Inspired by New York Times bestselling author Neal Stephenson, an anthology of stories, set in the near future, from some of today’s leading writers, thinkers, and visionaries that reignites the iconic and optimistic visions of the golden age of science fiction.

In his 2011 article “Innovation Starvation,” Neal Stephenson argued that we—the society whose earlier scientists and engineers witnessed the airplane, the automobile, nuclear energy, the computer, and space exploration—must reignite our ambitions to think boldly and do Big Stuff. He also advanced the Hieroglyph Theory which illuminates the power of science fiction to inspire the inventive imagination: “Good SF supplies a plausible, fully thought-out picture of an alternate reality in which some sort of compelling innovation has taken place.”

In 2012, Arizona State University established the Center for Science and the Imagination to bring together writers, artists, and creative thinkers with scientists, engineers, and technologists to cultivate and expand on “moon shot ideas” that inspire the imagination and catalyze real-world innovations.

Now comes this remarkable anthology uniting twenty of today’s leading thinkers, writers, and visionaries—among them Cory Doctorow, Gregory Benford, Elizabeth Bear, Bruce Sterling, and Neal Stephenson—to contribute works of “techno-optimism” that challenge us to dream and do Big Stuff. Engaging, mind-bending, provocative, and imaginative, Hieroglyph offers a forward-thinking approach to the intersection of art and technology that has the power to change our world. 

Born of an initiative at the Center for Science and the Imagination at Arizona State University, this remarkable collection unites a diverse group of celebrated authors, prominent scientists, and creative visionaries who contributed works of "techno-optimism" that challenge us to imagine fully, think broadly, and do Big Stuff.

Inside this volume you will find a rich blend of science fiction stories, nonfiction essays, and illustrations. Engaging, mind-bending, provocative, and imaginative, Hieroglyph: Stories and Visions for a Better Future is a manifesto and a blueprint that sounds a clarion call to people everywhere to reclaim our future from grieving over what was and celebrate all that can be achieved.

Contributors include:

Charlie Jane Anders
Madeline Ashby
Elizabeth Bear
Gregory Benford
David Brin
James L. Cambias
Brenda Cooper
Paul Davies
Cory Doctorow
Kathleen Ann Goonan
Lee Konstantinou
Lawrence M. Krauss
Geoffrey A. Landis
Annalee Newitz
Rudy Rucker
Karl Schroeder
Vandana Singh
Neal Stephenson
Bruce Sterling

"This new anthology justly deserves to be ranked alongside the very best collections published within science fiction: Terry Carr's Universe, Damon Knight's Orbit, or Robert Silverberg's New Dimensions."