The art of Foreseeing the Future

I have a theory that is entirely based on my intuition (and some empirical observations), so a disclaimer is necessary here.

Uncertainty is usually dreadful for humans. Not knowing and therefore not controlling a situation is something most of us try to avoid at all costs.

We have an inherent need to know what is coming next so we can prepare. How can we gain such an ability? We search for information, look at different sources, listen to various people, analyze statistics, study macro and microeconomics, read geopolitical reports, consult gurus, and even turn to astrology and mediums.

However, I believe there is another source of predicting the future that is often overlooked: art.

As a cinema enthusiast, I watch thousands of movies. I often notice that old movies about the future are referenced in today's context to explain something we are currently experiencing, like "Minority Report" and "Wall-E."

Not only movies fall into this category of "future tellers." Books like "1984" and "Brave New World," to name a few, are constant references in today’s world.

Here comes my intuition-based theory: this happens because artists speak a different language. An abstract, less rational one that probably connects them with the collective unconscious.

Artists are likely more successful in signaling future trends because they are open to feeling and grasping what lies beneath people's anxieties, desires, and wishes. They explore more, risk more, and use their senses and creativity. Therefore, they gather more inputs from the world around them. They tackle the unknown with curiosity.

On the other hand, for many of us, the unknown is fearful and often leads us to stick to the same path, with a fixed mindset about how and where we should look. As a result, we limit our ability to visualize the future.

This is not about mysticism; on the contrary, what artists do is very real. Just like coding, statistics, and graphics are different languages, artists use their emotional language to design what could be the next move in society and the world.

Regarding future trends, if I can bet on something based on what I see in movies, I would say we will face a dangerous increase in individualism.

Let me elaborate on that, at my own risk. For example, in recent years, we have been inundated with Marvel superhero blockbusters.

What do these movies have in common?

1. The war between good and evil, what mirrors our current global polarization.
2. Catastrophes (no explanation needed on that one).
3. Most notably, they feature superheroes who can master everything that we, mere mortals, cannot.

These heroes are gifted and powerful individuals who effortlessly solve the world's problems while being sophisticated, smart, and even funny. This is similar to how many people present themselves on Instagram, but superheroes bring an advantage, because we can’t compare to them, they don’t exist.

These films reflect our need to escape the constant feeling of inadequacy and vulnerability. Heroes are not vulnerable; they can save the world, while we struggle with feelings of tiredness in the face of a BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible) world we can't control.

Just like in the 1970s and 1980s, when Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris, and Charles Bronson were heroes avenging injustices, today's superheroes serve a similar purpose.

However, Marvel box offices have been flopping recently. What could be the trend behind this? Are people tired of being at war, exhausted from feeling helpless?

Based on my 51 years of life experience, I guess that, like a pendulum, we are likely to swing to the opposite side. We will get sick of suffering from helplessness and here comes the individualist part.

We will likely choose one of two paths: either we will isolate ourselves more, becoming less open to others and the outside world (watch "Wall-E" as a reference), leading our lives in a more self-fulfilling way, or we will finally realize that we need others to connect, to feel we belong and exist. If we are lucky enough to take the second route, there will be a HUGE effort required to reconnect. Especially for a society accustomed to instant gratification, where relationships, work, and commitments are fluid (mentioning another past author, philosopher, and sociologist, Bauman).

If you need help broadening your view and getting better at pinpointing future trends, start paying more attention to the arts, whatever form they take: painting, music, literature, movies.

I wish you all an incredible weekend filled with art in your life.