The Futures Triangle: Past, Present, Future in Tension

 

One of the most practical tools in futures thinking is Sohail Inayatullah’s Futures Triangle. It helps us understand why the future feels like such a struggle — and how past, present, and future forces pull us in different directions.

The triangle framework is simple yet powerful:

Pull of the Future – the images, hopes, and visions that attract us forward.

Push of the Present – the trends, technologies, and changes driving us right now.

Weight of the Past – the traditions, habits, and structures holding us back.

When we map these forces, we see that the future is not just something that “happens.” It is shaped in the tension between past, present, and future.

1. The Weight of the Past

The past shapes how societies think, often creating resistance to change. It includes culture, religion, policies, or even outdated infrastructure.

Example: In education, many schools still use 19th-century classroom models (rows of desks, teacher in front) even though technology allows for interactive, student-centered learning. The “weight of the past” is the mindset that education must look like it always has.

2. The Push of the Present

The present is full of signals and drivers — population growth, climate change, new technologies, demographic shifts. These forces create momentum whether we like it or not.

Example: The rise of artificial intelligence is pushing industries to adapt. Even without clear long-term regulation, the present push of automation and data-driven tools is reshaping business and everyday life.

3. The Pull of the Future

The pull is about imagination — the images of the future that inspire us. They might be utopian (a green, sustainable planet) or dystopian (climate collapse). The stronger the image, the more it can mobilize action.

Example: The vision of “net zero by 2050” is pulling governments and companies toward clean energy investment. It’s not just about technology but the story we tell about a future worth striving for.

4. Seeing the Triangle in Action

Imagine renewable energy:

Past weight: dependence on coal and oil, political influence of fossil fuel industries.

Present push: rising energy demand, cheaper solar panels, global climate agreements.

Future pull: vision of a carbon-neutral world powered by clean, infinite energy.

The struggle is in the triangle. Policymakers, businesses, and communities are caught in the tension — but seeing the triangle clearly helps in making smarter decisions.

Why It Matters

The Futures Triangle reminds us that the future is not just a straight line. It is a negotiation between memory, momentum, and imagination. For individuals, it explains why change feels so hard: our habits (past), our current pressures (present), and our dreams (future) rarely align. For organizations and societies, it becomes a tool to map strategy, spot opportunities, and identify what must be overcome.

If you’ve ever felt “stuck” about the future, the Futures Triangle shows why. The past holds you, the present pushes you, the future pulls you. The art of foresight is learning how to balance these tensions — loosening the weight, harnessing the push, and strengthening the pull.

That’s how tomorrow is built.