What: If

(The birth of Toy Story ).

This question shifted space travel from science fiction to a multi-billion dollar engineering goal. What If

series explores how one small change in a superhero’s choice creates a whole new universe. (The birth of Toy Story )

Psychologists call this counterfactual thinking . While it can lead to regret, it also helps us learn from the past to make better "What Ifs" for our future. The Takeaway Psychologists call this counterfactual thinking

"What If" is a tool for . By imagining a different reality, we can better understand the people living in it. It’s not just a daydream; it’s a rehearsal for a future we haven't built yet.

(The birth of Harry Potter ). 4. The Personal "What If"

Would we have reached the industrial revolution a thousand years earlier?