Purpose Project

Welcome to Protopias, the new science-fiction anthology series from Futurific Studios (PBS’s A Brief History of the Future) and AWA that explores the many possible futures that can come to pass as we try to make the right choices in imperfect realities.

This imaginative odd couple workplace comedy pairs an unambitious stoner with a salty soon-to-be-retiree as part of a new government initiative dubbed “The Purpose Project.” Its goal: to help everyday citizens adjust to a world in which most jobs have been made obsolete and where people have an opportunity to find alternative sources of purpose beyond the traditional concepts of “work.”

THE PURPOSE PROJECT features a foreword by prominent Universal Basic Income advocate Andrew Yang — Andrew Yang is a former Democratic 2020 presidential and 2021 New York City mayoral candidate. Andrew founded the political party and action committee Forward Party in 2021, for which he serves as co-chair.

This one-shot is part of The Protopias Collection — Speculative fiction often fixates on dystopian futures, depicting societies plagued by suffering and injustice. Storytellers use these cautionary tales to highlight the consequences of today’s decisions. While we have mastered the art of imagining everything that could go wrong, we have lost sight of something equally vital: envisioning the paths where things go right. Until now.