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1. George Orwell
In his legendary novel “1984,” George Orwell eerily foresaw the rise of mass surveillance and government overreach. Today, with revelations from whistleblowers like Edward Snowden and the ongoing debates about data privacy, Orwell’s vision looks less like fiction and more like a warning. In the United States, a 2024 Pew Research Center report found that 79% of Americans worry about how companies and the government use their data. Orwell’s portrayal of a society where “Big Brother” is always watching still sends chills down the spine, especially as facial recognition and AI-powered monitoring become more common in major U.S. cities. Those classic telescreens from Orwell’s world suddenly don’t seem so absurd.
2. Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” shocked readers with its depiction of a society that strips women of their rights. The themes of reproductive rights, state control, and religious extremism have echoed through recent debates about abortion laws and women’s autonomy in America. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 14 states have banned abortion outright since 2022, making Atwood’s warning about regressive social policies feel urgently relevant. Her story now feels like a mirror reflecting America’s ongoing tug-of-war over bodily autonomy.
3. Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” painted a world where books are burned, and independent thought is crushed. The story was once considered a far-fetched dystopia, but in 2024, the American Library Association reported a record number of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries—over 4,200 unique book challenges in just one year. Bradbury understood the danger of censorship and the suppression of ideas, predicting a future where critical thinking is under siege. His metaphorical firemen now feel uncomfortably real.
4. Octavia E. Butler
Octavia E. Butler’s “Parable of the Sower” imagines a United States unraveling from climate change, economic instability, and social collapse. Her protagonist navigates a country plagued by wildfires, water shortages, and the rise of authoritarianism. These issues aren’t just fiction—2023 was the hottest year on record in the U.S., and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported a surge in climate-related disasters. Butler’s foresight about American fragility in the face of environmental and social crises rings truer than ever.
5. Sinclair Lewis
Sinclair Lewis’s 1935 novel “It Can’t Happen Here” suggested that fascism could take root in America. Written during a time of global upheaval, Lewis’s story followed a populist demagogue who wins the presidency and erodes democracy from within. According to a 2024 survey from Freedom House, concerns about democratic backsliding in the U.S. are at their highest point in decades. Lewis’s work still resonates as Americans debate election integrity, authoritarian rhetoric, and the fragility of democratic norms.
6. Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” presented a society distracted by endless entertainment and numbed by pleasure. Today, the average American spends over 7 hours a day looking at screens, according to a 2024 Nielsen report. The constant barrage of social media, streaming, and influencer culture echoes Huxley’s warnings about losing ourselves in trivial distractions and consumerism. Huxley’s vision of a society pacified by comfort and technology feels eerily familiar to anyone scrolling through endless feeds.
7. Upton Sinclair
Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” didn’t just expose the horrors of the meatpacking industry in 1906—it also predicted the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights and food safety in America. In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a significant rise in workplace injuries in the food processing sector, especially among immigrant workers. Sinclair’s call for better conditions and regulation still echoes in debates about fair wages, unionization, and public health.
8. Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick’s science fiction often explored themes of reality distortion, government control, and the blurring line between human and machine. In 2025, as AI deepfakes, misinformation, and digital surveillance spread, Dick’s fears have become our reality. A recent MIT study found that 64% of Americans struggle to distinguish deepfakes from authentic videos, raising concerns about truth in the digital age. Dick’s work reminds us how quickly technology can outpace our ability to understand and control it.
9. Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison’s novels, especially “Beloved” and “The Bluest Eye,” delved into the enduring wounds of racism in America. In 2024, the Pew Research Center found that 61% of Americans believe race relations are getting worse. Morrison’s stories predicted how historical trauma and systemic inequality would continue to shape American society, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about prejudice and justice.
10. Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut’s satirical works like “Slaughterhouse-Five” and “Player Piano” poked fun at the absurdity of war, bureaucracy, and automation. His prediction that unchecked technological progress could lead to widespread job loss is now a serious concern. The World Economic Forum’s 2024 report estimated that up to 85 million jobs could be displaced by automation in the next few years. Vonnegut’s blend of humor and warning feels more like prophecy as robots and AI reshape the American workforce.
11. James Baldwin
James Baldwin’s essays and novels, such as “The Fire Next Time,” confronted America’s struggle with race, identity, and justice. In 2024, after renewed protests over police violence and debates about reparations, Baldwin’s voice remains urgent. The Washington Post database reported that police shootings of unarmed Black Americans, though declining, still outpace those of other groups. Baldwin anticipated the ongoing fight for civil rights and the need for genuine reckoning with the country’s past.
12. Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking book “Silent Spring” warned about the dangers of pesticides and environmental negligence. In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported an increase in pesticide-related illnesses and a spike in biodiversity loss. Carson’s activism sparked the modern environmental movement, but her warnings about ecological collapse and corporate irresponsibility are still echoed in today’s climate debates.
13. William Gibson
William Gibson, often credited with inventing the term “cyberspace,” imagined a future dominated by interconnected digital networks and vast corporate power in “Neuromancer.” As cybersecurity threats and massive data breaches become daily headlines, Gibson’s predictions about internet dependency and loss of privacy have become the norm. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report revealed a record $12 billion in cybercrime losses in the U.S., proving Gibson saw the digital storm coming.
14. Richard Wright
Richard Wright’s “Native Son” and other works spotlighted the crushing effects of poverty and racism on Black Americans. In 2024, Black households in the U.S. still have a median wealth less than 15% that of white households, according to the Federal Reserve. Wright predicted how systemic barriers would persist across generations, fueling inequality and sparking movements for justice and reform.
15. Don DeLillo
Don DeLillo’s novels like “White Noise” and “Underworld” explored the anxiety of modern life—fear of terrorism, environmental disaster, and information overload. In a world reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, economic shocks, and relentless news cycles, DeLillo’s depiction of everyday dread feels prophetic. The American Psychological Association’s 2024 survey showed that 72% of Americans report stress about the future of the country. DeLillo’s knack for capturing the nation’s unease has proven remarkably accurate.
End.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
