Phys.org: Across many human domains, from AI and personal relationships to climate change, the structure is the same: The present is immediate and rewarded; the future is abstract, distant and silent. So, decisions skew toward today.

My Opinion: This article argues that we think short term, and discount the future too much. But it only gives two examples. Some people choose the immediate gratification of AI companionship rather than building long term human relationships. And some people don't take action to mitigate climate change as its worst impact is in the distant future. 

But you have to survive and thrive in the short term, before you look to the long term. Those that are struggling to survive, can't be too concerned about the distant future. But government leads the way. By borrowing and spending money to give a short term boost to the economy. 

If you take care of people's immediate needs, then they will be more able to think of the distant future. That means protection of both negative and positive human rights. Those that are living in social or physical deprivation, will tend to focus on the present.

Until you free people from the short term driven economic and political cycle, they will not care about the distant future. True, many people start saving for retirement as soon as they start earning. But many more don't save enough. People need to earn enough, and have a social support network, to care for others, their future selves and their family and friends, and future generations.

From AI companions to climate action, we undervalue what lies ahead