Precognition in Popular Culture

Precognition is a popular idea in the present culture, as it has been in cultures of the past. Historically, individuals who possessed the ability to see into the future were either respected and venerated or scorned and isolated. Sages, mystics, mediums, and diviners enjoyed the reputation as sources of guidance and counsel in times of wars and disasters such as famines and floods.

The acceptance of precognition in popular culture is evident in the patronage of horoscopes and psychic hotlines. Psychics, mediums, and seers continue to make thriving business with their own radio and TV shows, and even popular celebrities and politicians consult psychics and seers for spiritual counsel from time to time. Year-ender programs on television frequently feature the predictions of psychics and mediums for the following year.

The idea of precognition and individuals who are able to see the future are also popular in books, movies, and TV shows. Prime examples are the characters in the popular fiction novels of Phillip K. Dick, the author of Next, which was eventually adapted into a movie starring Nicholas Cage. Another popular movie, Minority Report, was based on a story written by Dick, In the movie, which starred Tom Cruise, three human precogs were used by the US law enforcement to prevent crimes from happening by way of using their visions to tract down and apprehend potential criminals.

The novels of authors Stephen King and Kay Hooper also contain references to precognition. This is also true in the "Twilight" series by Stephanie Meyer. One of the vampires, Alice Cullen, also possesses the ability to see the future.

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