Shares of companies involved in the development of de-extinction technologies rose significantly in 2025, with investors betting on the potential of bringing back extinct species. According to data from Future Perfect, the most-read story of the year was "De-extinction, drinking, and a whole new thing that could end the world," which highlighted the growing interest in reviving extinct species, including the woolly mammoth and the passenger pigeon.

The article noted that the de-extinction industry is expected to reach $1 billion in revenue by 2030, with companies like Colossal Biosciences and Revive & Restore leading the charge. "We're not just talking about bringing back a species, we're talking about restoring an ecosystem," said George Church, a geneticist at Harvard University and a key figure in the de-extinction movement. "It's a game-changer for conservation and for our understanding of the natural world."

In addition to de-extinction, Future Perfect's readers were also interested in stories about the impact of technology on our daily lives. The second most-read story of the year was "The dark side of the world's most popular drink," which explored the environmental and social costs of the global coffee industry. "Coffee is a symbol of modernity and progress, but it's also a symbol of inequality and exploitation," said Dr. Emma Marris, a conservation biologist at the University of California, Berkeley.

The article highlighted the fact that the global coffee industry is worth over $80 billion, but the majority of coffee farmers earn less than $2 per day. "We need to rethink our relationship with coffee and with the natural world," said Dr. Marris. "We need to find a way to make coffee production sustainable and equitable."

The third most-read story of the year was "The CRISPR revolution: How gene editing is changing the world," which examined the potential and risks of gene editing technology. "CRISPR is a powerful tool that can be used for good or for ill," said Dr. Jennifer Doudna, a biochemist at the University of California, Berkeley and a pioneer in the field of CRISPR research. "We need to be careful and responsible in our use of this technology."

The article noted that CRISPR has the potential to cure genetic diseases, improve crop yields, and even bring back extinct species. However, it also raises concerns about the ethics of gene editing and the potential for unintended consequences.

Future Perfect's readers were also interested in stories about the impact of technology on our minds and bodies. The fifth most-read story of the year was "The science of happiness: What makes us truly happy?" which explored the latest research on happiness and well-being. "Happiness is not just a feeling, it's a choice," said Dr. Dan McAdams, a psychologist at Northwestern University. "We need to focus on building positive relationships and finding meaning in our lives."

The article highlighted the fact that the global happiness industry is worth over $10 billion, but many people are struggling to find true happiness in their lives. "We need to rethink our priorities and focus on what really matters," said Dr. McAdams.

In addition to these stories, Future Perfect's readers were also interested in stories about the growing power of the tech industry and the risks that come with it. The seventh most-read story of the year was "The tech industry's dirty secret: How Silicon Valley is driving inequality," which examined the impact of the tech industry on the economy and society.

The article noted that the tech industry is worth over $5 trillion, but many people are struggling to make ends meet in the face of rising inequality. "We need to be careful about the impact of technology on our society," said Dr. Shoshana Zuboff, a sociologist at Harvard University. "We need to make sure that technology is serving the public interest, not just the interests of corporations."

The eighth most-read story of the year was "The future of work: How automation is changing the job market," which explored the impact of automation on the job market. "Automation is a game-changer for the economy, but it also raises concerns about job loss and inequality," said Dr. Andrew Ng, a computer scientist at Stanford University.

The article noted that automation is expected to displace over 30% of jobs in the next decade, but many people are struggling to adapt to the changing job market. "We need to be proactive about retraining and upskilling workers," said Dr. Ng.

The ninth most-read story of the year was "The climate crisis: How technology can help us solve it," which examined the potential of technology to help solve the climate crisis. "Technology is a key part of the solution to the climate crisis," said Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist at Texas Tech University. "We need to use technology to reduce our carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy."

The article highlighted the fact that the global climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time, but many people are struggling to understand the science behind it. "We need to be clear and transparent about the science of climate change," said Dr. Hayhoe.

The tenth most-read story of the year was "The future of space exploration: How private companies are changing the game," which explored the impact of private companies on space exploration. "Private companies are driving innovation in space exploration," said Dr. Robert Zubrin, a space engineer at the Mars Society. "We need to be supportive of private companies and their efforts to explore space."

The article noted that private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are leading the charge in space exploration, but many people are struggling to understand the implications of this new era of space travel. "We need to be careful about the impact of private companies on space exploration," said Dr. Zubrin.

In conclusion, Future Perfect's most-read stories of the year reflect a growing interest in the impact of technology on our daily lives and the world around us. From de-extinction to gene editing, happiness to inequality, and climate change to space exploration, these stories highlight the complexities and challenges of living in a rapidly changing world.