Is Fascination with the Future a Desire for Control?

Control is a complex and unacheivable notion. It means one can impose will, change reality. We know the only true law is that of cause and effect. We act and react continually. But control implies a tangible solid state that is constant because we say choose it to be so. Individuals are continually attempting to control themselves, their surroundings and environment. We are obsessed with control for example in the forms of weight management, monogamous relationships and personal property on a micro level.

Every rational decision we make should have a positive future outcome for us. Statistically we are more likely to fail at achieving perfection than to create the outcome desired. Planning ahead and being prepared are necessary. But what are the opportunity costs? How is it best to disperse ones energy? Our actions are governed by natural forces and we must maximize our efforts within the given parameters. We don’t want to make mistakes that come back to haunt us.

Knowledge can help us analyse and think logically about the differing potential futures. Although this can lead us to false certainties and make us overly confident when we don’t know all the facts. Open mindedness and flexibility in our ideas ensure we won’t be making false predictions. But this is not a natural human trait, we desire control. We see things from our own false perspective. Technological improvements and quantificational tools have been developed to improve our understanding of our surroundings to demystify misconceptions. They help us to see our place in the world so we can position ourselves in alignment with favorable futures.

When it comes down to it decisions are scary. People are afraid of potential futures. We agonize over decisions when we are making them, and sometimes after the fact. Thinking about what we could have or should have done. What was the true cost? Did we destroy our chance of future happiness through selfish decisions? Or have we formed a union that will ensure future prosperity?

The future can allow us to escape and fantasize about an improved world. Buildings are designed for future use and control or definition of space. Art is a reflection of a personal perspective of a captured moment. Futuristic novels open us to mind bending possibilities, like the idea of achieving travel “around the World in 80 days.” We can work hard to manifest our destiny. It provides the potential for mobility and a fresh perspective. It presents a forum to explore new ideas in unconstrained realities. Losing touch with this reality removes our ability to control the environment exposes us to a different perspective. There are so many ways to shape the future, although the thought of it could be fascinating and all consuming. It creates a perplexing reality not being able to see the future. Life is just a chance we take, bringing us closer to the future. We can’t stop it. But futurology can improve our odds at success and relieve our feelings of insecurity.