Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pacing
- Moderate
- Mood
- Nostalgic, Reflective, Romantic, Lighthearted
- Read it if
- You enjoy nostalgic 90s settings, 'what if' scenarios involving time-traveling tech, and stories about first love and the consequences of choices.
- Skip it if
- You dislike love triangles, teenage drama, or plots where characters make questionable decisions based on future knowledge.
The Future of Us Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
A Mysterious AOL CD and a Glimpse into the Future
It's 1996, and the long friendship between next-door neighbors Josh and Emma is tense after something happened last November. Josh's mom gets a free AOL CD and insists he take it to Emma's house so she can install it on her new computer. They reluctantly start the installation. Once connected, they are surprised to find themselves logged into a website called 'Facebook,' which they've never heard of. Even more surprising, the profiles are their own, but fifteen years in the future. They see future photos, relationship statuses, and posts, quickly realizing they've found something extraordinary and potentially life-changing.
Initial Reactions and Future Shock
Emma is at first excited to see her future self, but her excitement quickly turns to dismay when she finds her future self is engaged to a man named Michael. This is a shock because she doesn't know anyone named Michael, and more importantly, her future self does not appear to be with Josh. Josh, on the other hand, is disappointed to find his future self still living with his parents and seemingly single, with no impressive career. The clear difference in their future lives, as shown by Facebook, creates immediate tension and confusion between them, making them confront their current feelings and hopes.
Experimenting with the Future
Curious and wanting to change bad future outcomes, Josh and Emma start experimenting. They realize that by making different choices now, even small ones, and then refreshing their future Facebook pages, they can see immediate changes. For example, when Emma decides to be kinder to a classmate she usually ignores, her future self's wall reflects a new, positive interaction. This discovery is both thrilling and frightening, as it gives them great power but also places a heavy responsibility on their current actions, making every decision feel huge.
Emma's Pursuit of Michael
Determined to understand her future engagement, Emma becomes set on finding Michael in the present. She uses school yearbooks and local directories to track him down. She eventually finds him and starts subtly inserting herself into his life, trying to build a connection. She does this to ensure her future happiness and to understand why she ends up with him, rather than Josh. This pursuit creates friction with Josh, who feels increasingly left out and jealous as Emma focuses on this stranger.
Josh's Attempts to Impress and Change
Motivated by his bleak future Facebook profile, Josh decides to act. He starts trying to impress a popular girl, Sydney, hoping a successful relationship with her will lead to a better future. He also starts thinking more seriously about his career, looking for ways to avoid his future self's seemingly aimless life. His efforts are often clumsy and driven by a desire to prove himself, both to Emma and to his future self. These attempts often lead to humorous or awkward situations, but also show his underlying insecurities and desire for a meaningful future.
The Shifting Landscape of Relationships
As Josh and Emma continue to manipulate their present choices, their future Facebook profiles constantly change. Emma's relationship status with Michael fluctuates, and Josh's posts reflect varying degrees of success or failure with Sydney. Importantly, their future friendship with each other also changes, sometimes appearing strong, other times strained or nonexistent. This constant change creates anxiety and makes them consider the far-reaching consequences of even seemingly minor decisions, showing how interconnected their lives and choices truly are.
Conflict and Misunderstandings
The pressure of knowing their potential futures and wanting to control them begins to affect Josh and Emma's friendship. They argue often about the best course of action, who is making the right choices, and whose future is more important. Emma's focus on Michael makes Josh feel neglected and undervalued, while Josh's clumsy attempts to impress Sydney and change his own future frustrate Emma. Their once strong bond is tested, revealing underlying feelings and insecurities that neither of them had fully acknowledged before.
The Weight of Responsibility
As they continue to experiment, Josh and Emma begin to grasp the ethical implications of their power. They realize that changing their own futures can unintentionally affect the lives of others, sometimes negatively. They see friends' future statuses change, sometimes for the worse, because of their actions. This realization weighs heavily on them, making them question whether they have the right to meddle with fate and if the potential benefits outweigh the risks of unintended consequences. The responsibility becomes a significant burden.
Discovering Unseen Connections
Through continued refreshes, Josh and Emma start to notice subtle connections between their future profiles that they initially missed. They see how a decision made by one of them impacts the other's life in unexpected ways. For instance, a future post from Emma might reference an event that only makes sense in the context of Josh's future, and vice versa. This revelation shows the depth of their intertwined destinies and makes them question whether they truly want separate futures, or if their happiness is linked.
The Truth About Michael and the Dance
Emma eventually realizes that her future engagement to Michael might not be as perfect as it seemed. She learns more about his personality and discovers that the future she's been striving for might not be what she truly wants. At the same time, the school dance approaches, a big social event where both Josh and Emma's actions could have major effects on their future Facebook profiles. The dance becomes a moment where they must make important decisions about their current relationships and their true feelings for each other.
A Moment of Clarity and Confession
After navigating the complexities of the dance and the continuous revelations from their future Facebook, Josh and Emma reach a breaking point. They have a heartfelt conversation where they finally admit their true feelings for each other, acknowledging the romantic tension that has always existed between them. They realize that their obsession with their future profiles has distracted them from what truly matters in the present and the genuine connection they share. This confession marks a turning point in their relationship and their understanding of the future.
Embracing the Present and an Uncertain Future
Having confronted their feelings and the overwhelming pressure of the future Facebook, Josh and Emma decide to stop obsessing over it. They realize that constantly checking and trying to manipulate their future prevents them from truly living and experiencing their present. They choose to embrace the uncertainty of life, understanding that genuine happiness comes from making choices now, based on their true desires, rather than trying to engineer a predetermined outcome. They decide to face the future together, whatever it may hold, by focusing on their present relationship.
Principal Figures
Emma
Protagonist
Josh's best friend, driven by a desire for a clear and happy future.
Emma is intelligent, ambitious, and initially very focused on achieving what she perceives as a perfect future. She is pragmatic and analytical, often taking the lead in their experiments with Facebook. Her initial excitement about seeing her future quickly turns into an obsession with controlling it, particularly when she discovers her engagement to Michael. She is deeply loyal to Josh but struggles to reconcile her future vision with her current feelings and the complexities of their friendship. She cares deeply about her relationships and her sense of self-worth.
Relationships: Josh (Best friend, later romantic interest, complex and strained by future revelations); Michael (Future fiancé, initially a driving force for Emma's actions, later revealed to be less ideal than imagined); Sydney (Classmate, indirect rival for Josh's attention)
Josh
Protagonist
Emma's best friend, insecure about his future and secretly in love with her.
Josh is more laid-back and less outwardly ambitious than Emma, often feeling overshadowed by her drive. He is secretly in love with Emma, a fact that complicates their friendship and his reactions to their future Facebook profiles. He is initially disheartened by his future self's lack of direction and tries to change it by pursuing a popular girl, Sydney. He is generally well-meaning but can be clumsy and insecure, struggling with jealousy and the fear of losing Emma. He values their friendship deeply and is often the one to question the ethics of their future-meddling.
Relationships: Emma (Best friend, later romantic interest, complex and strained by future revelations); Sydney (Crush, a means to an end to alter his future status); His Parents (Supportive but also a source of his insecurity about his future living situation)
Michael
Supporting
Emma's future fiancé, a figure of initial fascination and later disappointment.
Michael is the mysterious man Emma is engaged to in her future Facebook profile. He represents Emma's initial vision of a successful and stable future. As Emma actively seeks him out in the present, he is portrayed as charming and seemingly perfect, fitting the image of the ideal future husband. However, as Emma gets to know him better and sees more of his future, she begins to realize that he might not be the right person for her, and that their relationship might not be as fulfilling as it initially appeared. He serves as a catalyst for Emma to re-evaluate her desires.
Relationships: Emma (Future fiancé, subject of Emma's present pursuit)
Sydney
Supporting
A popular girl whom Josh pursues to improve his future.
Sydney is a popular and seemingly confident girl in their school. Josh pursues her primarily because his future Facebook profile suggests he needs to make more impressive connections and have a more 'successful' dating life. She is generally friendly but somewhat superficial, and her interactions with Josh are often driven by his attempts to impress her rather than a genuine connection. She serves as a foil to Emma and a temporary distraction for Josh, highlighting his insecurities and his misguided attempts to change his future through external validation.
Relationships: Josh (Brief crush/dating interest for Josh); Emma (Acquaintance, perceived rival)
Emma's Mom
Supporting
A minor character who provides the new computer for Emma.
Emma's Mom is a background character who provides the catalyst for the plot by purchasing Emma a new computer, which then necessitates the installation of the AOL CD. She is generally supportive of Emma but is not privy to the supernatural events unfolding. Her role is primarily functional, setting the stage for the discovery of future Facebook, and she does not undergo significant development.
Relationships: Emma (Mother-daughter relationship)
Josh's Mom
Supporting
A minor character who insists Josh share the AOL CD.
Josh's Mom is another background character, similar to Emma's Mom, who inadvertently sets the main plot in motion. She receives the free AOL CD and insists that Josh take it to Emma's house for installation, thereby leading to their discovery of Facebook. She is portrayed as a typical mother, concerned with neighborly kindness, but is unaware of the profound impact of her simple request. Her role is purely catalytic.
Relationships: Josh (Mother-son relationship)
Themes & Insights
The Allure and Danger of Knowing the Future
The main theme explores the double-edged sword of foresight. Initially, Josh and Emma are excited by knowing their future, believing it will help them avoid mistakes and find happiness. However, this knowledge quickly becomes a burden, leading to obsession, anxiety, and constant questioning of their present choices. Their attempts to manipulate their futures often lead to unintended consequences, showing the danger in trying to control what is meant to unfold naturally. This is clear in Emma's frantic pursuit of Michael and Josh's desperate attempts to impress Sydney, both driven by their future profiles, often at the expense of their present happiness and friendship.
“The future was a moving target, and we were chasing it blindfolded, trying to hit it with a slingshot made of our present decisions.”
The Importance of Living in the Present
As Josh and Emma become more consumed by their future Facebook pages, they start to neglect their current lives, relationships, and genuine feelings. They learn that true happiness and growth come from making authentic choices now, rather than constantly trying to create a specific outcome. Their journey ends with the realization that obsessing over the future stops them from experiencing the richness and spontaneity of the present. This theme is powerfully shown when they decide to stop checking Facebook, choosing instead to focus on their real-world connection and allowing their future to unfold naturally.
“Maybe the best way to get to a good future was to just live a good present.”
The Nature of Free Will vs. Destiny
The book constantly deals with the question of whether our lives are predetermined or if our choices truly shape our destiny. The future Facebook initially suggests some predestination, but the ability to change the profiles through present actions implies free will. This creates an internal conflict for the characters, as they struggle to understand how much control they truly have. The constant change of their future profiles illustrates the delicate balance between fate and choice, ultimately suggesting that while certain tendencies might exist, our active decisions play a crucial role in forming our paths.
“Every refresh was a reset, a chance to prove that we were the authors of our own stories, not just readers.”
The Complexity of Friendship and Love
At its core, the novel is a story about Josh and Emma's changing relationship. Their long-standing best friendship is tested and changed by what their future reveals. The future Facebook makes them confront their unspoken romantic feelings, their jealousies, and their insecurities. Their journey shows how deeply intertwined their lives are and how difficult it can be to navigate the line between platonic affection and romantic love, especially when external pressures and visions of the future are introduced. Their ultimate decision to prioritize their genuine connection, regardless of what Facebook shows, highlights the lasting power of their bond.
“It wasn't about who we were going to be, but who we were right now, together.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Future Facebook
A supernatural social media platform that shows users their lives 15 years in the future.
This is the central plot device. Discovered on an AOL CD in 1996, it allows Josh and Emma to see their future selves' profiles. Its key function is its ability to update and reflect changes based on their present-day decisions. It serves as both a source of information and temptation, driving the plot, creating conflict, and forcing the characters to confront their desires, fears, and the consequences of their actions. It's a magical realism element that grounds the fantastical premise in a relatable, albeit anachronistic, technological format.
The AOL CD
The seemingly mundane object that provides access to the future.
The AOL CD acts as the catalyst for the entire story. It's a mundane, period-specific object (1996) that unexpectedly serves as the portal to the fantastical future Facebook. Its ordinary nature makes the discovery even more surprising and helps to ground the supernatural element within a familiar, nostalgic setting. It's the 'magic lamp' of the story, a seemingly innocuous item that unlocks extraordinary power and profound challenges for the protagonists.
The 'Refresh' Button
The mechanism by which present actions are reflected in the future.
The refresh button on the future Facebook page is the interactive element that links present choices to future outcomes. It's the tangible representation of cause and effect, allowing Josh and Emma to immediately see the repercussions of their decisions. This device creates a sense of urgency and direct responsibility, making their experiments with the future feel like a real-time game with high stakes. It's crucial for demonstrating the theme of free will versus destiny.
The 1996 Setting
The specific historical context that highlights the anachronism of Facebook.
Setting the story in 1996, before the widespread internet and social media, is a crucial plot device. It emphasizes the extraordinary nature of discovering Facebook, making it feel truly out of time and therefore magical. This setting also creates a stark contrast between the characters' innocent, pre-digital lives and the overwhelming, information-rich future they glimpse. It adds a layer of nostalgia and highlights how much the digital world would change human connection and personal identity.
The Future of Us Quotes
“It was the first time I realized that love was a two-way street, and that sometimes, you had to be willing to give a little to get a little.”
“The future isn't something that just happens. It's something you make.”
“Sometimes, the smallest decisions can have the biggest consequences.”
“You can't live your life looking at someone else's. You have to live your own.”
“Maybe knowing too much about the future isn't such a good thing.”
“The past is gone, the future is unwritten. All you have is now.”
“True love isn't about finding someone perfect, it's about finding someone who's perfectly imperfect for you.”
“Every choice you make sends ripples into the future.”
“You can't predict happiness. You have to create it.”
“Sometimes you have to break things to make them better.”
“It’s not about what you see, it’s about what you do with what you see.”
“Friendship is just as important as love, sometimes even more so.”
“The scariest thing isn't not knowing the future, it's knowing it and being powerless to change it.”
“Even if you could see everything, you'd still have to live through it.”
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
In what year does the main story of 'The Future of Us' take place?
- 2011
- 1996
- 2000
- 1999
Show answer
B. 1996 The story explicitly states that it is 1996 when Josh and Emma discover their future Facebook pages.
Question 2
What gift does Josh's family receive that leads to Josh and Emma discovering future Facebook?
- A new computer
- A free AOL CD
- An internet modem
- A floppy disk with a game
Show answer
B. A free AOL CD Josh's family receives a free AOL CD, which his mom makes him take to Emma to install on her new computer.
Question 3
What is the primary way Josh and Emma learn how their present-day decisions affect their future?
- They receive messages from their future selves.
- They consult a magical oracle.
- They refresh their future Facebook pages.
- They have prophetic dreams.
Show answer
C. They refresh their future Facebook pages. By refreshing their future Facebook pages, they observe changes in their future lives based on their current actions.
Question 4
What event caused the initial strain and 'weirdness' in Josh and Emma's friendship before the Facebook discovery?
- Josh moved to a different school.
- Emma started dating someone else.
- Josh did something 'that changed everything' last November.
- They had a major argument over a trivial matter.
Show answer
C. Josh did something 'that changed everything' last November. The book states that 'Josh did something that changed everything' last November, creating tension between them.
Question 5
What specific social media platform do Josh and Emma access from the future?
- MySpace
Show answer
C. Facebook They are automatically logged onto their Facebook pages, despite the platform not existing in 1996.
Question 6
What is a major theme explored through Josh and Emma's ability to see their future Facebook pages?
- The dangers of technological addiction.
- The inevitability of fate.
- The impact of present choices on future outcomes.
- The importance of ignoring the past.
Show answer
C. The impact of present choices on future outcomes. The core premise is that their present decisions directly affect 'the ups and downs of what their futures hold'.
Question 7
Approximately how many years into the future do Josh and Emma see their Facebook profiles?
- 5 years
- 10 years
- 15 years
- 20 years
Show answer
C. 15 years The description states they are looking at themselves 'fifteen years in the future' from 1996, which would be 2011.
Question 8
What is the primary internal conflict for Josh and Emma as they navigate their future Facebook pages?
- Whether to tell their parents about the time-traveling Facebook.
- How to use the information to become rich and famous.
- Balancing the desire to control their future with living authentically in the present.
- Deciding which future timeline is the 'best' one to pursue.
Show answer
C. Balancing the desire to control their future with living authentically in the present. They grapple with how their present actions influence their future, forcing them to confront their current decisions, implying a struggle between manipulation and authenticity.
Question 9
What is unique about the version of Facebook Josh and Emma access compared to how Facebook actually launched?
- It requires a paid subscription.
- It's accessible in 1996, long before its actual invention.
- It's a private network only for their neighborhood.
- It only shows positive future events.
Show answer
B. It's accessible in 1996, long before its actual invention. The core fantastical element is that they access Facebook in 1996, despite Facebook not being invented until 2004.
Question 10
What genre elements are most prominent in 'The Future of Us' based on the description?
- Historical Fiction and Mystery
- Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult, and Romance
- Dystopian and Thriller
- Contemporary Drama and Comedy
Show answer
B. Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult, and Romance The provided genre tags for the book are 'Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance', which accurately describes the mix of time-travel, coming-of-age, and relationship focus.
The Future of Us FAQ
What is the central premise of 'The Future of Us'?
The central premise revolves around Emma and Josh, two estranged best friends in 1996, who discover a mysterious Facebook-like website on Emma's new computer. This website shows them their lives fifteen years in the future, revealing the impact of their present-day choices on their future selves.
How do Emma and Josh primarily interact with their future selves?
Emma and Josh primarily interact with their future selves by refreshing their Facebook pages. Each refresh reveals a new potential future, directly influenced by the decisions they make in their present 1996 lives, allowing them to experiment with different outcomes.
What significant event caused the rift between Emma and Josh before the story begins?
The significant event that caused the rift between Emma and Josh was something Josh did last November. While the exact details are initially vague, it's implied to be a romantic gesture or confession that Emma wasn't ready for, making their friendship awkward.
What is the initial reaction of Emma and Josh to seeing their future Facebook profiles?
Emma is initially thrilled to see her future self married to a seemingly perfect man named Peter, while Josh is more skeptical and concerned, especially when he sees his future is less stable. Their reactions highlight their differing perspectives on life and their current relationship.
How does Emma's relationship with her future husband, Peter, evolve throughout the book?
Emma initially idealizes Peter, seeing him as her perfect future husband. However, as she learns more about their future and sees other possibilities, she starts to question if Peter is truly the right person for her, especially when her present-day feelings for Josh resurface.
What is the significance of the AOL CD in the story?
The AOL CD is the catalyst for the entire plot. It's a freebie that Josh's mom insists he brings to Emma, leading to the installation on Emma's new computer. Without this seemingly ordinary object, they would never have accessed the futuristic Facebook.
Are there any other characters besides Emma and Josh who learn about the future Facebook?
Yes, Emma eventually confides in her friend, Chloe, about the future Facebook. Chloe's involvement adds another layer of complexity as she tries to use the future knowledge to her own advantage, leading to unforeseen consequences.
Does the book offer an explanation for how the future Facebook exists or who created it?
The book deliberately leaves the origins of the future Facebook unexplained. It functions as a mysterious, magical realism element, allowing the focus to remain on Emma and Josh's reactions and choices rather than the mechanics of its existence.
How do Emma and Josh's initial desires for their future differ?
Emma initially desires a conventional, stable future with a loving husband and a clear career path, often influenced by societal expectations. Josh, on the other hand, struggles with finding his direction and is more focused on personal happiness and authenticity, even if it means a less conventional life.
How does the pressure of seeing their futures affect Emma's decision-making in the present?
The pressure of seeing her futures makes Emma overly cautious and anxious. She becomes obsessed with making 'perfect' choices, often overthinking simple interactions and sometimes manipulating situations to align with a desired future, which ironically leads to more complications.
What psychological impact does the constantly changing future have on Josh?
The constantly changing future initially causes Josh significant anxiety and confusion, as his life appears unstable and he struggles to find a path that feels right. However, it also pushes him to confront his true desires and take ownership of his present choices, leading to self-discovery.
In what ways do Emma and Josh demonstrate personal growth by the end of the novel?
By the end, Emma learns to trust her instincts and make choices based on her genuine feelings, rather than trying to engineer a specific outcome. Josh learns to embrace uncertainty, pursue his passions, and communicate his feelings more openly, especially regarding Emma.
What is the book's message about free will versus destiny?
The book strongly suggests that free will triumphs over destiny. While they see potential futures, their actions in the present constantly alter those outcomes, emphasizing that individuals have the power to shape their own lives through their choices and intentions.
Does the ending provide a definitive answer to Emma and Josh's romantic future?
The ending provides a hopeful, but not entirely definitive, answer to their romantic future. It suggests that they are on a path towards reconciliation and potentially a romantic relationship, but leaves room for the reader to imagine their journey, reinforcing the idea that their future is still being written by their present choices.
How does the setting of 1996 enhance the story's themes?
The 1996 setting, before the ubiquity of the internet and social media, makes the discovery of Facebook even more jarring and impactful. It highlights a lost innocence and contrasts sharply with the invasive nature of future technology, emphasizing the power and potential pitfalls of knowing too much.
What is the ultimate lesson Emma and Josh learn about living in the present?
The ultimate lesson they learn is the importance of living authentically in the present moment, making choices based on their true feelings and values rather than being paralyzed or dictated by potential future outcomes. They realize that happiness comes from within and from genuine connections, not from a predetermined path.
About the author
Jay Asher is an American author known for his work in young adult fiction. He is best recognized for his novel "Thirteen Reasons Why," which explores themes of mental health and suicide. In addition to this, he co-authored "The Future of Us," a story that intertwines the lives of two teenagers with the advent of social media.
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