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Future Perfect

Finding the best ways to do good. Check out our 2024 Future Perfect list, which presents the 50 thinkers, scientists, activists, and scholars who are working to build a more positive future.

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The 2024 Future Perfect 50
Future Perfect

Welcome to our third annual celebration of the thinkers, innovators, and changemakers who are working to make the future a better place.

By Bryan Walsh and Izzie Ramirez
The 2024 Future Perfect 50
Future Perfect

Welcome to our third annual celebration of the thinkers, innovators, and changemakers who are working to make the future a better place.

By Bryan Walsh and Izzie Ramirez
Artificial intelligence isn’t a good argument for basic incomeArtificial intelligence isn’t a good argument for basic income
Future Perfect

A major study backed by OpenAI’s Sam Altman shows unconditional cash has benefits that have nothing to do with AI.

By Oshan Jarow
Future Perfect, explainedFuture Perfect, explained
Future Perfect

Welcome to Vox’s home for stories about changing the world.

By Dylan Matthews
Support Future PerfectSupport Future Perfect
Future Perfect

We are always searching for new and innovative ways to fund the work we do and ensure the health of Future Perfect for years to come.

By Vox Staff

The latest in Future Perfect

The case for earning lots of money — and giving lots of it awayThe case for earning lots of money — and giving lots of it away
Future Perfect

How “earn to give” harnesses the engine of capitalism to altruistic ends.

By Kelsey Piper
Why is it still so hard to breathe in India and Pakistan?Why is it still so hard to breathe in India and Pakistan?
Climate

The world’s worst air pollution is getting worse, but there are concrete ways to fix it.

By Umair Irfan
Americans are eating less meat. And more meat. How?Americans are eating less meat. And more meat. How?
Future Perfect

The growing chasm in American meat consumption, explained.

By Kenny Torrella
John Green’s crusade to make the world “suck less”
Future Perfect

Tuberculosis is still the world’s top killer. The author has a plan to fight back.

By Dylan Scott
Chef José Andrés knows how to feed people in a crisis
Future Perfect

From Gaza to Asheville to Valencia, the celebrity chef understands

By Izzie Ramirez
What would a world with abundant energy look like? Materials scientist Deb Chachra has an idea.
Future Perfect

The “How Infrastructure Works” author wants us to envision achievable utopias.

By Izzie Ramirez
Only 1 percent of neuroscience faculty is Black. Kaela Singleton hopes to change that.
Future Perfect

Whatever you do, don’t call the Black in Neuro founder “resilient.”

By Celia Ford
Neuroscientist Rafael Yuste could play your brain like an instrument. He wants to protect it instead.
Future Perfect

Your brain needs new rights. He’s fighting to secure them.

By Sigal Samuel
Shannon Vallor says AI does present an existential risk — but not the one you think
Future Perfect

AI is not a “stochastic parrot,” It’s a mirror, says the philosopher.

By Sigal Samuel
Denmark is tiny. Its ambition to make its food system more climate-friendly is huge.
Future Perfect

How Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl got the country to launch an impressive vegetarian experiment.

By Kenny Torrella
The climate crisis is a big problem. Marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is dreaming of even bigger solutions.
Future Perfect

The What If We Get It Right? author rises to the challenge.

By Sam Delgado
How Christopher Nolan made the threat of nuclear extinction feel real
Future Perfect

The “Oppenheimer” director built his career on making audiences confront humanity’s darkest possibilities.

By Bryan Walsh
Gen Z superstar Billie Eilish doesn't separate climate activism from animal welfare
Future Perfect

That’s what makes her so refreshing.

By Izzie Ramirez
Are we actually in the middle of a generosity crisis?Are we actually in the middle of a generosity crisis?
Future Perfect

Charitable giving in the US is down. But generosity goes beyond dollars.

By Celia Ford
The stunning success of vaccines in America, in one chartThe stunning success of vaccines in America, in one chart
Future Perfect

America, before and after vaccines.

By Dylan Scott
Want to donate to charity? Here are 10 guidelines for giving effectively.Want to donate to charity? Here are 10 guidelines for giving effectively.
Future Perfect

How to do the most good possible with the money you give.

By Dylan Matthews and Sigal Samuel
Trump didn’t gut foreign aid last time. This time could be different.Trump didn’t gut foreign aid last time. This time could be different.
Trump 2.0, explained

What Trump’s return could mean for the global poor.

By Dylan Matthews
I give 10 percent of my income to charity. You should, too.I give 10 percent of my income to charity. You should, too.
Future Perfect

Regular giving, even in small amounts, can save lives.

By Dylan Matthews
I don’t have much money. Is it okay if I don’t give to charity?
Future Perfect

I want to make the world better, but donating feels out of reach.

By Sigal Samuel
I saw the Hurricane Helene response up close. This is how disaster relief actually works.
Future Perfect

Volunteers, not FEMA, are the bedrock of disaster response. How do we best support them?

By Jess Craig
America's fractured trust in science, explained in 3 chartsAmerica's fractured trust in science, explained in 3 charts
Future Perfect

Science should be bipartisan. Why is our confidence split down party lines?

By Celia Ford
Most “humane” farms are lying to you — and the government isn’t stopping themMost “humane” farms are lying to you — and the government isn’t stopping them
Future Perfect

A new investigation finds false advertising continues to dupe consumers.

By Kenny Torrella
The most dangerous roads in America have one thing in common
Future Perfect

We can fix our staggering car fatality crisis. Start with these roads.

By David Zipper
The system failed us. We’ll still miss it when it’s gone.The system failed us. We’ll still miss it when it’s gone.
Future Perfect

America voted for chaos — but we don’t know what real chaos is. Yet.

By Bryan Walsh
In times of defeat, turn toward each otherIn times of defeat, turn toward each other
Future Perfect

If you care about the world, find your community. It isn’t always easy — but it’s worth it.

By Sam Delgado
43 lab monkeys escaped in South Carolina. They have a legal claim to freedom.
Future Perfect

Who owns the escaped monkeys now? It’s more complicated than you might think.

By Angela Fernandez and Justin Marceau
AI is powerful, dangerous, and controversial. What will Donald Trump do with it?AI is powerful, dangerous, and controversial. What will Donald Trump do with it?
Trump 2.0, explained

Why the future of artificial intelligence shouldn’t become a partisan issue.

By Kelsey Piper
How to live under rising authoritarianism, according to a philosopher who did it bravelyHow to live under rising authoritarianism, according to a philosopher who did it bravely
2024 Elections

Feeling despair after Trump’s election victory? Viktor Frankl can help.

By Sigal Samuel
One big, unexpected loser this electionOne big, unexpected loser this election
2024 Elections

How a second Trump term could take a wrecking ball to animal welfare.

By Kenny Torrella
Can ranking candidates fix elections?Can ranking candidates fix elections?
Future Perfect

The limitations of ranked-choice voting.

By Dylan Matthews
What happens if another pandemic strikes while Trump is president?What happens if another pandemic strikes while Trump is president?
Trump 2.0, explained

Donald Trump undermined public health measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. What would he do in a future health emergency?

By Dylan Scott
The world’s most mysterious psychedelic is already inside your brain
The HighlightMember Exclusive

DMT, “the nuclear bomb of the psychedelic family,” explained.

By Oshan Jarow
What in the world is pink cocaine?
The HighlightMember Exclusive

It’s not cocaine, but it can be just about anything else — except a good idea.

By Celia Ford
I don’t want children. I do want children. What should I do?
Future Perfect

How can you know if you truly want to be a parent?

By Sigal Samuel
Starbucks won’t charge extra for plant-based milk. Other companies should follow.Starbucks won’t charge extra for plant-based milk. Other companies should follow.
Future Perfect

It’s a big deal for the climate — and for the coffee industry at large.

By Marina Bolotnikova and Kenny Torrella
How to get through election season without despairHow to get through election season without despair
Future Perfect

How to power through election stress and keep your eye on the big picture.

By Kelsey Piper
Inside OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar gambit to become a for-profit companyInside OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar gambit to become a for-profit company
Future Perfect

OpenAI’s transition isn’t what you think. The stakes are tens of billions of dollars — and the future of AI.

By Kelsey Piper
A special investigation reveals the places where farm animals endure “sadistic” abuseA special investigation reveals the places where farm animals endure “sadistic” abuse
Future Perfect

These marketplaces are the backbone of the meat industry, where cruelty to animals is the norm.

By Jessica Scott-Reid
The $2 billion election betting craze, explainedThe $2 billion election betting craze, explained
Future Perfect

Is it a problem that people are betting on Trump v. Harris?

By Dylan Matthews
Zika is still spreading. Why don’t we have a vaccine yet?Zika is still spreading. Why don’t we have a vaccine yet?
Future Perfect

Preventing the disease can improve the quality of life for thousands.

By Jess Craig