Newspaper from the future

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A newspaper from the future is a plot device encountered in various science fiction/fantasy stories. An early example of this device can be found in the H.G. Wells 1931 short story, "The Queer Story of Brownlow's Newspaper," which tells the tale of a man who receives such a paper from 40 years in the future. More recently, the television series Early Edition revolved around a character who daily received the next day's newspaper, and sought to change some event therein forecast to happen. The second Back to the Future movie used a similar device, having the antagonist prosper after receiving a booklet of sports trivia from the future based upon which he could place bets.

The newspaper from the future, like any communication from the future, raises questions about time travel and the ability of mortal men to control their destiny. If the recipient is allowed to presume that the future is malleable, and if the future forecast affects them in some way, then this device serves as a convenient explanation of their motivations. Where such a device is used, the source of the future news is usually not explained, leaving it open to the reader/watcher to imagine that it might be technology, magic, an act of God, etc.