Of the many types of interesting thinking, this article is about forward thinking and backward reasoning, about the future.

First of all, keep in mind that as humans, our understanding is limited. In particular, our view of the world is limited and biased. God might see all, but none of us do, even our leaders. In particular, many of our elected leaders were elected precisely because they see the world with limits similar to our own. While God has no fears, our leaders expressed fears and worries similar to our own.

Future forward reasoning

This begins with our understanding of the world of today, the world we live in. We look into the future and see changes we want. Then we take actions toward those changes.

A common example of this is solution-based-thinking. We look at a current problem, imagine a world without that problem, and design a solution, a way to achieve it.

Future backward reasoning

This isn’t just backward reasoning. In fact, that is a pretty common mistake, when used about the present. We want to assert “America is great” or “America is headed in the wrong direction.” So we think it and, given that view, find consistent reasoning. Future backward reasoning is different.

Imagine a future we desire. Imagine standing in that future, with all of its differences from the world today. Look back in time- how could we have gotten here? (Of course, there’s much more to being a futurist…)

This is what I did with PeopleCount. Imagine a future where politicians are accountable to people? Where are representatives truly represent us? What does it look like? How do we get there?

Future ass-backward reasoning

We figure the future will be mostly like it is today. We want something a bit different, but we fear a few things, and are cynical about improvements. We feel like we can’t commit to a particular future, but we’re willing to try hard to avoid the things we fear. So we imagine a future of the things we fear most and try to avoid them.

I did this with wealth. I wanted a more financially secure future. “More” means it was based on what I had today. So I was frugal and saved. I payed my bills on time. When my wife suggested expensive vacations and home improvements, I dragged my feet.

Future head-up-our-ass-backward thinking

We figure the future will be mostly like it is today. And we forget that, being human, we have a limited, biased view, one full of errors. In particular, we forget that our fears and worries are mostly due to our limited view.

I did some of this in the area of wealth, too. It was okay. It was a normal life. I kept busy avoiding expensive things I didn’t value. What I didn’t realize: I didn’t really value much about the life I had. I didn’t ask myself, “What would make life worth living?”

Notice your thinking

Think about: What’s going to happen next year for you? Will you have a job? What job? Will you be living with a partner, a friend, a spouse, a cell-mate? Who will that be?

What kind of thinking did you use to think about all that? Did you start with the future you wanted, or something mostly like today’s world? Were you concerned about avoiding certain dangers or failures?

Did you remember to take into consideration that your view of our current world is limited, biased, probably wrong?