Setup
Thinking about the far-off future isn’t just an exercise in intellectual curiosity. It’s a practical skill that, as new research reveals, has a direct neurological link to greater creativity, empathy, and optimism. In this session from master game designer and acclaimed futurist Jane McGonigal, you’ll learn three practical habits that will increase the power of your imagination—and you’ll have the chance to combine creativity with your fellow attendees to foresee some of the biggest ways our lives will change by the year 2026.
- 2016 Festival
- Society
- Technology
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Society
![The Bonds We Make (and Break): Building Better Relationships](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/7e2ed14a-3d4a-47e6-833a-d8d48d2d11a2/AIFStockHeroImages2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=267&q=80&rect=534%2C0%2C5065%2C3375&w=400)
The people in our lives shape who we are. But great relationships don’t just happen — they take care, intention, and ongoing effort. How do you know when to let go, adjust exp...
![Gettyimages 1497523107](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/0c3afa50-e2fd-41cc-8c0f-73e9610e5200/GettyImages-1497523107.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=ab287a&q=80&rect=1005%2C0%2C3993%2C3991&w=400)
![Gettyimages 1497523107](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/0c3afa50-e2fd-41cc-8c0f-73e9610e5200/GettyImages-1497523107.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=1005%2C0%2C3993%2C3991&w=400)
Advances in medicine and healthy living mean that more and more people will live to be 100. But just because their bodies can last doesn’t mean their bank accounts will keep u...
![Gettyimages 894469160](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/ab812fc4-a485-4511-90ad-01847d991d5b/GettyImages-894469160.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=7d247d&q=80&rect=852%2C0%2C3737%2C3737&w=400)
![Gettyimages 894469160](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/ab812fc4-a485-4511-90ad-01847d991d5b/GettyImages-894469160.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=852%2C0%2C3737%2C3737&w=400)
In the early days of cable television, there wasn’t a single network aimed at Black audiences. Sheila Johnson and her husband at the time saw an opening, and put all their hop...
![Gettyimages 155359274](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/475894dc-a0ee-4923-9919-8fe8fd58387d/GettyImages-155359274.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=0a80bc&q=80&rect=843%2C0%2C3125%2C3126&w=400)
![Gettyimages 155359274](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/475894dc-a0ee-4923-9919-8fe8fd58387d/GettyImages-155359274.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=843%2C0%2C3125%2C3126&w=400)
Owning a professional sports team is not for the faint of heart. Results are volatile and wins and losses come with the strong emotions of a city’s fan base. But it’s a sound...
![Bold Goals: The Biomedical Science of Tomorrow](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/1be7dd82-0714-47cd-bcdb-841d9609c957/Screenshot2023-09-06at10.36.15AM.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=267&q=80&rect=596%2C0%2C777%2C518&w=400)
Setting audacious goals helps to redefine what is achievable in health, medicine, and science. As we deepen understanding of the human genome, unravel the mysteries of the bra...
![Gettyimages 1666100556](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/7415031f-9752-408b-b0a0-b92804547b25/GettyImages-1666100556.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=ac473e&q=80&rect=1141%2C0%2C4503%2C4500&w=400)
![Gettyimages 1666100556](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/7415031f-9752-408b-b0a0-b92804547b25/GettyImages-1666100556.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=1141%2C0%2C4503%2C4500&w=400)
Looking around and experiencing the suffering and injustice in the world can make it difficult to believe that happiness exists. But the Judeo-Christian tradition teaches that...
![Aif Stock Hero Images 3](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/0d07843a-6d06-4646-9e0c-70157ef49be6/AIFStockHeroImages3.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=b78045&q=80&rect=1822%2C0%2C3377%2C3375&w=400)
![Aif Stock Hero Images 3](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/0d07843a-6d06-4646-9e0c-70157ef49be6/AIFStockHeroImages3.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=1822%2C0%2C3377%2C3375&w=400)
This episode is from the 2022 Aspen Ideas Festival, but we’re bringing it back because it’s still as relevant as ever. Though it can sometimes feel like conflict and discord i...
![Gettyimages 950674666](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/827eb946-bde5-4c21-ac1d-5443780bfe7a/GettyImages-950674666.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=0a80bc&q=80&rect=0%2C0%2C3630%2C3630&w=400)
![Gettyimages 950674666](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/827eb946-bde5-4c21-ac1d-5443780bfe7a/GettyImages-950674666.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=0%2C0%2C3630%2C3630&w=400)
Sir Ken Robinson believed that as a society, we tragically underestimate and underutilize human ability. We create linear systems for our minds modeled on industry and manufac...
![Gettyimages 1500076836](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/db440eda-7527-4eb6-9a7d-8bce63bc36f0/GettyImages-1500076836.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=8a5f4e&q=80&rect=0%2C0%2C4000%2C4000&w=400)
![Gettyimages 1500076836](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/db440eda-7527-4eb6-9a7d-8bce63bc36f0/GettyImages-1500076836.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=0%2C0%2C4000%2C4000&w=400)
Young people in America are struggling. The causes are varied and may not be entirely clear, but the results are unfortunately unmistakable. Many of our youth feel lonely, iso...
![Gettyimages 2151740078](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/b61928fd-9d57-4079-939a-99648b2fdfa5/GettyImages-2151740078.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=0a7c51&q=80&rect=1389%2C0%2C2305%2C2304&w=400)
![Gettyimages 2151740078](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/b61928fd-9d57-4079-939a-99648b2fdfa5/GettyImages-2151740078.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=1389%2C0%2C2305%2C2304&w=400)
New technologies have always led to changes in society, though not always as quickly or drastically as people feared. Could artificial intelligence be different? Instead of le...
![Life Hacks From David Brooks](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/d0b0f7a7-6f7d-4e5c-8985-b473924fbccc/52183567104_7a32669f54_o.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=1454%2C0%2C3721%2C3720&w=400)
New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks is known for bringing his thoughtful reflections on politics and culture, but at this year’s Aspen Ideas Festival,...
![All-Time: The Most Popular Talks From Aspen Ideas](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/73f15f2d-0b85-4fbd-9b8c-477895d2ff03/AIFStockHeroImages1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=267&q=80&rect=400%2C0%2C4863%2C3240&w=400)
Jump in by watching our 15 most popular talks of all time. From black holes to jazz and civil rights to psychology hacks, we've collected the talks that remain audience favori...
![Take a Break, Learn Something New](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/81c4308b-5ffd-4e20-b5ad-38d487e8c3b8/GettyImages-1492377092.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=267&q=80&rect=0%2C39%2C6211%2C4140&w=400)
Finding the national and global headlines understandably bleak lately? Whether you need mental distraction or stimulation, engross yourself in compelling topics and get a gli...
![Making the Grade: Helping Kids (and Parents) Thrive](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/6786d809-a1f9-44ff-8c5f-6551eb02e484/AIFStockHeroImages.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=267&q=80&rect=550%2C0%2C4863%2C3240&w=400)
Today's kids are coming of age against a backdrop of political, social, technological and economic upheaval. While these circumstances are shaping a precocious generation that...
![Gettyimages 475224358](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/621a0768-0ea6-4713-93e4-c6edbdf8d5c6/GettyImages-475224358.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=ac473e&q=80&rect=1559%2C0%2C3456%2C3456&w=400)
![Gettyimages 475224358](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/621a0768-0ea6-4713-93e4-c6edbdf8d5c6/GettyImages-475224358.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=1559%2C0%2C3456%2C3456&w=400)
Hope seems like a simple concept, but the feeling can be difficult to hold onto. And when times are difficult and chaos swirls around us, it’s more important than ever. How do...
![Spotlight on Women's Health](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/5314ce00-5c77-4c97-891a-e230ad384abb/2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=267&q=80&rect=1178%2C958%2C8702%2C5792&w=400)
Advocates, healthcare providers, legislators, researchers, and venture capitalists are bringing the unique health needs of women to light – from vigorous policy debates on iss...
![The Edge of Intelligence](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/ca137f38-2dfa-453b-ab87-63f68386aa36/AIFStockHeroImages7.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=267&q=80&rect=495%2C0%2C5065%2C3375&w=400)
Everywhere you look, there’s a headline about the power of artificial intelligence and how it will impact our lives in ways we have not yet imagined. From advancing medicine t...
![Hard-Earned Lessons From Leaders at the Top](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/fcdd2a97-bf5f-41fe-8ecd-a0699a275c98/GettyImages-1711505402.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=370%2C0%2C5306%2C5303&w=400)
Ethical dilemmas, stakeholder pressure, building trust — leading organizations requires wisdom and stamina from the top. Who wouldn’t want some advice?
![Modern Life](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/a02923be-6009-455b-9c5b-d2f68d1f8354/GettyImages-1413292858.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=267&q=80&rect=0%2C0%2C5472%2C3648&w=400)
What makes us happy — really? How can we raise resilient and empathetic children? What does it mean to be truly connected in our increasingly digital world? Can we re-instill...
![Aif Stock Hero Images](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/84f28c4e-8c40-441d-a43c-b4e8ba2dd8d7/AIFStockHeroImages.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&mono=8a5f4e&q=80&rect=935%2C0%2C3377%2C3375&w=400)
![Aif Stock Hero Images](https://aspenideasfestival.imgix.net/84f28c4e-8c40-441d-a43c-b4e8ba2dd8d7/AIFStockHeroImages.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=400&q=80&rect=935%2C0%2C3377%2C3375&w=400)
Where will artificial intelligence be in five years, or 10 or 20? What happens if the technology is regulated? And if it isn’t? How will it shape the world and the way we live...