Berlin futures

I am elated to be writing to you from the mysterious city of Berlin, where I am reuniting with an old friend and exploring the best of the city. My weekend trip also happens to coincide with the renowned Berlin Festival of Lights. With this year's theme being “Vision of our future,” I can't help but wonder, what will our future look like?

Berlin is a city enriched with deep history. Since the fall of the Wall that divided East and West Germany in 1989, the historical Brandenburg Gate has become a symbol of reunification. On the night that I arrived, the 18th-century monument was illuminated with colorful projections reflecting Berlin's artistic vision for the future. Vibrant streams of color danced across the neoclassical structure, juxtaposing old and new, tradition and innovation. Technology and green energy were among the themes conveyed, but also peace. Especially fitting as this year's Brandenburg's display was designed in collaboration with Ukraine, and I'm told that Germany welcomed many Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. In this way, the dazzling aurora at Brandenburg Gate is not only a symbol of art and entertainment but also a bold gesture of community.

During my stay, I also had the opportunity to visit the Zeiss Major Planetarium, which was nothing short of spectacular. Lying under a domed ceiling and gazing out yonder at the stars in the night sky is such an exhilarating experience. Gazing outward at this gravitationally-bound system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter, also known as our galaxy. It makes me think, what an honor to simply have been here. To have felt if only briefly the depth of this cosmos.

The curious mind is satisfied by a trip to Berlin's House of Futures, commonly known as The Futurium. It really is a must-see if you're curious about speculative technology and designing the art of the possible. It covers everything from the wonder material, Graphene's capability to ascend us into orbit via space elevators, to the 10 trillion joules of energy necessary to break down human tissue and reassemble it somewhere else, otherwise known as teleportation. Magic dances in this space. As you leave the exhibition via the solar-powered sky terrace, a crisp shot of sunlight forces your eyes open. Imprinted on the glass reads:"Was Siehst Du Jetzt, Was Du Vorher Nicht Gesehen Hast". What do you see now. That you didn't see before?

Berlin, you have opened my eyes to say the least.