There are many different images of the future. Cultures and classes can be distinguished in part by their differing images. Each person's image changes as she matures and has varying experiences. Some images are optimistic, some pessimistic, some are neither or both. The study of the images of the future which an individual, or a social class, or a group of elites, or a culture holds is practically important because people often act in the present on the basis of what they think the consequences of their actions will be.
People use their ideas about the future to direct their actions in the present.
They then may change or reinforce their ideas about the future on the basis of the experiences they have from their actions. Typically, people have not had the opportunity consciously to examine that loop, or even to examine the images they have of the future. Thus they have not learned how to clarify their images, and how to improve their decisions. This alone is ample justification for futures studies at a societal as well as an individual level. Societies, as well as individuals, should strive to improve their images of the future and their decisions in the present which so largely determine the future.