The worst cases of 'aged like milk' content has to be predictions. They are usually made by observing the past changes and often assuming the most likely trajectory it will continue progressing towards. They can be related to anything, from finance to political matters. Many professionals around the globe specialize in making accurate forecasts, such as business and political strategists, as well as journalists. However, they are not always correct. 

In hindsight, many predictions can seem so wildly wrong even though at the time they were made, there was a chance something like that was possible. A paper on detrimental thinking patterns about the future, a.k.a. future fallacies, agrees with that. In it, the scientist Ivana Milojevic states: “Given how many predictions are made on a daily basis, it is always possible to find some that have, in retrospect, been shown to be true. At the same time, it is also always possible to find even more that have been off the mark.”

The problem with such predictions is that if genuine warnings do miss the mark, people are less likely to believe in them next time. A good way to avoid this is to drop the overconfidence when talking about the future possibilities. Add a disclaimer that whatever you’re talking about is a prediction, not a concrete fact. As readers, we also should try avoiding forecasts of know-it-all experts that are completely set on their outlooks. Instead, try to find sources that admit that things can go many different ways.

Another future fallacy discussed in the same paper is being overly optimistic about your personal future. As in, thinking that the world will be going down the drain in the future, but you’ll be perfectly fine. A great example of it is someone who gloats when everyone else is being laid off because they believe it will not happen to them. Of course, eventually, their turn comes as well and they are flabbergasted and devastated.

We all do that, though. We tend to believe that our lives will turn out just fine, which, on one hand, is a great coping mechanism. When a situation turns sour and we break up, falter on our career path, or experience financial insecurity, we tend to believe things will turn around at some point. However, when taken to an extreme, this positive outlook can turn into denial.

The same kind of optimism fallacy can be seen when looking at posts that mention how many different dangerous materials were added to various beauty products back in the day. You think the moment people found out about how dangerous mercury, radium, and arsenic are, they must have shivered in horror and chucked every product that they had with it. However, of course, that wasn’t a thing. 

People found out about many dangers of these products by the turn of the 20th century and still continued to use them. The possible reason why consumers didn’t give up on beloved but dangerous products was that it was implied that the real danger is long-time use. Many assumed using it only a little bit here and there will probably not do much harm. Optimistic, right?

The same optimism seems to kick in with consumers these days. There are still many people who use tanning salons, even though many studies have proven their harm. People haven’t given up on smoking, they drink diet drinks with artificial sweeteners, and use non-stick pans with forever chemicals. In other words, we can’t help but be optimistic.

One way to combat that kind of individualistic optimism is to promote the idea of interconnection between everybody. We all rely on one another to create a better future and we will either thrive or suffer together. Researchers also suggest using exposure to show that individuals are not immune to society’s fate. So, in a way, this list is a social contribution to the greater good.