From What Is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want

by Rob Hopkins

“Big ideas that just might save the world”― The Guardian The founder of the international Transition Towns movement asks why true creative, positive thinking is in decline, asserts that it's more important now than ever, and suggests ways our communities can revive and reclaim it. In these times of deep division and deeper despair, if there is a consensus about anything in the world, it is that the future is going to be awful. There is an epidemic of loneliness, an epidemic of anxiety, a mental health crisis of vast proportions, especially among young people. There’s a rise in extremist movements and governments. Catastrophic climate change. Biodiversity loss. Food insecurity. The fracturing of ecosystems and communities beyond, it seems, repair. The future―to say nothing of the present―looks grim. But as Transition movement cofounder Rob Hopkins tells us, there is plenty of evidence that things can change, and cultures can change, rapidly, dramatically, and unexpectedly―for the better. He has seen it happen around the world and in his own town of Totnes, England, where the community is becoming its own housing developer, energy company, enterprise incubator, and local food network―with cascading benefits to the community that extend far beyond the projects themselves. We  do  have the capability to effect dramatic change, Hopkins argues, but we’re failing because we’ve largely allowed our most critical tool to human imagination. As defined by social reformer John Dewey, imagination is  the ability to look at things as if they could be otherwise . The ability, that is, to ask What if? And if there was ever a time when we needed that ability, it is now. Imagination is central to empathy, to creating better lives, to envisioning and then enacting a positive future. Yet imagination is also demonstrably in decline at precisely the moment when we need it most. In this passionate exploration, Hopkins asks why imagination is in decline, and what we must do to revive and reclaim it. Once we do, there is no end to what we might accomplish. From What Is to What If is a call to action to reclaim and unleash our collective imagination, told through the stories of individuals and communities around the world who are doing it now, as we speak, and witnessing often rapid and dramatic change for the better.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Sustainability, Audiobook, Politics, Climate Change, Nature

240 pages, Paperback

Published July 10, 2020

About the author

Rob Hopkins did his permaculture design course in 1992, and around the same time saw Bill Mollison lecture in Stroud, and both of these things dramatically changed his life. He became involved in the Bristol Permaculture Group, and at the same time did a degree in Environmental Quality and Resource Management at UWE Bristol. His dissertation, ‘Permaculture - a new approach for rural planning’ is on his website. He moved with his family to Ireland, where he began teaching permaculture and laying the groundwork for the ecovillage development he wanted to undertake.

He set up Baile Dulra Teoranta, the first company granted charitable status for an eco-village development in Ireland. In September 2005 he moved to Totnes in Devon, to begin a PhD at Plymouth University looking at Energy Descent Action Plans, refining the model in such a way that they can be done anywhere.

Reviews

[Camille McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of hope, even though it made me a bit depressed because when you really think about it, the changes we should be implementing to create a better world aren't even that difficult. It's just that moneyed interests don't want to change anything or they might not have such enormous wealth if the rest of us weren't miserable automatons. The book focuses on the importance of imagination and talks about the danger we're in since we don't prioritize imagination. It also gave a lot of examples of projects that are using imagination as a starting point, and what kinds of questions we can be asking to get these better ideas out in the open. I don't think he went into this but it reminded me of the phrase "It's easier to imagine the end of the world than it is to imagine the end of capitalism." What we expend our imagination on matters, as it helps us bring about what we can picture. I really enjoyed this book's perspective. Even just reading the introduction - where he imagines everything turning out "ok" - is incredibly inspiring. I highly recommend this book, especially for those who want to make positive change, and I look forward to reading his other books.

[Xenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The act of reading this book was one hell of an awful chore, I hated almost every second, but I am very grateful to have all that information in my head now, it's very interesting and inspiring to think about (but not to read)

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was wäre wenn... wir die negativen Vorstellungen über unsere Welt weglassen und ein positives, kreatives Bild malen, das uns dazu bringt, zum Beispiel die Umwelt zu schützen, das Leben in der Stadt grüner zu machen, die Schule angenehmer usw. Rob Hopkins zeigt in diesem zum Nachdenken anregenden Buch anhand von lokalen Beispielen in verschiedenen Ländern, wie man mehr Mut und Fantasie zeigen und von diesem Traumbild ausgehend Probleme lösen kann. Ich konnte nicht alles nachvollziehen, was der Autor dargestellt hat, aber das Buch ist gut aufbereitet, auch wenn einiges typisch britisch ist wie Internate und Schuluniformen.
Danke an den Verlag und Netgalley für ein Rezensions-Ebook im Gegenzug zu einer ehrlichen Rezension.

[Sara Mesquita · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Imagination is not a luxury"

My rating primarily reflects my personal experience with the audiobook format of "From What Is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want" by Rob Hopkins, rather than the value of its content. The narration of the audiobook unfortunately fell short of delivering an engaging experience. The reading pace lacked the necessary pauses, failing to allow the listener time to fully absorb and ponder the concepts and ideas presented. This resulted in a monotonous stream of words, seemingly devoid of natural breaks like commas or paragraph ends.

Nonetheless, the core material of the book is great and offers rich perspectives and examples. Given this, I might consider revisiting it in a different format, although this seems unlikely given the vast amount of literature available and me having just one life :)

For those interested in exploring Hopkins' vision, I recommend opting for formats other than the audio version.

[Giordano Margaglio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second (much-needed) reading to restore faith in humanity and rekindle imagination!

____

I thought I'd be reading a book about the climate crisis, but I read about hope, futurism, imagination play, education, inspiring change-makers, Nature. Finally someone leaves aside the overwhelming, depressing and boring facts about the "what is", to transition towards the empowering, enlightening, exciting realm of the "what if". A truly life-changing guide I will try to bring with me in my day to day practice as well as in my personal and professional aspirations.

[Atharva Kand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a powerful call to action to imagine a future filled with imagination. Often had me reflecting on the paucity of imagination in our lives right from the way we interact with others to the way our cities feel. Hopkins argues that this lack of imagination is so pervasive and potent that even creative work lacks imagination - which ultimately stems from policy that prioritises economic growth over social wellbeing

I listened to the audiobook. Well narrated and well paced. It was filled with gems and dense with info, nearly every listen, I felt the need to jot something down. Probably will own a paperback at some point

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book if you are feeling discouraged about the state of the world. Rob sets out practical ideas of doable actions, gives a wider vision for the future, and tells stories of things that are already working in a positive direction. Hope has never felt so reasonable, change never so reachable. I wish everyone I know would read this, and pass it on.

[Katie E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I‘m floored. I‘ve never been this moved by a non-fiction book. Rob Hopkins‘ „from what is to what if“ pleads for an increase in imagination in everyday life, but especially in societal issues. My job involves a lot of imagining of alternative economies and food systems, so I was expecting to hear familiar concepts. I was utterly floored by the extent to which he draws the imaginative process, and particularily by the myriad of successful, wholesome examples from all around the world. Due to other reviews I expected it to be a dry read, but I found the writing engaging and fluid enough to finish the book in a mere few days.
I finish this book feeling deeply moved, hopeful for the future and motivated to keep believing and acting for a better world. Everybody should read this, but especially those who consider themselves visionary, idealist, and activist.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much to think about!! I am recommending this book to everyone.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for what it is - an exhortation to visioning, or dreaming as others call it. I wish that the book had gone further, but there you are, you can't have everything that you want. There is obviously a distinct slant upon the object of the dreaming, but that doesn't invalidate the whole concept of imagining an alternative state of affairs.

The Introduction and the first chapter provide the heart of the book. It occupies about a fifth of the total, with the remaining four fifths underlining and reinforcing the main points. There are two key takeaways from the book. The first is that things usually work out OK in the end. Whatever happens, we temper our expectations to fit the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Most of the time, our key strategies in life are simply muddling through. Looking at what turns up and then making the best of it as possible. There is a lot to be said for this approach.

The second revelation is that, if we are content to muddle through, then why be anchored to current ways of doing things? Why don't we experiment to try things out? If they go wrong, then we can muddle along on any case. If we take this view, then we are empowered to dream about alternative states of affairs. It's a useful way to counter the fear of failure, which often acts to paralyse our actions.

This is important in the study of the future. If we are to create alternative future constructs, then we need to be able to draw upon a range of alternative future states, some of them very different from our current situation. From where does this creativity come? We dream it. We make it up. We ask ourselves 'What if?'. It is from this liminal zone that our creativity springs in whatever undertaking we are engaged in.

And that is why this book is so useful. It is all about going from what is to what if. Imagining different possibilities for the future and working out how they could possibly come about. In the world of the futurist, it represents an important step in going from an official future to a more preferred future. To empower us to create the future that we want.

[Sean Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly the book I needed right now. It took me longer than I'd like to admit to realize that cynicism was just a tactic people used to shut down conversations when they didn't know the answer or when they didn't want to change their view of the world. This book uses extensive examples to show how people can and do improve their lives and their communities every day by not being afraid to dream and act and make change. Often these changes start small and grow into something bigger. But they can also start with mass movements and people taking democratic control of their cities.

This book doesn't shy away from the negative things in the world, or fall into utopianism. Instead, it gives examples of a variety of projects - schools, community gardens, co-ops, museums, etc. - that are unique to the needs and ideas of the people who created them and the local conditions where they are implemented. There is no blueprint for a perfect world because it looks different to everyone, but if we spend more time with our communities and communicate openly and imagine what we'd like, we can make a better community for everyone.

[Zaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book wasn't really what I expected, because I thought there would be more fictional parts about what a future could look like. Instead, Hopkins collected many things that people are currently doing to build a more sustainable and social world, which is always interesting to read. The moments dedicated to how the current society is fighting hard against imagination and how it's a problem when you have to deal with new challenges was also a lot of food for the thoughts. I often use "why not" and "what if" when I've decisions to make, but wasn't probably fully aware of the fact. Sadly, for the moment, I'm not using that to make things or create useful new worlds, I usually prefer to join other people's ideas, which isn't always easy when there's few things around or when the space for helpers is already taken. I'm curious to see how the society can evolve in a right way if more people start their transition, so I hope it'll come fast.

[Floresia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro ha sido como un soplo de aire fresco a la hora de imaginarme el futuro. Frente al futuro incierto y deprimente que se augura, sentir un poquito de esperanza es liberador. Saber que no somos impotentes frente a el, que a escala local podemos reinventar nuestro al rededor, imaginar un mundo mas humano.
La imaginación es un tesoro!!

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and inspiring book that left me bursting with ideas. That's what I look for from nonfiction books on this topic, and it definitely fulfilled that brief.

It offers a series of case studies, and it was great to hear some good news stories of things being done. It was a tad repetitive at times, and I think some chapters were stronger than others. But its core message shone through.

[Sandrine Tangerine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so important, I loved every second of reading it. It made me realise the way modern culture including technology has impacted our minds and our practices of reflecting and imagining. The book made me feel hopeful about the future and our ability to create a positive alternative world

[Paulina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea- I felt like I was reading the diary of someone who has ADHD. Bouncing from one thing to the next.. I do like the ultimate takeaway which is using your imagination and asking the what if questions but boy did I skim these pages, couldn’t get myself into it at all.

[Ebbasally2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

We see way to few positive news in our day and age, a really inspiring book!
4,5 starts

[Alise Miļūna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope to once write a review that does it more justice, but for now, will just say this book is one of my all-time favorites.

Among recent readings, it's like the bright side of the coin balancing the epic shadow I'm finding in Dump Philosophy: A Phenomenology of Devastation.

[Nadine Baier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! the book we all need to read, to free our imagination again. also, for once a book that feels hopeful without negating the severity of yhe issues of the world we are facing. I loved the ideas and real stories he brought in, and the message of the book so much. It really made me imagine, feel, mind-experience the future I want to live in, and to think about what actions are mine to take to get there.

[Márcia Figueira · Rating 5 out of 5]

> So why is imagination so distrusted in education? Neil Griffiths, director at a charity called Arts Emergency, puts it like this: ‘The way decision-makers see it is that the world is not run by people and systems that require imaginative citizens, that require dreamers and thinkers and makers – we’re not needed in the economic models planned out for us <

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This year I really wanted to read more non-fiction (since I fell in love with it at the end of 2020).

I told myself that I probably wouldn’t give them a star rating because it’s much more subjective.

Yet here I am giving my third non-fiction a 5 star rating because it was just so so GOOD!!

[Rob S · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

This book was everything I wanted it to be. Jam-packed with case studies of people that had taken action in the present to move towards the futures they want to see. I feel far more strongly that one voice, one action or one small community can make significant, positive change. And that imagination is key to that.

I hope to play my part!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not something I would have picked up on my own accord, but I have deeply appreciated it and will be looking for more from Hopkins.

[pooja · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Longer review coming up soon!]

[Joaquim Moody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Visie-pulp met weinig nieuws.

[Debs Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling, dynamic and inspiring read that doesn't shy away from the huge challenges that face us all and at the same time but is utterly convincing in its message of the power of our imagination to tell a more hopeful story. I'll keep coming back to this to draw on the energy of the stories of communities that have come together to do things differently and make positive change happen.

[Liza Gordin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read in 2021! Thanks Rob for writing such an inspiring and hopeful account of what our future might hold for us.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

And with that my hope was restored.

[Brown Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, inspiring, delightful, wonderful, awesome.
I want to marry Rob Hopkins (nevermind the fact 1. He's already married 2. He doesn't seem that interested in me). I also want him to govern the world. He'll fix it.

[Rhianna M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The author develops a detailed argument of why we need to bring creativity and imagination back into everything we do. He paints beautiful pictures of what can be accomplished by using our imagination and trying new things. The book really is an inspiration to be different in our world and strive towards a better future.