Cecilia MoSze Tham

Many of you know me for my work as a designer and a futurist, but what most people may not know about me is that my journey to this point wasn't a linear one. Before finding my passion in design and futurism, I spent two enriching years studying neuroscience. I was part of a dedicated team working in a lab, contributing to an extensive study on the roles of Oxytocin and Vasopressin. I have always been very intrigued with all things brain related, but I was not studious enough to continue, and made a switch to study design and architecture. Today, as I explore the intersection of these diverse fields, I realize that my past experiences have deeply influenced my approach to designing futures.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination encircles the world." These words, famously spoken by Albert Einstein, resonate with us more than ever as we delve into the fascinating world of neuroscience.

I love how this latest article, "Where Imagination Lives in Your Brain" on Scientific American talks about the science of imagination and how that is connected to how we think (and rehearse) for the future based on what we have learned in the past. The latest research, “Imagination as a Fundamental Function of the Hippocampus,” has unveiled that the ability to conjure up possible futures or alternative realities is intricately tied to memory. Both faculties share a residence within a brain region called the hippocampus 1 .

“From an evolutionary perspective, we are reasonably sure that the purpose of memories is actually in the future,” Frank says. “Memories allow you to take experiences that you have and retrieve them to make predictions about what will happen next.” This chain of neural events even loops back on itself. We also need to form memories of our simulations of the future so that when we have an experience, we have something to draw on. As an Applied Futurist, I find these discoveries profoundly intriguing. The art of forecasting or designing the future is, in essence, a form of applied imagination. Leveraging our past experiences and learnings, we extrapolate and envision the possibilities that lie ahead, thereby actively shaping the course of our future.

Just as place cells in the hippocampus enable a rat to navigate a maze, our brain uses similar mechanisms to explore the labyrinth of future possibilities 1 . The hippocampus, thus, functions as a simulator, projecting different scenarios that guide our decisions and actions 1 .

Moreover, the hippocampus appears to not only replay our past experiences but also creates new connections, forming mental maps that allow us to mentally traverse unexplored paths. This process can be seen as a testament to our brain's creative prowess, constructing new realities from past experiences, much like an imagination at work 1 .

So, what does this mean for us as futurists, strategists, or innovators?

The Past is a Foundation: Our past experiences serve as a crucial foundation for imagining and designing our future. Reflect on your experiences, learn from them, and use them as building blocks for your future projections 1 . Memory and Imagination are Tightly Linked: Memory is not just about preserving the past, but also about shaping our future. It allows us to make predictions based on our previous experiences and helps us navigate through the complexities of the future 1 . Our Brain is a Powerful Simulator: Understanding that our hippocampus acts as a simulator, running through different scenarios, can open up new ways of thinking about and planning for the future. We can "simulate" different futures, see which ones align best with our goals, and then take the necessary steps to make them a reality 1 . Remember, the future is not just something that happens to us; it's something we actively create. And our brain, specifically our hippocampus, is an incredibly powerful tool in this process. As we continue to learn more about the neuroscience of imagination, I am excited about the potential insights this will provide us in our work as futurists.

Imagination is not merely the ability to dream. It's the ability to envision, plan, and design our future. If we can based these imaginations with evidence, facts and scientific rigor, then we can build a better world for all of us.

Want to learn more about how to design the future with science? You can take my introductory course at Domestika on Designing Products of the Future and check out our work at Futurity Systems .

#Imagination #Futurism #Neuroscience #Hippocampus #FutureDesign #RigorouslyImaginative

Cecilia MoSze Tham

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain 15K followers 500+ connections

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Business Consulting, Public Speaking, and Corporate Training

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Futurity Systems

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Institute of Design (ID)

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Data Science and Machine Learning

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The Neuroscience of Learning

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