Are we living in hopeless times, or is there still reason for optimism despite crises, conflicts, and widespread exhaustion?
Public sociologist, transition researcher and writer Stefan Selke explores how we might stop perceiving the future as a threat and start seeing it as an opportunity. He argues that today’s upheavals open spaces for fresh perspectives and that crises can spark creative rethinking. Drawing on research findings and examples from future-oriented projects, Selke illustrates how paralyzing resignation can be transformed into a spirit of positive renewal. “Future euphoria” is more than mere optimism: it is a social fuel that generates motivation, imagination, and a collective sense of belonging. In this view, the future becomes a vital resource—something we can practice, share, and actively shape together.