a bowl of colorful marbles

Imagination’s practicality is what makes it remarkable. Too often, folx hold that imagination is for invisible friends and Falkor from the Neverending Story. But I think it’s more useful than people believe.

For example, let’s say someone feels hopeless about their life situation. They have few or no friends. Their job prospects are thin, and the ones left could be a lot more inspiring. The future is kinda gloomy. But what if they develop a powerful imagination that allows them to envision a better future? From my experience, people with imaginations can dream pathways to better futures and the steps to get there. They can see ways to reconfigure the present to bring them closer to their dreams. Imagination is more than an escape—it’s a tool for testing untried options and dreaming possibilities. People who imagine can do A/B testing and prototyping in their minds.

I think advanced imaginations have the power to unlock futures. I want to find out if that’s the case.

Dennis Cheatham

Associate Professor, Communication Design

Miami University

Select Your Experience