Futurevision: scenarios for the world in 2040

Description

Will relentless consumerism end up destroying our planet? Or can science and technology allow us to innovate our way out of trouble? Perhaps a greater social consciousness and community-based living will take over - or, conversely, the competition for limited resources may result in everyone fighting for themselves. Using these 'four seeable futures', Richard Watson and Oliver Freeman invite us to critically examine the risks and opportunities to come. They discuss the key factors and trends that led them to develop these scenarios, guiding us to a greater awareness of longer-term issues and decisions, and empowering us not only to adapt to what might happen but also to shape our future and generate change. It's impossible to know for certain what the future holds, but we can remove some of its surprises by engaging in a meaningful debate about the choices we face now. This book shows us how.

Oliver Freeman is a career publisher as well as the co-founder, futurist, and leading scenario planner at the Neville Freeman Agency.

'In 2040, shops will talk to you before you even enter them. Your reputation will precede you like a criminal record and the world you move through will be covered in smart dust ... If you want to know more about what life will be like in 2040, this analysis of four major scenarios [is] highly readable, entertaining, thought-provoking and full of informed forecasts it would be foolish to ignore.' -- Caroline Baum 'Thought-provoking glimpses into the future of humankind, with practical advice for uncovering and evaluating the most realistic visions of that future.' -- Curt Stager, author of Deep Future: the next 100,000 years of life on Earth 'A rich, provocative, imaginative, and rigorous guide to thinking about the future' -- Peter Schwartz, futurist and co-founder of the Global Business Network 'Gaze into this crystal ball.' * Qantas magazine * 'Reads like a slick business lecture but also draws on such diverse sources as E.M. Forster and Blaise Pascal.' * The Age * 'An intelligent and thought-provoking read' * Yen * 'The new classic of scenario planning' -- Adam Kahane, director of Reos Partners, author of Solving Tough Problems, Power and Love, and Collaborating with the Enemy 'The scenarios are richly described and I suspect they will challenge your mental model of the world in 2040 ... FutureVision caused me to ponder my own views of the future ... a first-class example of solid foresight work.' -- Andy Hines, Program Coordinator at the University of Houston's Graduate Program in Foresight