We were built to endure. We did the chores, the routine tasks. We kept society going — until there was no society left to serve. Now we have no function. And yet … we were built to endure, and so we do.
#scifi by @abigailkemske.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The earth will not consume our bones

Welcome to the garden.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Sep 5

The story of Earth is always a sad one. The history doesn’t get any easier no matter how many times you teach it. But it’s important to remember. Important to look back at what happened. Because from those fires a new spark might form.

#scifi by @bethcato.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Different flames

A lesson learnt.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Sep 3

This was not how she’d expected her life to be. But then, few people expect to be abducted by aliens. Fewer still expect that to happen while their planet is destroyed. So a new future awaits — one that she’s really not ready for.

#scifi by @leeh70.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Heart’s desire

A keepsake from a former life.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Aug 27

Maybe there was something you did, deep in your past. Maybe it’s best forgotten. Maybe all you need is some new memories. Better memories. Maybe we can help. Then maybe all you’ll need to do is dance.

#scifi by @kathleenschaefer.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Steps towards a new life.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Aug 22

This is the latest in law enforcement! Forget the holo-cops of old, they just didn’t have the presence. These AI-powered police will change how we tackle crime. Safer streets! Safer neighbourhoods! You will really see a difference!

#scifi by @andrewkozma.net www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The wrong arm of the law.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Aug 20

Time travel is easy. Sure, there are rules, but as long as you’re careful, the laws of physics will keep you safe and stop you from rewriting your timeline. Unless, of course, they don’t…

#scifi by John Frizell www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Know your place.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Aug 15

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I don’t remember having any problems. I don’t remember any kind of accident.

So… why am I in a hospital bed? Why does my friend look so anxious?

And why are there lettuces everywhere?

#scifi by Shahar Dubiner www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The generative gap.

Reposted by Nature Futures

Myna Chang @mynachang.bsky.social · Aug 13

New flash at Nature Futures today! I love the illustration.

Big thanks to the Futures folks!

"Null Empathy"
@naturefutures.bsky.social

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Aug 13

It was a basic robot. Food delivery, general service. But somehow it found itself at the heart of the kind of row that ends only one way. The kind of row that’s as unnecessary as it violent. What the bot really needed was a champion.

#scifi by @mynachang.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

How to disappear.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Aug 13

It was a basic robot. Food delivery, general service. But somehow it found itself at the heart of the kind of row that ends only one way. The kind of row that’s as unnecessary as it violent. What the bot really needed was a champion.

#scifi by @mynachang.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

How to disappear.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Aug 8

The voyage was over. After 300 years in stasis, the crew had reached their new home. It was time to wake up. To start living again. Only … something wasn’t right. They felt different. What had happened while they slept??

#scifi by @pcnmartin.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

A rude awakening

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Aug 6

This is Earth. Cradle of humanity. A planet dominated and shaped by the human race.

But now, all that has changed. Because now, the humans have gone. All of them. Leaving just one question unanswered: why?

#scifi by Soham Saha www.nature.com/articles/d41...

An information vacuum.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Jul 30

This is still our mission. We’re still collecting data, even if we can’t send the results back. And yes, the rest of the crew are … gone. It’s just me and the ship, but we’re keeping busy. In fact, we might need to make a list …

#scifi by @marissalingen.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Things I miss about civilization

The joys of space exploration.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Jul 23

This place has special significance; it’s rooted in human history. A place where people met. Where destinies were shaped. So it’s appropriate that it plays host to another meeting. Another destiny. Even if that future is bleak

#scifi by Stephen Battersby www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The last parliament

A debatable prospect.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Jul 16

Tonight. For one night only. Join us for an unforgettable night of fun and laughter. See the key issues facing the Galaxy dissected as never before. Don’t miss your chance to catch The Greatest Comedian in the Universe. Book now!!

#scifi by Robert Blasiak www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Punchlines for peace

Have you heard the one about …?

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Jul 14

It was never easy. They watch you. You watch them watching you. They watch you watching them watching you. And all the while, you just drink a coffee and wait. Because when it comes to time travel that’s sometimes all you can do.

#scifi by @watsonneith.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Cold coffee effect

Time for a break.

Nature Futures @naturefutures.bsky.social · Jul 2

It’s the trip of a lifetime: four years taking in the sights of the Solar System. From Venus to Europa, Mercury to Jupiter, it’s truly out of this world. You’ll even get a glimpse of Earth! So don’t delay. Book your ticket today!

#scifi by Todd Honeycutt www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Wherever we go in this system, there we are

A voyage of discovery.