The future makes for an interesting topic of conversation. The Beijing Futurists Society has organized a night dedicated exclusively to discussing things in the future tense. CW's columnist drops in to see what's going on.

When the discussion turns to a Japanese plan to spend US$21 billion to launch an energy-generating apparatus into space, the conversation gets heated. “It will be able to generate enough energy to power a city of 750,000 people at current consumption levels for a year,” notes one member.

“That’s f%&kng bullsh#$t!” cries another.

One thing the Beijing Futurists Society doesn’t lack is a wealth of emphatic opinions.

As the debate intensifies, the topic shifts from radio waves to lasers to the viability of placing solar panels around the sun to gather energy for use on Earth, and the insults fly. But this friendly ribbing is par for the course at the group’s weekly meetings, where topics cover anything futuristic and the menu everything French.

Perhaps the greatest appeal of any discussion on the distant future is the ability to imagine, and hypothetically create, a more perfect world.

“I am a science fiction writer,” explained one member, Bridgette Coila, “so coming to these events gives me a great opportunity to think and talk about the issues that will come up in my writing.”

The Beijing Futurists Society was founded by a computer programmer who has since gone on to set up a new futurist salon in Singapore. “The one in Singapore has a different name. Something about advancement of technology,” said digital camera technician, Justin Mapes. “I think they thought the word ‘futurists’ might scare people away. We kind of like it, though.”

For Futurist members, the discussions also offer an improved present.

“Even for people who aren’t interested in the future, it’s a good way to meet people,” says Mapes. “It’s depressing to have a social scene based just around going out, drinking and partying. This is a nice change of pace.”

By Jonathan Haagen

What: Beijing Futurists Society
When: Wed, 7:30pm
Where: Le Petit Gourmand