Futuring is a way to look at past events or trends to predict or prevent future events. Governments use it, businesses use it, anybody can use it. We sure don't want history to repeat itself.
Edward Cornish explained what futuring is in his book Futuring: the exploration of the future.
A drama film Awakenings was directed by Penny Marshal and futuring Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams was released in 1990. The film is based on memoirs of Neurologist Oliver Sacks.