Imagine an Optimal Future Exercise



© Diane Perlman, PhD

This exercise is inspired by and adapted from an individual writing exercise designed by educator Rick Grier-Reynolds, who teaches at Wilmington Friends School.

This can be done individually or in small groups, a good cabin activity:
Imagine what the future could be like if things turn out as well as possible. Go around and describe in detail what your life could be like 30 years from now. Make sure your answers are realistic and possible - this is not a 
fantasy exercise. Try to work together as a group and come up with a description that you mostly agree upon.

Part 1: 
Describe your lifestyle.

What will you be living in, who will you be living with - meaning what will the social arrangements be?
What will you be driving in?
What will be your energy source(s)?
What will you be eating?
What will you be wearing?
What materials will be used?
What might your work situation be like?
What will you do for fun?
What might happen with art and music? the environment? technology? entertainment?
What will be the relationships between the sexes?
How might ideas of masculinity, femininity and sexuality be different?

Part 2:
 This part may require more imagination and thinking.

What will the world be like? What might be the nature of countries and governments?
Will the UN still exist, and if so how will t be different or will there be some other form of world government?
What will communication and transportation be like? Will there be a military, and if so, what would it look like?
Might there be some other kind of force to replace the military?
How will conflicts be handled?

Once you have described the best possible future you can imagine, describe how we got there.
What happened beginning in 2001 to lead up to these improvements?
What part did you play in it?