...a term often used to describe the times to come beyond the present.
Yet, we might not realize how the future can also be a powerful tool to help us plan, prepare, and adapt to changes now.
Futures thinking encourages us to imagine what’s possible so we might create a new story around what the future could be.
Before viewing the video, fill out this chart, and use it as an opportunity to reflect on how you think and feel about the future. Be honest with your answers, since they will not be shared with the class unless you choose to do so.
In this first video from the show A Brief History of the Future, futurist Ari Wallach describes why he sought to meet changemakers and optimists who are guiding their communities towards a more hopeful future. After you have viewed this video, take a moment to reflect: Do you feel differently about any of your responses above?
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And as we feel pushed forward into the future, thinking actively about possible futures can help us use our agency to imagine and guide where we're going.
In the same way you might create a goal for yourself to achieve a desired outcome–for your own personal future–we can use this type of thinking to work towards desired futures on a larger scale.