Schizophrenics, who are known to have problems with memory recall, also have trouble imagining the future.

WSJ: Memory: Research Finds Links Between Recall, Future Planning

They are unaccustomed to imagining the future and inventing solutions.

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Kappes and Oettingen argue that when we focus solely on imagining the future of our dreams, our minds enjoy and indulge in those images as if they are real.

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"The goal of the Reinvent Payphones Design Challenge is to collaboratively engage designers, urban planners and technologists in imagining an innovative future for the City's public communications infrastructure, and we have been humbled by the phenomenal talent and creativity of the initiative's participants, " said Chief Digital Officer Haot.

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The process of imagining a future world of our liking is a major missing element in our education system.

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The imagining of a new, better future where there are compelling rewards pulls, attracts, and draws people forward, and emotionally engages them.

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Whittle is the author of Crash Course: Imagining a Better Future for Public Education, published in 2005.

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While even imagining such a traumatic dystopean future is more painful than anyone should bear, the likelihood of such a dreary future is increasing due to the unfortunate combination of market forces, decision making, and assisted reproductive technologies.

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Scientists have conducted many studies in the lab since showing that young, healthy adults are much better at imagining future scenarios than older people whose memories have deteriorated.

WSJ: Memory: Research Finds Links Between Recall, Future Planning