Instant gratification is the norm today; it's easy to avoid thinking ahead. But the consequences of this immediacy are stark: Superbugs spawned by the overuse of antibiotics endanger our health. Companies that fail to invest stagnate and fall behind. Hurricanes and wildfires turn deadly for communities that could have taken more precaution. Venkataraman helped communities and businesses prepare for climate change, and she learned firsthand why people don't think ahead-- and what can be done to change that. Her book is brimming with the ideas and insights all of us need in order to forge a better future. -- adapted from jacket

Introduction: The trouble with the future --
Part 1. The individual and the family. Ghosts of the past and future ; Dashboard driving ; Beyond the here and now --
Part 2. Businesses and organizations. The quick fix ; A bird's eye view ; The glitter bomb --
Part 3. Communities and society. Hell or high water ; The games we play ; The living crowd --
Coda: Hope for a reckless age.

A former journalist and senior adviser in the Obama administration draws from her own experience, the stories she has reported from around the world, and research in biology, psychology, economics, archaeology, and beyond to identify the best ways to make decisions that benefit people over time.