Control
Control is the central theme in The Future. The antagonists of the novel, who are either wealthy corporations or wealthy individuals, are portrayed as hyper-fixated on control. For example, Martha Einkorn (the novel's main character and protagonist) goes to work for a high-powered social media mogul in Oregon. That mogul wants to have his hand in everything in the world; he wants to know everything about everyone, and he wants to use that information to control the world. This lust for control speaks to their evil heart and shows why the Earth is falling apart. Because of their desire for control and to proliferate additional money, these wealthy people and corporations have destroyed the world, killing scores of innocent citizens and forcing many to flee to bunkers. The novel makes the argument that people who are obsessed with control often cause terrible things to occur to innocent people.
Technology's double-edged sword
Lai Zhen (the novel's other main character and protagonist) is ultimately able to escape from a difficult situation with the help of a mysterious software application on her phone. While this software helps her in a moment of need, the uncertainty about its origin and intentions reflects a broader concern: while technology helped her escape with her life, it has unforeseen consequences and could potentially result in her losing her freedom. This becomes more evident when the technology that promises to help individuals, as many of the rich people say throughout the novel, helps to bring about the potential end of civilization.
