What makes us human anyway?

How, exactly, are we different from our nearest primate-cousins?

Physically, we look like we bathe in Nair daily, compared to an average gorilla. We’re also a bit taller, and have a lot less strength.

Emotionally, most of us have better self-control, on a good day.

Intellectually, we can do math, abstract thinking, and other cool stuff, but there is one key difference that changed everything for us...

Imagination.

What is Imagination?

Imagination is the ability to visualize something in our mind that doesn’t exist, as though it does. It's the ability to simulate "What if?" changes to our reality, and explore them to discover potential risks and opportunities.

And, our emotions, react to that imagined thing just as strongly as they would if that thing were right in front of us.

• Every time you’ve ever felt panic, before going on stage… you’ve experienced this.
• Every time you’ve gotten excited before a first date… you’ve experienced this.
• Every time you’ve imagined a great meal, and then gone and made it… you’ve experienced this.

All of our creativity is based on our ability to imagine.

It’s why we live in castles, and fly through the air, while chimps stand in the rain.

Yay us. Sorry, chimps.

What is Fantasy?

Sadly... there's no such thing as a free lunch.

There's a downside to this superpower. Just like superman keeps melting his Ray-Ban’s, our superpower has downsides too.

Our imagination triggers emotions like excitement, desire, and fear. When we find ourselves fixating on something we’ve imagined, and we keep thinking about it, we call this fantasy.

If we don’t control our imagination, it soon controls us.

Some people are prone to extensive fantasies, It's estimated that about 4% of the population is classed as having a fantasy prone personality (FPP).

So, the answer to “is it normal” is absolutely yes. But if you asked “is it healthy”... than you have to ask yourself the question... what's it costing you?

What's the Difference?

The purpose of imagination is to improve our lives by improving our future security and opportunity. The purpose of fantasy is... entertainment. It's mental masturbation, nothing more. It provides zero value to your life, or your future, and in fact distracts you from things that matter more.

In fact, porn is one of the best examples of the difference between imagination and fantasy. It doesn't improve your life in any meaningful way, but if you've spent any time in the seedier corners of the Internet, you know how intensely it ignites your fantasies.

Follow the click trail, and you'll find whatever twists your nipples... and when you find it, the masturbation probably isn't just mental.

Does this better your world in a real way? How does it improve your future?

Well... no, not much.

Is it demotivating you or distracting you from pursuing a real version of the life you really want?

Yeah, probably.

This is the difference between imagination and fantasy.

Make Imagination Useful

Imagination is hugely beneficial as long as it’s driving change. Are you using those great ideas to improve your world? Awesome.

But if not, what’s the point exactly?

Change that. Use it for something great.