I asked my 6 year old nephew recently what he wanted to be when he grew up.  After considerable pause and reflection he said: “Well, I think I’ll either be a professional football player or a paleontologist.  Or maybe I’ll fix trucks.” Ask an adult the same question and the response is usually filled with self-absorbed navel-gazing.

It’s no surprise that the youngest among us often think the most imaginatively and optimistically about the future.  So it’s great to see a project that taps into the creative genius of children, at least in part. The “Fifty Forward: Metro Atlanta’s Futures Forum,” is a planning initiative to explore possible future scenarios for Atlanta via public forums to encourage people to think about the needs and goals of the region in the future. As part of the project a group of fourth and fifth graders were asked to think what the region will be like 50 years from now and to send a postcard to the future. Here are a few:

Tristan’s Postcard to the Future

We come in peace.

We are sorry that we polluted the sky and water.

We are also sorry that we brought aliens. But, we have new transportation like flying cars, hover boards and jetpacks.

Your pal, Tristan       

Eva’s Postcard to the Future

Dear Future,

I love the way you get around!!! It’s cool how the work buildings are connected. The monorail will help a bit with the traffic accidents, since it stops everywhere.

The future is really cool!

Your friend, Eva

Michael’s Postcard to the Future

Hey you in the future,

I think there will be slides to everything so you can get to places quicker. Do you like that future?.

Cars, space ships, anything you can think of ….all you have to do is ask, and it will be yours.

And, best of all, there is a “life” tree, so you never die.

Thanks, Michael

This fabulous video compilation of postcards and interviews with the kids should be required-viewing for every lawmaker (and not just in Atlanta). One can only hope that Atlanta’s decision-makers embrace exploring the future of their city as creatively as these kids.