I learn from thinking about the future, what hasn't been done

In the unfolding saga of human existence, there is a constant undercurrent that propels us forward: the future. It is a place that exists only in our minds, a realm of possibilities and untapped potential. The words of John Cale, “I learn from thinking about the future, what hasn't been done yet. That's kind of my constant obsession,” speak to a profound truth that transcends time—the human drive to envision the unseen and the unknown, to grasp at what lies just beyond our reach. Cale’s words reflect a relentless pursuit of innovation and creativity, a longing to chart a course toward a horizon that has yet to be written, a desire to bring forth what has never been before.

This is a philosophical truth that echoes through the ages. The ancient Greeks, in their wisdom, understood that the future is not something that happens to us, but something that we actively shape through our actions, our thoughts, and our dreams. Heraclitus, the philosopher of change, argued that everything is in a state of flux, and it is through this constant state of becoming that we create the future. To focus on what hasn’t been done, as Cale suggests, is to engage with the creative energy that defines human existence. It is to refuse to be bound by the present or the past, but to look instead toward the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.

Consider the example of Leonardo da Vinci, whose insatiable curiosity and boundless imagination were directed not merely toward understanding the world as it was, but toward conceiving what it could become. Da Vinci, like Cale, was obsessed with the future—his notebooks are filled with sketches of inventions that were far ahead of his time, from flying machines to armored tanks. Though many of his ideas never materialized in his lifetime, they represent a vision of human potential that continues to inspire us today. Da Vinci’s genius lay not just in his ability to see what was possible in the world around him, but in his unwavering obsession with what had yet to be done.

This obsession with the future, as Cale describes, is not merely a fleeting fascination, but a force that drives creation and innovation. In the same way, consider the journey of Thomas Edison, whose relentless pursuit of the electric light was guided by his belief in the unrealized future. Edison did not see the world as it was, but as it could be, and his unrelenting obsession with bringing forth something new led to the creation of one of the most transformative inventions in human history. Edison’s work embodies Cale’s sentiment—by thinking about what hadn’t been done yet, he was able to shape a future that would forever alter the course of humanity.

The true lesson in Cale’s quote, and in the examples of figures like da Vinci and Edison, is the power of vision—the ability to see not just what is in front of us, but what is possible, what is waiting to be discovered. It is this vision that propels progress, that fuels the fire of invention and discovery. However, this obsession with the future does not come without its challenges. To think about what hasn’t been done is to acknowledge the unknown, to step into a space where failure is just as possible as success. It requires the courage to fail, to face uncertainty, and to rise again in the face of adversity.

In our own lives, we must learn to embrace this same obsession with the future. We are all capable of shaping the future, not by simply waiting for it to arrive, but by imagining what is possible and striving toward it. Whether in science, art, business, or personal growth, the act of envisioning what hasn’t been done yet is the spark that ignites transformation. Just as John Cale looks to the future to fuel his creativity, so too must we look to the unknown with a sense of wonder, not fear. Let us pursue the future with the same obsession, knowing that it is our dreams and actions in the present that will shape what is yet to come.

The lesson is clear: the future is not a passive force, but an active creation. We must look beyond the horizon, beyond the confines of what we know, and embrace the unknown. In doing so, we can shape a world that reflects not just our present circumstances, but the limitless potential of what is yet to be. As we continue to dream, to create, and to innovate, we must remember that the future belongs to those who are bold enough to imagine it and brave enough to pursue it. Let this be the obsession that drives us all.