It is difficult to relate to our future self and, even more so, to our future society. But why is this so? Recent science published by Slate presents an interesting situation in our ability to think about the future, deep inside our brains. The scans have shown that when people think about their future selves, their brain scans light up similarly to when they think about a stranger. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay This could explain a lot: why it's hard to invest at a young age, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and get out of the relationship that you know probably won't last but is fun, for now. Studies show that the more your brain treats your future self like a stranger, the less self-control you show today and the less likely you are to make pro-social choices—choices that are likely to help the world in the long run. - Jane McGonigal, Ph.D. and senior research fellow at the Institute for the Future in Slate. The same article featured a study conducted by the Institute for the Future, which found that 53% of Americans surveyed say they "rarely or never think about something that might happen 30 years from today." " This phenomenon called the “future gap” might sound familiar if you are part of the majority of Americans. It certainly seems true when you look at the policies we are implementing in government today. Senators and members of Congress who are constantly running for re-election are not part of of a system that encourages long-term investment. Thus, funding for public education, federal subsidies for education and child care are also being cut – occupied by many young people – remain at embarrassing rates. Sustaining the future requires a certain conviction of one's character, of one's beliefs and faith in future generations. The truth is that time does not slow down for anyone, as demonstrated by the saying that a stone thrown along the way it will still be there when you reach it. There is an interesting story about a boy named Andrew. As a child he lived with his mother, father and younger brother in a one-bedroom house where the family struggled to put food on the table. When famine struck their village, the four borrowed just enough money to make the long journey to Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where Andrew began working at age 13. The life of a poor immigrant family was challenging. Andrew's father died seven years later, leaving Andrew as the family's sole breadwinner. Since formal education was not an option, Andrew often spent his free time at the local public library where he developed a hunger for literature and music. He eventually learned accounting in night school while working during the day. Of course, this Andrew is Andrew Carnegie, the man who would become the richest man of his time. “There is on earth no cradle of democracy like the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, nor office, nor wealth receive the least consideration,” Carnegie would later say. He would go on to establish an international peace endowment, the Carnegie Library, Carnegie-Mellon University, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Under his direction, the Carnegie Corporation of New York will direct $125 million to public libraries, education, concert halls and publishing. Legend has it that once, as a young man, Carnegie fell in love and proposed marriage. But the girl's mother is there.