The Myth of the Single Future

The source text critiques the **cultural myth of a single, predetermined future**, arguing that society places undue emphasis on linear, institutional paths, such as Ivy League acceptances, as the sole guarantees of success. It asserts that this **"categorical thinking"** breeds anxiety and stifles imagination, contrasting the predictable, safe trajectory with the messy, nonlinear, and improvisational nature of actual human experience. By drawing parallels to **epic myths and adventure stories**, the author champions uncertainty and "wandering" as the genuine sources of originality and depth, suggesting that true potential emerges from plot twists and detours rather than a rigid, pre-written script. Ultimately, the text advocates for a view of life as having **"futures—plural,"** where meaning is built through chaotic exploration, not conferred by institutional prestige.