Why do so few people still believe in a better future? This talk explores how experiences of crisis, social uncertainty, and declining trust in political and technological progress shape – or even erode – our visions of the future. It examines the conditions under which digitisation can contribute to a future worth living. Rather than treating technological development as an end in itself, the talk argues that it must be evaluated according to its contribution to the common good: whether it strengthens social participation, distributes opportunities and risks fairly, protects human freedom, and enables people collectively to shape their future.