A Future Without: 50 Short Stories of What May Not Be
The book is available also on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Google Books. Check Readers' Favorite for my book's recent review.
Introducing My Book: A Future Without: 50 Short Stories of What May Not Be
Welcome to a glimpse into 2029, where the world as we know it has subtly yet profoundly changed. I am Dr. Uri Kartoun, and I am thrilled to present my book; in this collection, I explore the intriguing possibilities of losing something integral to our lives and how such absences reshape society in unexpected ways.
Imagine a day without the joy of indulging in French fries, the utility of chairs, or even the natural phenomenon of Earth’s rotation. What if abilities like thinking or sleeping were no longer part of the human experience? From beloved foods to essential tools, from cherished activities to innate abilities, each story in my book examines the gaps left behind and our remarkable capacity to adapt.
Every narrative stands alone, painting a unique picture of evolution and resilience. The scenarios range from the disappearance of mundane annoyances to the loss of foundational aspects of existence, inviting you to ponder the fabric of daily life and the interconnectedness of society and nature. Whether you are an adult or a teenager, I believe you will find these stories both engaging and reflective, sparking thoughts and discussions about innovation, the human spirit’s resilience, and what truly binds us together in the face of absence.
Through speculative fiction, I aim to help you appreciate the often overlooked and underappreciated aspects of our world. By confronting the unknown and the voids left behind, my book illuminates the unyielding power of creativity and hope in shaping our future.
A Future Without: 50 Short Stories of What May Not Be is my invitation to you to explore the boundaries of imagination and rediscover the uncelebrated wonders of our world. Join me on this journey through a future poised on the edge of the conceivable and the incredible, where every story is a gateway to new understandings and insights.
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I am excited to share that my book is currently available at the Harvard Book Store, at the MIT Press Bookstore, and at Porter Square Books. Additionally, The MIT Science Fiction Society Library has also accepted my book!
A FUTURE WITHOUT
CROSSROADS
In the altered world of 2029, where the concept of crossroads had become a historical curiosity, cities and communities underwent a profound transformation. The global disappearance of intersections, those critical junctures that had once directed the flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, reshaped not only the physical but also the psychological landscape of urban life. This phenomenon, unexplained by science or logic, left society to navigate a world where paths merged seamlessly, eliminating the need for decision-making at each corner...
A FUTURE WITHOUT
FAILURE
In 2029, the world found itself in an unexpected reality where failure had vanished from human experience. This wasn’t the result of a technological breakthrough or a global initiative but a sudden shift in human consciousness. People woke up one day to find that every endeavor, project, and effort led invariably to success. This new world, free from failure’s specter, quickly began to reshape itself in intriguing and complex ways...
A FUTURE WITHOUT
WAITING
By 2029, a curious phenomenon had emerged: the concept of waiting had vanished. No longer did people stand by coffee machines, idly passing the time as they waited for their morning brew. The once common scenes of colleagues sharing anecdotes or quietly contemplating the day ahead next to the gentle hum and drip of the machine had become vignettes from the past. Offices now were equipped with coffee dispensers that predicted and prepared beverages instantaneously, eliminating not just the wait but also those impromptu exchanges that often occur in those in-between moments...
A FUTURE WITHOUT
ROTATION
In 2029, Earth’s rotation gradually decelerated until it ceased entirely, a phenomenon that scientists had observed but could scarcely believe until it spun down. The planet, once spinning reliably on its axis, now hung still in space, creating a world of perpetual day on one side and endless night on the other. This unprecedented event reshaped life on Earth in profound and challenging ways...
A FUTURE WITHOUT
BIRTHDAYS
In 2029, the world transitioned into an era where birthdays ceased to be celebrated. This shift didn’t occur overnight nor was it the result of a global decree. Instead, it evolved from a collective movement toward embracing a more continuous and less age-focused approach to life. The concept of marking personal growth and achievements by the passing of years gradually lost its significance, giving way to new traditions that celebrated personal milestones and achievements irrespective of age...
A FUTURE WITHOUT
MONDAYS
In 2029, the world awoke to a reality that would have been unthinkable just a year prior: Mondays had simply ceased to exist. The transition from Sunday directly to Tuesday wasn’t marked by any scientific breakthrough or global referendum; instead, Mondays vanished from the calendar in a manner as mysterious as it was abrupt. This unexpected leap fundamentally altered the rhythm of daily life, casting a long shadow of both confusion and excitement worldwide...
A FUTURE WITHOUT
SAYING SORRY
In 2029, a subtle yet profound shift had permeated the global consciousness, fundamentally altering the fabric of human interaction: the word “sorry” had inexplicably fallen out of use. No law mandated this change, no cultural revolution sparked it; rather, seemingly overnight, humanity had collectively forgotten the very concept of expressing regret through this simple, powerful word. This disappearance forced societies worldwide to confront and reimagine communication, forgiveness, and accountability dynamics...
A FUTURE WITHOUT
TEENAGE
In 2029, humanity encountered an unprecedented phenomenon: the phase of adolescence, once a definitive era of growth and discovery, ceased to exist. Children transitioned to adulthood with the turn of a day, skipping the tumultuous years that had traditionally bridged childhood and maturity. This abrupt leap in the human lifecycle left an indelible mark on society, culture, and the very essence of human development...
A FUTURE WITHOUT
TRAFFIC SIGNS
In 2029, the unimaginable became reality: every traffic sign across the globe vanished. This mysterious overnight occurrence compelled humanity to confront its dependence on these guiding symbols that had long dictated the flow of our movement and shaped the architecture of our cities...
