Arc, a new publication from the makers of New Scientist, explores the future through cutting-edge science fiction and forward-looking essays by some of the world’s most celebrated authors, alongside columns by thinkers and practitioners from the worlds of books, design, gaming, film and more. In this issue: THE OBJECT OF POSTERITY'S SCORN, by Bruce SterlingVisionaries, prophets and seers are common to all mankind. But only societies with science can breed futurists.A JOURNEY TO AMASIA, by Stephen Baxter"A plausible memory flow. They had made versions of her live and die over and over, until they were happy with the simulation."ALIEN EVASION, by China Miéville"The octopus understands that the point of invisibility is to fail. A just-glimpsed beast-shaped burr - now that catches the breath."BEARLIFT, by Margaret Atwood"Mountains are very large and high rocks. No, those are not mountains, those are buildings, way over there..."BREAKING THE FALL, by Paul Graham RavenA new breed of survivalist is preparing for the imminent collapse of Western civilisation.IN AUTOTELIA, by M. John Harrison"By the time we reach the main square, most of us are, if not exactly marching, then shambling in time to the music."SIR JOHN SCHORNE'S DEVIL, by Simon IngsThe shipping container has ushered in a more ordered world - but at what cost? WHAT HPAPNES FI IT ATCLLUY WROKS? by Sumit Paul-ChoudhuryIn Shane Carruth's time-travel film Primer, throwing out cause and effect still has consequences.TOPSIGHT, by Hannu Rajaniemi"The night before Kuovi was supoposed to fly home, the four of them went to bring back Bibi's soul."MAKING THE FUTURE, by Justin MullinsWhen one of the world's biggest technology firms wants to know what to build next, it turns to science fiction.THREE SURPRISING THEORIES ABOUT SCIENCE FICTION, by Adam RobertsTHREE WAYS TO PLAY THE FUTURE, by Leigh AlexanderTHREE SORTIES ON DREAMLAND, by Simon PummellTHE WATER THIEF, by Alastair Reynolds"The boy wants my eye again. I'm not sure why he covets it so badly."