The Science of 'Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day'—Can Hope Be Proven Mathematically? Thinking Through Positive Thinking × AI × Futurology: [Column] The Science of Thought (Shiko no Kagaku)—Let's Enjoy 'Thinking'! (Part 15)

The Science of Thought Part 15: 'The Science of Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day'

—Can hope be proven mathematically? Thinking through positive thinking × AI × futurology

Three points of this column

• Hope is not just a feeling, but can be scientifically designed from the perspectives of mathematics, psychology, and AI.

• Presents practical methods to increase hope in daily life by utilizing the 'Equation of Hope'.

• In the future, AI may expand hope, potentially realizing a 'society that designs hope'.

1. Introduction: Can 'hope' be created intentionally?

🔹 I asked AI: What does 'tomorrow will surely be a good day' mean?

'Tomorrow will surely be a good day' is a phrase that expresses hope for the future and an optimistic outlook, meaning that even if there are difficulties or anxieties, one believes that tomorrow will be a better day. It is also used in the context of self-improvement and positive psychology as a phrase that encourages forward-thinking.

It is also widely known through the song 'Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day' released in 2015 by the Japanese singer-songwriter Yu Takahashi. This song sings about the importance of continuing to walk while believing that 'tomorrow will surely be a good day' even while carrying the suffering and conflicts of daily life, and I think it gives hope to many people. It is a song that I, the author, also really like.

🔹 Where does 'hope' come from?

One day, I was terribly tired. Chased by work, anxiety about the future crossed my mind. At that time, what happened to be playing was Yu Takahashi's 'Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day'.

Even though they were simple words, my heart felt strangely lighter. Nothing in reality had changed, yet I was able to think, 'Perhaps tomorrow really might be a good day.'

At this moment, I realized. Isn't hope not just an emotion, but something born from believing that 'the future will get better'? If there is a way to scientifically analyze and increase hope, couldn't we create a society where everyone can consciously think, 'Tomorrow will surely be a good day'?

Born from such a question is the fictional science of 'The Science of Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day'. Isn't hope something that is intentionally designable rather than something left to chance?

🔹 When you open the curtains in the morning, how do you feel?

• Some people swell with anticipation, thinking, 'Today is going to be a good day!'

• While others feel, 'Another depressing day has begun.'

What does this difference stem from? Is it just that they happen to be in a good mood? Or is there some clear mechanism to hope?

In this column, we will analyze hope from the perspectives of mathematics, psychology, sociology, and AI, and explore concrete methods for increasing hope. Perhaps we might even be able to scientifically prove that "tomorrow will surely be a better day."

Hope is something created through thought and action. Now, let's work together to solve the "equation of hope."

2. Main Argument: Making Hope Scientific

(1) The Equation of Hope: How Is Hope Determined?

To explain changes in hope, let's consider a "hope function H(t)." It is thought that various factors influence the increase or decrease of hope.

Explanation of Variables

• S: Self-efficacy

  • Whether you can think "I can do it" (higher self-efficacy makes it easier for hope to increase)

• E: Emotional State

  • Whether your mood is good or bad (the more positive the emotion, the easier it is for hope to increase)

• R: Relationships

  • Whether there are people who support you (the stronger the social connections, the easier it is for hope to increase)

• C: Cultural Norms

  • Whether the environment makes it easy to hold onto hope (the stronger the social connections, the easier it is for hope to increase)

• F: Future Expectations

  • Can you have expectations for tomorrow? (The higher the expectations for the future, the more hope increases)

• X: Action

  • Have you taken any good actions? (Taking actions that generate hope increases hope)

• T: Information

  • The influence of negative news (A high volume of negative information (news or social media) decreases hope)

• W: Random Events

  • Unpredictable events (The presence of accidental negative factors (unexpected bad events) decreases hope)

In short, we can see that "hope is not a coincidence, but is determined by a combination of clear factors."

(2) Thinking about hope using differentiation and integration

1. Differentiation: Analyzing the rate of change in hope

Next, to capture the fluctuations in hope, let's express the instantaneous rate of change of hope using differentiation.

• Example: Heard good news, succeeded in a new challenge

• Example: Failed, saw unpleasant news

Furthermore, by considering the acceleration of hope

, we can also see the difference between "when hope rises rapidly" and "when hope plummets."

2. Integration: The accumulation of past hope determines the future

We use integration to consider the total amount of hope.

This means that "the accumulation of past hope influences current hope."

(3) Practical Strategies for Increasing Hope

So, how can we specifically increase hope?
Let's consider ways to increase hope for each variable in the hope equation.

① Enhance Self-Efficacy (S: Self-efficacy)

The stronger the sense that "I can do it," the easier it is to hold onto hope.

✅ Method: Accumulate small successful experiences

• "Study for 10 minutes every day"(Increase the sense of "I can" by making learning a habit)

• "Continue exercising even for 5 minutes a day"(Self-efficacy increases by continuing)

• "Create an easy-to-achieve To-Do list"(Boost self-affirmation by completing tasks)

• "Overcome things you are not good at little by little"(e.g., If you are bad at cooking, start by trying a simple recipe)

② Regulate Emotional State (E: Emotional State)

When you are in a good mood, it is easier to have hope for the future.

✅ Method: Refresh your mood

• "Bathe in the morning sun"(Regulate your internal clock to create a positive mood)

• "Listen to your favorite music"(Hope is born by lifting your mood)

• "Do deep breathing or meditation"(Reduce negative thinking by relaxing)

• "Keep a note of words that encourage yourself"(Look back at it when you feel down)

③ Organize Social Environment (R: Relationships)

Connections with people create hope.

✅ Method: Connect with people who give you hope

• “Talk to people who encourage you” (Positive conversations generate hope)

• “Review who you follow on social media” (Follow positive people rather than those who post negative content)

• “Express gratitude” (Better relationships make it easier to hold onto hope)

• “Join a new community” (New connections create expectations for the future)

④ Utilize culture and values (C: Cultural Norms)

Create an environment where it is easy to have hope.

✅ Method: Adopt positive values

• “Engage with books and movies that have a culture of hope” (Enjoy works themed around hope)

• “Learn about the ways of thinking in countries or regions with positive habits” (e.g., “Adopt the lifestyle habits of optimistic countries”)

• “Incorporate quotes and maxims into your life” (Bring positive words into your daily routine)

• “Place yourself in an environment that values having goals and a vision” (Choose a place with a culture that supports dreams)

⑤ Increase future expectations (F: Future Expectations)

When you have something to look forward to tomorrow, hope is born.

✅ Method: Create something to look forward to tomorrow

• “Decide on a place you want to go this weekend” (Set something to look forward to in the future)

• “Think of a gift for yourself one week from now” (Give your future self something to look forward to)

• “Visualize the progress of your goals” (When you can see progress, it is easier to have hope for the future)

• “Perform a positive future simulation” (Imagine, “This is what I might be like next month”)

⑥ Accumulate actions (X: Action)

Hope is born from action.

✅ Method: Increase actions that generate hope

• “Try one new thing every day” (e.g., walk a new path, go to a new cafe)

• “Increase opportunities to take on challenges” (Learn a new skill, participate in an event)

• “Record your own growth” (Reflect in a diary or notebook)

• “Create positive habits” (Secure time in the morning to do things you like)

⑦ Reduce the influence of negative information (T: Information)

When you are exposed to negative information, hope decreases.

✅ Method: Be selective about information

• “Limit time spent on social media” (Avoid the flood of information)

• “Find ways to manage how you view the news” (Look for positive topics, not just negative news)

• “If you see news that makes you feel down, immediately do something else” (Switch gears quickly)

• “Follow sources of information that give you hope” (Check positive news sites)

⑧ Utilize random elements (W: Random Events)

New experiences can sometimes create unexpected hope.

✅ Method: Challenge yourself with new things

• “Try walking down a path you don’t know” (Unexpected discoveries lead to hope)

• “Read a new book” (New perspectives create hope)

• "Create your own surprises" (Increase the number of unexpected good events)

• "Enjoy chance encounters" (Increase opportunities to talk to new people)

3. The Academic System of "The Study of 'Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day'"

1. Research Purpose

"The Study of 'Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day'" aims to scientifically elucidate how hope is born, maintained, and expanded, and to establish theories and practical methods for individuals and society to design a better future.

• Mathematical modeling of hope (Quantification of the formation mechanism of hope)

• Elucidation of the psychological and sociological effects of hope (Analyzing the impact of hope on behavior and society)

• Practical application of hope (Application to education, medicine, business, and AI design)

2. Research Perspectives and Key Elements

This discipline is studied by crossing various fields such as mathematics, psychology, sociology, futurology, pedagogy, and AI research. We define the following five points as the main perspectives.

1. Mathematical perspective

   • Quantify hope using equations and statistical models, and analyze its fluctuations and effects.

   • Construction of hope equations

   • Differential and integral analysis of hope (rate of change and accumulation of hope)

   • Quantification and measurement methods of the Hope Index

2. Psychological Perspective

   • Explore how hope influences individual emotions and behaviors.

   • The relationship between self-efficacy and hope

   • The correlation between resilience and hope

   • Integration with positive psychology

3. Sociological and Cultural Perspective

   • Analyze how hope is formed and disseminated within social structures and cultures.

   • Cultural and historical transitions of hope

   • The relationship between community and hope

   • The influence of media and information on hope

4. Perspective of Technology and AI

   • Examine how AI can be involved in the formation of hope in the future.

   • Prediction and expansion of hope by AI

   • Design of Hope AI

   • Development of digital platforms to maintain hope

5. Perspective of Practice and Application

   • Develop practical methods to increase hope in real life, not just in theory.

   • Educational curriculum to foster hope

   • Hope management in companies and organizations

   • Utilization of hope in the fields of medicine and welfare

3. Specific Research Themes

• Mathematical Modeling of Hope

  • Optimization of the Hope Equation

  • Measurement of the Hope Index and Its Applications

• Elucidation of the Psychological Mechanisms of Hope

  • The Relationship Between Hope and Stress Resilience

  • Research on the Correlation Between Self-Efficacy and Hope

• The Propagation and Impact of Hope in Society

  • Analysis of Social Structures That Generate Hope

  • Investigation into the Influence of Media on Hope

• The Relationship Between AI and Hope

  • Development of AI for Predicting Hope

  • Designing Digital Platforms to Amplify Hope

• Cultivating Hope in Education

  • Development of Educational Curricula to Foster Hope

  • Measuring the Effectiveness of Resilience Education

• The Relationship Between Economy and Hope

  • The Impact of Hope on Productivity and Economic Growth

  • The Effects of a Positive Mindset on Career Success

4. Example Curriculum for "Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day Studies"

📘 Basic Subjects (1st to 2nd Year Undergraduate)

• Introduction to Hope Studies: What is hope? Examining it from historical, philosophical, and scientific perspectives.

• Mathematical Hope Studies: Learn about the quantification of hope, hope equations, and models of hope fluctuation.

• Positive Psychology: Explore the relationship between optimism and hope, and the psychology of resilience.

• Social Hope Theory: Analyze the impact of hope on society and the cultural factors that generate hope.

• Future Hope Studies: Examine the relationship between future forecasting and hope, and consider positive future design.

📘 Applied Subjects (Undergraduate 3rd–4th Year, Graduate School)

• Data Science of Hope: Conduct measurement and analysis of hope utilizing big data.

• AI and Hope: Learn about the development of AI for predicting hope and interaction design that generates hope.

• Hope Management: Explore methods for maintaining and amplifying hope within organizations and society.

• Hope Education Theory: Consider the cultivation of hope in school education and methods for resilience education.

📘 Practical Subjects (Graduate School/Specialized Programs)

• Hope Design Workshop: Implement practical projects to create hope.

• Hope AI Project: Engage in the development of AI that learns about and supports hope.

• Social Implementation of Hope: Practice proposals for social policies that increase hope and experimental approaches.

4. The Future of "Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day Studies"—Coexistence with AI Expands Hope

Until now, human hope has largely depended on individual experience and environment. However, in the future, an era may come where AI actively participates in the formation and maintenance of hope. While utilizing mathematical models of hope, let's consider how AI can support people's belief that "tomorrow will surely be a good day."

1. Monitoring and Feedback of Hope

AI can measure changes in hope in real-time and provide appropriate feedback. For example, if there were an AI assistant that measured a "Hope Index," you could visually check your hope level, and it might suggest necessary actions.

💡 Feasible AI Technologies

• Calculating Hope Scores: Analyze a user's daily emotions, behaviors, and conversation history to display a hope index.

• Individually Optimized Encouragement: An AI that makes suggestions such as, "Your hope level has been dropping lately. Why not plan something fun for the weekend?"

• Reminders of Positive Experiences: Learn from data on moments when hope increased in the past and provide reminders like, "Listening to this song should lift your spirits."

By functioning as a "Hope Tracker", AI could help you develop the habit of designing hope for yourself.

2. "Hope Expansion" via AI

People hold hope within the scope of what they know. However, AI might be able to present "possibilities for hope you don't know yet" from vast amounts of data.

💡 How AI Expands Hope

• "Future Simulation AI"
  → Shows future predictions such as, "If you make this choice now, this kind of future might be waiting for you in a year."

• "Curation of Positive Information"
  → Prevents social media and news from being biased toward negative information and suggests balanced, positive topics.

• "Generation of Hope Models"
  → AI analyzes how people in similar circumstances to yours have found hope and provides stories.

For example, if an AI told you, "People in a situation similar to yours found it easier to have hope by taking these actions," wouldn't it be easier to find better options?

3. "Emotional Design" of AI that Generates Hope

Current AI is good at processing data, but there is still room for development in "emotional care." Future AI is expected to incorporate the following "Human-like Dialogue Design" to generate hope.

💡 Possibilities for Emotionally Supportive AI

• "Empathy-based AI Assistant"
  → Uses past data to encourage you, saying, "That was tough today. But you've overcome similar situations before, haven't you?"

• "Storytelling AI"
  → Provides opportunities to have hope through stories. (e.g., introducing "how someone in the same situation overcame difficulties")

• "Self-Dialogue AI"
  → Asks, "How are you feeling today?" and creates an opportunity to generate hope by deepening self-awareness.

Through such AI evolution, it will become possible not only to monitor hope but also to "design conversations that increase hope."

4. Toward a Society Where Humans and AI Together "Design Hope"

AI is not omnipotent. However, by combining it with the "emotions" and "experiences" that humans possess, there is a possibility that new forms of generating hope can be created.

Human Strengths: Learning through emotion, creativity, and experience
AI Strengths: Data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive capabilities

In a society that combines both, the "Study of 'Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day'" may develop further, and scientifically designing hope may become a world that is taken for granted.

5. Future Outlook: The Impact of the "Study of 'Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day'" on Society

✅ Individual Changes

• Understand the mechanisms of hope and become able to control your own hope.

• Improve stress tolerance and strengthen resilience against difficulties.

• Learn methods to utilize AI to maintain and amplify hope.

✅ Societal Changes

• Enable the design of social systems and policies that make it easier to hold onto hope.

• Develop new technologies where AI supports people's hope.

• Educate on how to hold onto hope and foster a more positive view of the future.

5. Summary: "Hope Can Be Designed"

Hope is not "just an emotion," but rather something that can be intentionally designed, isn't it?

✅ "Hope Design" Actions You Can Take Right Now

1. "Write down three good things from today"

2. "Send a positive message to your future self" (e.g., "To myself in one week: I'm looking forward to your little bit of growth!")

3. "Take 10 seconds to breathe deeply while chanting 'Tomorrow will surely be a good day'"

You can generate hope yourself.
Believing that "tomorrow will surely be a good day" is already the first step in creating hope.

Afterword

--Toward a Future of Designing Hope

Through "Studies on Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day," we have explored how hope is not merely an emotion, but something that can be scientifically designed. By considering the "equation of hope" from the perspectives of mathematics, psychology, and AI, haven't we begun to see ways to design a more positive future?

Furthermore, this column was constructed utilizing generative AI (ChatGPT). The very attempt to use AI to think about hope symbolizes the co-creation between AI and humans in the future. In the future, AI may become a partner that generates hope and expands our thinking. "Technology that generates hope" will be the key to building a better society.

Believing that "tomorrow will surely be a good day" is the first step in designing hope.Let's continue to deepen our "Studies on Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day" together.