Blogs

Hi, I’m a Robot and I’m Here To Take Your Job

One common fallacy is that people are being replaced by machines. The reality is that machines don’t work without humans. A more accurate description is that a large number of people are being replaced by a smaller number of people using machines.

Help Futurists: BetaLaunch Alumni Cyber-hero League Get Ready To Launch!

Futurists: BetaLaunch, THE FUTURIST magazine's invention and idea expo, is entering its third year and will be part of the opening night event at WorldFuture 2013. We'll be updating you soon on the BetaLaunch winners that will be showcasing their startups and inventions this July in Chicago. Right now, we would like to catch you up on one of our alumni, the Cyberhero League, an anti-bulling, pro-future game platform that teaches responsibility, sustainability, and civic-mindedness.

Scenarios for the future of urban farming

Over many centuries, attempts have been made to get food production out of the cities. Produce comes from the land and is transported into the cities. In most western cities, abattoirs have disappeared. Markets are still there, but no longer have a central role in our shopping.

Coca-Cola Blurs the Line between Virtual and Real

In this uplifting video from Coca-Cola (click here), consumers in India and Pakistan are treated to a free Coke, provided they interact with their neighbors using a virtual interface on a high-tech vending machine.

Star Trek Into Darkness: Eye Candy For The Amygdala

Star Trek Into Darkness: Eye candy for the amygdala. Yes, this is another Hollywood blockbuster depicting a dystopian future with big explosions and small innovations. However, the first ten minutes are worth the price of the ticket. I was pleasantly surprised to see J.J. Abrams using the Ancient Aliens theory and a huge wink to author Zecharia Sitchin's work in the opening scene located on the fictional (depending on who you ask) world of Nibiru.

Investing in the Future of Regenerative Medicine

Spray-on skin. Lab-grown ears. Human tissue grown in a petri dish. We're going deep into sci-fi territory (and it is already happening).

World Future Review

In the Current Issue:

  • Major Sea Level Rise: How Likely, How Soon?, by Michael Marien
  • The Future of American Higher Education, by John Dew
  • Prosperity and Happiness, by Gioietta Kuo
  • Infertility in Star Trek, by Victor Grech
  • Featured Futurists: Interviews with Jonathan Caulkins and Sarah Hartley

The Futurist

In the May-June 2013 (Vol. 47, No. 3) Issue:

  • Pop Goes the Algorithm
  • Robots at Work: Toward a Smarter Factory
  • Highly Human Jobs
  • Women 2020: Our Selves, Our Worlds, Our Futures
  • Healthier Foresight Diets

WorldFuture 2013 Conference

WorldFuture 2013

Meet these thought-provoking futurists at the World Future Society's annual conference:

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Stephen Aguilar-Millan

Stephen Aguilar-Millan (@eufo) is director of research at the European Futures Observatory, a member of the World Future Society Global Advisory Council, a former board member of the Association of Professional Futurists, and president of the WFS Europe Chapter, Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom

Read: Will We Still Have Money In 2100?

portrait of Heather Schlegel
Heather Schlegel

Heather Schlegel (@heathervescent) is a futurist, technologist, and cacophonist. Schlegel is most recently known for her design futures video work with Innotribe, the Innovation Division of Swift. Known by her online presence, heathervescent, and her consultancy, The Purple Tornado, she explores the intersection of technology, culture, and identity. Schlegel's academic research focuses on the future of transactions and complementary currencies, including the impact of technology on identity creation; member, Association of Professional Futurists, West Hollywood, California, USA (see also Best of Houston Futures)

portrait of Mark D. Waterhouse
Mark D. Waterhouse

Mark D. Waterhouse (moderator) is president of Garnet Consulting Services, Inc., an economic development consulting firm. He is a certified economic developer, has served as chair of International Economic Development Council (IEDC); former dean of Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute (OU/EDI), president of Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS), Pleasant Valley, Connecticut, USA

Scott Gibbs is president of the Economic Development Foudation of Rhode Island, Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA

George L. Robertson is president, Kosciusko EDC, and has spent 30 years in economic development at all levels, Warsaw, Indiana, USA

Rick Smyre is president, Center for Communities of the Future, Gastonia, North Carolina, USA (see also: Young Professionals for Community Transformation)

portrait of Scott Gibbs
Scott Gibbs

Mark D. Waterhouse (moderator) is president of Garnet Consulting Services, Inc., an economic development consulting firm. He is a certified economic developer, has served as chair of International Economic Development Council (IEDC); former dean of Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute (OU/EDI), president of Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS), Pleasant Valley, Connecticut, USA

Scott Gibbs is president of the Economic Development Foudation of Rhode Island, Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA

George L. Robertson is president, Kosciusko EDC, and has spent 30 years in economic development at all levels, Warsaw, Indiana, USA

Rick Smyre is president, Center for Communities of the Future, Gastonia, North Carolina, USA (see also: Young Professionals for Community Transformation)

portrait of George L. Robertson
George L. Robertson

Mark D. Waterhouse (moderator) is president of Garnet Consulting Services, Inc., an economic development consulting firm. He is a certified economic developer, has served as chair of International Economic Development Council (IEDC); former dean of Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute (OU/EDI), president of Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS), Pleasant Valley, Connecticut, USA

Scott Gibbs is president of the Economic Development Foudation of Rhode Island, Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA

George L. Robertson is president, Kosciusko EDC, and has spent 30 years in economic development at all levels, Warsaw, Indiana, USA

Rick Smyre is president, Center for Communities of the Future, Gastonia, North Carolina, USA (see also: Young Professionals for Community Transformation)

portrait of Rick Smyre
Rick Smyre

Mark D. Waterhouse (moderator) is president of Garnet Consulting Services, Inc., an economic development consulting firm. He is a certified economic developer, has served as chair of International Economic Development Council (IEDC); former dean of Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute (OU/EDI), president of Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS), Pleasant Valley, Connecticut, USA

Scott Gibbs is president of the Economic Development Foudation of Rhode Island, Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA

George L. Robertson is president, Kosciusko EDC, and has spent 30 years in economic development at all levels, Warsaw, Indiana, USA

Rick Smyre is president, Center for Communities of the Future, Gastonia, North Carolina, USA (see also: Young Professionals for Community Transformation)

portrait of Emily Empel
Emily Empel

Emily Empel (@localrat) is a trend spotter, marketing disciple and corporate futurist; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Winter Park, Florida, USA

portrait of Shelly Brenckman
Shelly Brenckman

Shelly Brenckman (@ShellyBrenckman) is a former engineering major, now business major. Employed by Aggie Angel Network, and also as a student worker in Startup Aggieland, College Station, Texas

Nick Spiller (2013@utexas.edu) Nick is an English major. He has launched two startups in Austin as a student and created the successful UT Entrepreneurship Week, Austin, Texas, USA

portrait of Nick Spiller
Nick Spiller

Shelly Brenckman (@ShellyBrenckman) is a former engineering major, now business major. Employed by Aggie Angel Network, and also as a student worker in Startup Aggieland, College Station, Texas

Nick Spiller (2013@utexas.edu) Nick is an English major. He has launched two startups in Austin as a student and created the successful UT Entrepreneurship Week, Austin, Texas, USA

portrait of Rex Miller
Rex Miller

Rex Miller is a nationally respected futurist, consultant, speaker, and architecture, engineering, and construction industry expert; author, The Commercial Real Estate Revolution; founder, case4space initiative, Southlake, Texas, USA

Erland Wittkotter is a mathematician/physicist, an investor, inventor-entrepreneur holding several European and American patents, Henderson, Nevada, USA

portrait of Mylena Pierremont
Mylena Pierremont

Mylena Pierremont is a board member of the World Future Society and president of Ming Pai Consulting BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Robert Salmon is a member of the Global Advisory Council, World Future Society; former vice president, L’Oreal; and author, Valais, Switzerland

Annette Nijs Annette Nijs is macro-economist and executive director Global Initiative, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Shanghai, China

Carine De Meyere, Switzerland

Christopher H. Cordey is a foresight adviser and academic specialist in Corporate Sustainability and Change Management, CEO of Futuratinow.com and founding director of the Sustainable Luxury Forum, and member, Association of Professional Futurists (APF), Geneva, Switzerland

portrait of Robert Salmon
Robert Salmon

Mylena Pierremont is a board member of the World Future Society and president of Ming Pai Consulting BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Robert Salmon is a member of the Global Advisory Council, World Future Society; former vice president, L’Oreal; and author, Valais, Switzerland

Annette Nijs Annette Nijs is macro-economist and executive director Global Initiative, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Shanghai, China

Carine De Meyere, Switzerland

Christopher H. Cordey is a foresight adviser and academic specialist in Corporate Sustainability and Change Management, CEO of Futuratinow.com and founding director of the Sustainable Luxury Forum, and member, Association of Professional Futurists (APF), Geneva, Switzerland

portrait of Annette Nijs
Annette Nijs

Mylena Pierremont is a board member of the World Future Society and president of Ming Pai Consulting BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Robert Salmon is a member of the Global Advisory Council, World Future Society; former vice president, L’Oreal; and author, Valais, Switzerland

Annette Nijs Annette Nijs is macro-economist and executive director Global Initiative, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Shanghai, China

Carine De Meyere, Switzerland

Christopher H. Cordey is a foresight adviser and academic specialist in Corporate Sustainability and Change Management, CEO of Futuratinow.com and founding director of the Sustainable Luxury Forum, and member, Association of Professional Futurists (APF), Geneva, Switzerland

portrait of Carine De Meyere
Carine De Meyere

Mylena Pierremont is a board member of the World Future Society and president of Ming Pai Consulting BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Robert Salmon is a member of the Global Advisory Council, World Future Society; former vice president, L’Oreal; and author, Valais, Switzerland

Annette Nijs Annette Nijs is macro-economist and executive director Global Initiative, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Shanghai, China

Carine De Meyere, Switzerland

Christopher H. Cordey is a foresight adviser and academic specialist in Corporate Sustainability and Change Management, CEO of Futuratinow.com and founding director of the Sustainable Luxury Forum, and member, Association of Professional Futurists (APF), Geneva, Switzerland

portrait of Christopher H. Cordey
Christopher H. Cordey

Mylena Pierremont is a board member of the World Future Society and president of Ming Pai Consulting BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Robert Salmon is a member of the Global Advisory Council, World Future Society; former vice president, L’Oreal; and author, Valais, Switzerland

Annette Nijs Annette Nijs is macro-economist and executive director Global Initiative, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Shanghai, China

Carine De Meyere, Switzerland

Christopher H. Cordey is a foresight adviser and academic specialist in Corporate Sustainability and Change Management, CEO of Futuratinow.com and founding director of the Sustainable Luxury Forum, and member, Association of Professional Futurists (APF), Geneva, Switzerland

portrait of Ari Popper
Ari Popper

Ari Popper is the CEO of SciFutures, a creative futures agency that uses SF storytelling to help companies manifest disruptive long term innovations, Ojai, California, USA

portrait of Paul Winghart
Paul Winghart

Paul Winghart is a senior fixed income strategist for a global wealth management company, serves as adjunct professor of business for a Bethel University, St, Paul, Minnesota, USA

portrait of Robert Moran
Robert Moran

Robert Moran (@robertpmoran) is partner in the Brunswick Group and leads Brunswick Insight in the Americas. He frequently speaks and writes on market research and data-driven decision making, Fairfax, Virginia, USA (see also)

Christopher Carfi (@ccarfi) is vice president of Platform Products at Swipp Inc., a veteran of both startups and the enterprise. Mr. Carfi has a deep track record in customer advocacy, most recently at Ant’s Eye View and Edelman Digital. Prior to Edelman, he was a co-founder and CEO at Cerado, Mountain View, Colorado, USA

portrait of Christopher Carfi
Christopher Carfi

Robert Moran (@robertpmoran) is partner in the Brunswick Group and leads Brunswick Insight in the Americas. He frequently speaks and writes on market research and data-driven decision making, Fairfax, Virginia, USA (see also)

Christopher Carfi (@ccarfi) is vice president of Platform Products at Swipp Inc., a veteran of both startups and the enterprise. Mr. Carfi has a deep track record in customer advocacy, most recently at Ant’s Eye View and Edelman Digital. Prior to Edelman, he was a co-founder and CEO at Cerado, Mountain View, Colorado, USA

portrait of Ed Gordon
portrait of Ed Gordon

Ed Gordon is president of Imperial Consulting in Chicago and Palm Desert, California. He is an economic historian, noted expert on workforce development, and author of the forthcoming book Future Jobs: Solving the Employment and Skills Crisis (Praeger, September 2013), Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Brenda Cooper

Brenda Cooper is a technology professional, a science-fiction writer, and a public speaker who lives in the Pacific Northwest. She is associated with Futurist.com.

Read: Where the Wild Things Are Not

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Tsvi Bisk

Tsvi Bisk is director of the Center for Strategic Futurist Thinking and author of two books and over 100 articles and essays, Kfar Saba, Israel

Read: 2099: Headlines Warn of Global Cooling

(see also C-4 Introduction to Strategic Futurist Thinking)

portrait of Peter Bishop
Peter Bishop

Peter C. Bishop is an associate professor of Strategic Foresight and director of the graduate program in Futures Studies at the University of Houston. He is co-author of Thinking about the Future: Guidelines for Strategic Foresight (2007), and Teaching about the Future: The Basics of Foresight Education (2012); member, Association of Professional Futurists, Houston, Texas, USA (see also C-1 Futuring: An Introduction to Futures Studies)

Amy Glynn, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Jim Breaux, Houston, Texas, USA (see also Starting Integral: Visioning and a New STEEP)

Sean Daken, Boulder, Colorado, USA

Heather Schlegel, Los Angelos, CA, USA (see also A Possibility Tour)

portrait of Jim Breaux
Jim Breaux

Peter C. Bishop is an associate professor of Strategic Foresight and director of the graduate program in Futures Studies at the University of Houston. He is co-author of Thinking about the Future: Guidelines for Strategic Foresight (2007), and Teaching about the Future: The Basics of Foresight Education (2012); member, Association of Professional Futurists, Houston, Texas, USA (see also C-1 Futuring: An Introduction to Futures Studies)

Amy Glynn, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Jim Breaux, Houston, Texas, USA (see also Starting Integral: Visioning and a New STEEP)

Sean Daken, Boulder, Colorado, USA

Heather Schlegel, Los Angelos, CA, USA (see also A Possibility Tour)

portrait of Heather Schlegel
Heather Schlegel

Peter C. Bishop is an associate professor of Strategic Foresight and director of the graduate program in Futures Studies at the University of Houston. He is co-author of Thinking about the Future: Guidelines for Strategic Foresight (2007), and Teaching about the Future: The Basics of Foresight Education (2012); member, Association of Professional Futurists, Houston, Texas, USA (see also C-1 Futuring: An Introduction to Futures Studies)

Amy Glynn, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Jim Breaux, Houston, Texas, USA (see also Starting Integral: Visioning and a New STEEP)

Sean Daken, Boulder, Colorado, USA

Heather Schlegel, Los Angelos, CA, USA (see also A Possibility Tour)

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Janice Bryant

Janice Bryant is a farmer, futurist, orator, and a special project manager for the U.S. Navy. For the last two years, she has hosted hour-long sessions at the Mother Earth News Fair, Longbranch, Washington, USA

portrait of Gary Marx
Gary Marx

Gary Marx, president of the Center for Public Outreach, an author, trends observer, keynote speaker, and leadership councilor, who has addressed audiences on six continents, Vienna, Virginia, USA

Matthew Moen, past president of the national Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences, dean, University of South Dakota, an author, innovator, and speaker, Vermillion, South, Dakota, USA

James E. Woods, noted environmental scientist and engineer, consultant, professor, and worldwide authority on sustainability issues in the natural and built environment, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

portrait of Matthew Moen
Matthew Moen

Gary Marx, president of the Center for Public Outreach, an author, trends observer, keynote speaker, and leadership councilor, who has addressed audiences on six continents, Vienna, Virginia, USA

Matthew Moen, past president of the national Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences, dean, University of South Dakota, an author, innovator, and speaker, Vermillion, South, Dakota, USA

James E. Woods, noted environmental scientist and engineer, consultant, professor, and worldwide authority on sustainability issues in the natural and built environment, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

portrait of James Woods
James Woods

Gary Marx, president of the Center for Public Outreach, an author, trends observer, keynote speaker, and leadership councilor, who has addressed audiences on six continents, Vienna, Virginia, USA

Matthew Moen, past president of the national Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences, dean, University of South Dakota, an author, innovator, and speaker, Vermillion, South, Dakota, USA

James E. Woods, noted environmental scientist and engineer, consultant, professor, and worldwide authority on sustainability issues in the natural and built environment, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

portrait of Roland Rizoulieres
Roland Rizoulieres

Roland Rizoulieres is a senior lecturer on prospective forecasting and is a development expert at Sciences Po Aix, Marseille, PACA, France

portrait of David Bengston
David Bengston

David N. Bengston is a research social scientist with the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Forest Resources and the Graduate Program in Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota. In 2004, Dr. Bengston was an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Research Fellow at Seoul National University, Republic of Korea. His current research focuses on environmental futures, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA (see also New Frontiers in Public Sector Foresight)

Co-Researchers

Robert L. Olson is a senior fellow at the Institute for Alternative Futures (IAF), he worked extensively on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental futures program and is the author of numerous futures publications, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Leif A. DeVaney is a PhD candidate in the Conservation Biology Program with a minor in Philosophy at the University of Minnesota. He is broadly interested in philosophy of conservation and the interactions of wildlife, humans, and technology. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Kristen C. Nelson is professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota. Her research interests focus on community-level analysis of institutions and organizations involved in resource conservation and development, collaboration and conflict in environmental planning and management, and social capital and resource mobilization, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

portrait of Cynthia Wagner
Cynthia Wagner

Cynthia G. Wagner (@WorldFutureSoc) is editor of The Futurist magazine and has been with the World Future Society since 1981. Among her credits are a variety of articles and book reviews and editorship of the e-mail newsletter Futurist Update and of several editions of the annual conference volume. Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Erica Orange (@ErOrange)is a vice president of Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc. (WEB), one of the world’s leading futurist consulting firms. WEB identifies social, economic, political and technological trends, and evaluates the implications of those trends for many of the world’s largest companies, government agencies and trade associations, New York, New York, USA (see also Cultural Shifts Among Global Youth Part Four)

portrait of Erica Orange
Erica Orange

Cynthia G. Wagner (@WorldFutureSoc) is editor of The Futurist magazine and has been with the World Future Society since 1981. Among her credits are a variety of articles and book reviews and editorship of the e-mail newsletter Futurist Update and of several editions of the annual conference volume. Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Erica Orange (@ErOrange)is a vice president of Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc. (WEB), one of the world’s leading futurist consulting firms. WEB identifies social, economic, political and technological trends, and evaluates the implications of those trends for many of the world’s largest companies, government agencies and trade associations, New York, New York, USA (see also Cultural Shifts Among Global Youth Part Four)

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Glen Hiemstra

Glen Hiemstra is the founder of Futurist.com. An internationally acclaimed expert on long-range trends and creating the preferred future, Glen has advised professional, business, and governmental organizations for two decades and served as a technical advisor for futuristic television programs. He is the author of Turning the Future into Revenue: What Businesses and Individuals Need to Know to Shape Their Future and co-author of Strategic Leadership: Achieving your Preferred Future, Kirkland, Washington, USA

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Clem Bezold

Clem Bezold is chairman and senior futurist, Institute for Alternative Futures, and recipient of the World Future Society's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Alexandria, Virginia, USA (see also C-3: Wiser Futures)

portrait of Terry Collins
Terry Collins

Terry Collins is a futures consultant and a lecturer at the University of Houston who has appeared on Great Day Houston talking about foresight and technology. She is co-author of The Evolution of Integral Futures, World Future Review; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Houston, Texas, USA

James Breaux is graduate student of futures studies at the University of Houston, a registered professional engineer, and a student member of the Association of Professional Futurists, World Future Society, and World Futures Studies Federation, Baytown, Texas, USA (See also The Best of Houston)

portrait of James Breaux
James Breaux

Terry Collins is a futures consultant and a lecturer at the University of Houston who has appeared on Great Day Houston talking about foresight and technology. She is co-author of The Evolution of Integral Futures, World Future Review; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Houston, Texas, USA

James Breaux is graduate student of futures studies at the University of Houston, a registered professional engineer, and a student member of the Association of Professional Futurists, World Future Society, and World Futures Studies Federation, Baytown, Texas, USA (See also The Best of Houston)

portrait of Yvette Salvatico
Yvette Salvatico

Yvette Montero Salvatico (@ymsalvatico) has over 15 years of corporate experience with large, multinational firms such as Kimberly-Clark and the Walt Disney Company. Before becoming a partner at Kedge, she led the effort to establish Future Workforce Insights at the Walt Disney Company, identifying future workforce trends and leveraging foresight models and techniques to assess potential threats, impacts, emerging ideas, and opportunities for the organization; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Kissimmee, Florida, USA

Frank Spencer (@frankspencer) is founder of the foresight, innovation and strategic design firm Kedge. Prior to that, he worked for 15 years as a leadership coach and developer with entrepreneurs, start-ups, social communities and SMEs. Frank has a strong background in both business and academic foresight, having worked on strategic foresight projects for institutions such as Kraft, Mars, Marriott, Duke University and The Walt Disney Company. He is a prolific speaker, having delivered presentations to various groups and conferences over the last 20 years on topics such as leadership development, the importance of developing the skill of futures thinking, creating environments of foresight in businesses & organizations, recognizing emerging trends and issues, identifying unseen opportunities, reaching aspirations and preferred futures, networking, talent management, work, technology, and social innovation; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Savannah, Georgia, USA

portrait of Frank Spencer
Frank Spencer

Yvette Montero Salvatico (@ymsalvatico) has over 15 years of corporate experience with large, multinational firms such as Kimberly-Clark and the Walt Disney Company. Before becoming a partner at Kedge, she led the effort to establish Future Workforce Insights at the Walt Disney Company, identifying future workforce trends and leveraging foresight models and techniques to assess potential threats, impacts, emerging ideas, and opportunities for the organization; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Kissimmee, Florida, USA

Frank Spencer (@frankspencer) is founder of the foresight, innovation and strategic design firm Kedge. Prior to that, he worked for 15 years as a leadership coach and developer with entrepreneurs, start-ups, social communities and SMEs. Frank has a strong background in both business and academic foresight, having worked on strategic foresight projects for institutions such as Kraft, Mars, Marriott, Duke University and The Walt Disney Company. He is a prolific speaker, having delivered presentations to various groups and conferences over the last 20 years on topics such as leadership development, the importance of developing the skill of futures thinking, creating environments of foresight in businesses & organizations, recognizing emerging trends and issues, identifying unseen opportunities, reaching aspirations and preferred futures, networking, talent management, work, technology, and social innovation; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Savannah, Georgia, USA

portrait of Sandy Thomas
Sandy Thomas

Sandy Thomas is the head of Foresight in the Government Office for Science, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills; former director, Nuffield Council on Bioethics, London, United Kingdom

portrait of Greg Van Alstyne
Greg Van Alstyne

Greg Van Alstyne (@gregvan) is associate professor of design and co-founder of Strategic Innovation Lab at OCAD University, Toronto, Canada. On the EFO project, he was a member of sLab's team from OCAD U's Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

portrait of Karen Sands
Karen Sands

Karen Sands is a practicing futurist, certified gerontologist, and author of Visionaries Have Wrinkles (2012), Ageless (2013), and recently released A Glimpse of Tomorrow’s Promise, The Everyday Futurist’s Report. Publisher of the monthly eletter Future Works® Gazette and regularly posts articles on her blog(s); member, Association of Professional Futurists, Roxbury, Connecticut, USA

portrait of Edie Weiner
Edie Weiner

Edie Weiner (moderator) is President, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., New York, New York, USA

Arnold Brown is chairman, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., New York, New York, USA

Jared Weiner is a Vice President, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., board member of World Future Society, New York, New York, USA (see also Cultural Shifts Among Global Youth Part Four)

portrait of  Arnold Brown
Arnold Brown

Edie Weiner (moderator) is President, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., New York, New York, USA

Arnold Brown is chairman, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., New York, New York, USA

Jared Weiner is a Vice President, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., board member of World Future Society, New York, New York, USA (see also Cultural Shifts Among Global Youth Part Four)

portrait of Jared Weiner
Jared Weiner

Edie Weiner (moderator) is President, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., New York, New York, USA

Arnold Brown is chairman, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., New York, New York, USA

Jared Weiner is a Vice President, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., board member of World Future Society, New York, New York, USA (see also Cultural Shifts Among Global Youth Part Four)

portrait of Ken Hunter
Ken Hunter

Ken Hunter (moderator) is chair of the World Future Society Board, senior fellow, Maryland China Initiative, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

Zhouying Jin is director, Center for Technology Innovation and Strategic Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China (see also: Professional Members Forum)

Eric Meade (respondent) is vice president and senior futurist at the Institute for Alternative Futures and serves on the board of directors of Counterpart International; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Alexandria, Virginia, USA (see also:The Wisdom Web: Global Governance in 2100)
Riel Miller (@RielM)(respondent) currently works for the directorates of economics, OECD; he is a former senior manager of Ontario public service (Ministry of Finance, Universities, and Industry) and is the founder of xperidox, Paris, France, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada (see also: Insider's Guide to Foresight Consulting)

portrait of Zhouying Jin
Zhouying Jin

Ken Hunter (moderator) is chair of the World Future Society Board, senior fellow, Maryland China Initiative, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

Zhouying Jin is director, Center for Technology Innovation and Strategic Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China (see also: Professional Members Forum)

Eric Meade (respondent) is vice president and senior futurist at the Institute for Alternative Futures and serves on the board of directors of Counterpart International; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Alexandria, Virginia, USA (see also:The Wisdom Web: Global Governance in 2100)
Riel Miller (@RielM)(respondent) currently works for the directorates of economics, OECD; he is a former senior manager of Ontario public service (Ministry of Finance, Universities, and Industry) and is the founder of xperidox, Paris, France, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada (see also: Insider's Guide to Foresight Consulting)

portrait of Eric Meade
Eric Meade

Ken Hunter (moderator) is chair of the World Future Society Board, senior fellow, Maryland China Initiative, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

Zhouying Jin is director, Center for Technology Innovation and Strategic Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China (see also: Professional Members Forum)

Eric Meade (respondent) is vice president and senior futurist at the Institute for Alternative Futures and serves on the board of directors of Counterpart International; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Alexandria, Virginia, USA (see also:The Wisdom Web: Global Governance in 2100)
Riel Miller (@RielM)(respondent) currently works for the directorates of economics, OECD; he is a former senior manager of Ontario public service (Ministry of Finance, Universities, and Industry) and is the founder of xperidox, Paris, France, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada (see also: Insider's Guide to Foresight Consulting)

portrait of Riel Miller
Riel Miller

Ken Hunter (moderator) is chair of the World Future Society Board, senior fellow, Maryland China Initiative, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

Zhouying Jin is director, Center for Technology Innovation and Strategic Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China (see also: Professional Members Forum)

Eric Meade (respondent) is vice president and senior futurist at the Institute for Alternative Futures and serves on the board of directors of Counterpart International; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Alexandria, Virginia, USA (see also:The Wisdom Web: Global Governance in 2100)
Riel Miller (@RielM)(respondent) currently works for the directorates of economics, OECD; he is a former senior manager of Ontario public service (Ministry of Finance, Universities, and Industry) and is the founder of xperidox, Paris, France, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada (see also: Insider's Guide to Foresight Consulting)

portrait of William E. Halal
William E. Halal

William E. Halal is the founder of TechCast, a Web-based system that pools the knowledge of experts to forecast breakthroughs in all technical fields; professor emeritus of Management, Technology, and Innovation at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA

Kenneth Harris is a professional futurist, chairman of Consilience, secretary of the board of directors of the World Future Society, former president and treasurer of the Washington, D.C., World Future Society Chapter; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Ari Palttala is president and CEO of Teamware, Inc., which builds sophisticated Web sites for governments, associations, and businesses, including the design of the Web site for the Finnish Parliament, Potomac, Maryland, USA

Chad J. Davis is executive editor of TechCast, Washington, DC, USA

portrait of Kenneth Harris
Kenneth Harris

William E. Halal is the founder of TechCast, a Web-based system that pools the knowledge of experts to forecast breakthroughs in all technical fields; professor emeritus of Management, Technology, and Innovation at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA

Kenneth Harris is a professional futurist, chairman of Consilience, secretary of the board of directors of the World Future Society, former president and treasurer of the Washington, D.C., World Future Society Chapter; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Ari Palttala is president and CEO of Teamware, Inc., which builds sophisticated Web sites for governments, associations, and businesses, including the design of the Web site for the Finnish Parliament, Potomac, Maryland, USA

Chad J. Davis is executive editor of TechCast, Washington, DC, USA

portrait of Ari Paltalla
Ari Paltalla

William E. Halal is the founder of TechCast, a Web-based system that pools the knowledge of experts to forecast breakthroughs in all technical fields; professor emeritus of Management, Technology, and Innovation at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA

Kenneth Harris is a professional futurist, chairman of Consilience, secretary of the board of directors of the World Future Society, former president and treasurer of the Washington, D.C., World Future Society Chapter; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Ari Palttala is president and CEO of Teamware, Inc., which builds sophisticated Web sites for governments, associations, and businesses, including the design of the Web site for the Finnish Parliament, Potomac, Maryland, USA

Chad J. Davis is executive editor of TechCast, Washington, DC, USA

portrait of Marcio de Miranda Santos
Marcio de Miranda Santos

Marcio de Miranda Santos is the executive director of the Centre for Strategic Management and Studies in Science, Technology and Innovation at CGEE in Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil

Diana Villiers Negroponte is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution where she works on Mexico and Central America. Her forthcoming book, The End of Nostalgia: Mexico Confronts the Challenges of Global Competition, will be published by the Brookings Press in April 2013, Washington, D.C.,

Esther Franklin (moderator) is executive vice president and Director of Cultural Identities for Starcom MediaVest Group's (SMG) multicultural unit, SMG Multicultural, and a member of World Future Society Global Advisory Council, Chicago, Illinois, USA

portrait of Diana Villiers Negroponte
Diana Villiers Negroponte

Marcio de Miranda Santos is the executive director of the Centre for Strategic Management and Studies in Science, Technology and Innovation at CGEE in Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil

Diana Villiers Negroponte is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution where she works on Mexico and Central America. Her forthcoming book, The End of Nostalgia: Mexico Confronts the Challenges of Global Competition, will be published by the Brookings Press in April 2013, Washington, D.C.,

Esther Franklin (moderator) is executive vice president and Director of Cultural Identities for Starcom MediaVest Group's (SMG) multicultural unit, SMG Multicultural, and a member of World Future Society Global Advisory Council, Chicago, Illinois, USA

portrait of Esther Franklin
Esther Franklin

Marcio de Miranda Santos is the executive director of the Centre for Strategic Management and Studies in Science, Technology and Innovation at CGEE in Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil

Diana Villiers Negroponte is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution where she works on Mexico and Central America. Her forthcoming book, The End of Nostalgia: Mexico Confronts the Challenges of Global Competition, will be published by the Brookings Press in April 2013, Washington, D.C.,

Esther Franklin (moderator) is executive vice president and Director of Cultural Identities for Starcom MediaVest Group's (SMG) multicultural unit, SMG Multicultural, and a member of World Future Society Global Advisory Council, Chicago, Illinois, USA

portrait of Vicki Stein
Vicki Stein

Vicki Stein is an educator of gifted students. She is program director for Future Problem Solving International, Melbourne, Florida, USA

portrait of Fabienne Goux-Baudiment
Fabienne Goux-Baudiment

Fabienne Goux-Baudiment (@progective) is a professional futurist, founding head of the consulting firm proGective, international speaker, and associate professor of Foresight and Innovation at the University of Angers (France). She has advised professional, business, and governmental organizations for almost three decades. Former president of the World Futures Studies Federation (2005-2009), she is a member of the World Future Society and Association of Professional Futurists. She is the author of several books, a blogger, referee, and member of various International Scientific Boards. Paris, France

Claire A. Nelson
Claire A. Nelson

Claire A. Nelson is an ideation leader, a member of the Futures Forum/Sagient Futures, and a member of the editorial board of World Future Review, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

portrait of Aaron Rosa
Aaron Rosa

Aaron Rosa is a PhD candidate in the Futures Studies program at the University of Hawaii – Manoa. His dissertation focuses on the ability for mobile communications to serve as tools for educating people about futures studies, and helping organizations deploy these technologies for sharing and building alternative futures. His work with the Hawaii Research Center for Futures Studies has included the co-production of experiential scenarios for Hawaii 2050, the Hawaii Food Policy Council, UH Manoa College of Nursing, and the East West Center, Manoa, Hawaii, USA

Co-researchers from the Hawaii Research Center for Futures Studies include:

John Sweeney (@aloha_futures) is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, Mānoa, Hawaii, USA

Aubrey Yee is pursuing a PhD in Futures Studies at the Political Science Department, UH Manoa, Manoa, Hawaii, USA

Jim Dator is Professor and Director of the Hawaii Research Center for Futures Studies, Department of Political Science, and Adjunct Professor in the Program in Public Administration, the College of Architecture, and the Center for Japanese Studies, of the University of Hawaii at Manoa; Co-Chair, Space and Society Division, International Space University, Strasbourg, France; former President, World Futures Studies Federation, Manoa, Hawaii, USA

portrait
Joergen Oerstroem Moeller

Joergen Oerstroem Moeller is visiting senior research fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore; adjunct professor, Singapore Management University and Copenhagen Business School; member of the World Future Society’s Global Advisory Council; and former Danish ambassador to Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, and New Zealand, Singapore

portrait
Eric Meade

Eric Meade is vice president and senior futurist at the Institute for Alternative Futures and serves on the board of directors of Counterpart International; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Read: Slums: A Catalyst Bed for Poverty Eradication

(see also What Kind of Future Do We Need: Reflections From China)

portrait
Kazuo Mizuta

Kazuo Mizuta is vice president of the Japan Future Research Center, and professor emeritus, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto, Japan

portrait of Bob Reuschlein
Bob Reuschlein

Bob Reuschlein is president of Reuschlein Peace Institute, has taught “Weather, Wealth, and Wars,” and has written on the temperature cycle, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

portrait of Adrienne Redd
Adrienne Redd

Adrienne Redd is author of the book Fallen Walls and Fallen Towers: The Fate of the Nation in a Global World (Nimble, 2010) Dr. Redd created and taught “Understanding Global News” and “The Sociology of American Whiteness” at Arcadia University, and a seminar on utopian thought and the environment at Cabrini College, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, USA

(see also C-4 Introduction to Strategic Futurist Thinking)

portrait of Nancy Donovan
Nancy Donovan

Nancy Donovan (moderator) is with GAO and is founder of the Public Sector Foresight Network, Washington, D.C., USA

David J. Kaufman was appointed director of FEMA's Office of Policy and Program Analysis (OPPA) in September 2009, Washington, D.C., USA

David Bengston is with the U.S. Forest Service and an inaugural member of the Public Sector Foresight Group. He is at the Northern Research Station, which is playing a key role in the new foresight initiative. He has published on environmental futures and foresight issues, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA (see also The Future of Woodland Fire)

portrait of David Bengston
David Bengston

Nancy Donovan (moderator) is with GAO and is founder of the Public Sector Foresight Network, Washington, D.C., USA

David J. Kaufman was appointed director of FEMA's Office of Policy and Program Analysis (OPPA) in September 2009, Washington, D.C., USA

David Bengston is with the U.S. Forest Service and an inaugural member of the Public Sector Foresight Group. He is at the Northern Research Station, which is playing a key role in the new foresight initiative. He has published on environmental futures and foresight issues, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA (see also The Future of Woodland Fire)

Christopher Stone is CEO of Constellation Software Engineering (CSE); member, Association of Professional Futurists, Lanham, Maryland, USA

Jalal Mapar is the division director at the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate Infrastructure Protection and Disaster Management Division (IDD) within its Advanced Research Projects Agency, Washington, D.C., USA

Justin Legary is the section chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Exercise and Simulation Center (NESC), Washington, D.C., USA

portrait of Wayne P. Bergeron
Wayne P. Bergeron

Wayne P. Bergeron retired as a lieutenant colonel from the United States Army in May 2011 after a 23-year career within the Military Police Corps and Special Operations Forces. His last assignment was as the battalion commander and professor of military science at the University of North Alabama Army ROTC program. Bergeron currently serves as the interim chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and teaches both criminal justice and security and emergency management at the University of North Alabama. He has presented at numerous U.S. and international institutions on a variety of topics and has traveled widely, having been assigned, deployed to, or worked in over 35 countries on four different continents. He has served multiple combat tours. Florence, Alabama, USA

portrait of Jo Ann Oravec
Jo Ann Oravec

Jo Ann Oravec is an associate professor in the College of Business and Economics at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. She taught computer information systems and public policy at Baruch College of the City University of New York and also taught in the School of Business and the Computer Sciences Department at UW-Madison, as well as at Ball State University. In the 1990s, she chaired the Privacy Council of the State of Wisconsin, the nation's first state-level council dealing with information technology and privacy issues. She has written books (including Virtual Individuals, Virtual Groups: Human Dimensions of Groupware and Computer Networking, Cambridge University Press) and dozens of articles on computing, emerging technologies, and public-policy issues, Whitewater, Wisconsin, USA (see also: Education Summit)

Yu-Ying Teng is a lecturer at the Department of International Business, College of Business and Management, Tamkang University, Taipei, Taiwan

portrait of Marci Segal
Marci Segal

Marci Segal (@marcisegal @worldcreativity) holds an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership, is president of creativityland inc and founder of World Creativity and Innovation Week April 15-21, which frees people’s thinking so they can create new futures. She is a creativity expert and speaker and leads executive team building retreats and innovation programs, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Megan Mitchell is an innovation catalyst, creativity muse, and leadership consultant at Megan Mitchell Consulting. She is also the program director at Schulich School of Business’s Centre of Excellence in Innovation, York University. Megan advocates soaking up every opportunity to grow and believes we are all creative; her passion is helping people discover their unique ways of contributing for greater business success and personal fulfillment, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (see also C-8 Balancing Logic and Imagination to Foresee the Future)

portrait of Megan Mitchell
Megan Mitchell

Marci Segal (@marcisegal @worldcreativity) holds an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership, is president of creativityland inc and founder of World Creativity and Innovation Week April 15-21, which frees people’s thinking so they can create new futures. She is a creativity expert and speaker and leads executive team building retreats and innovation programs, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Megan Mitchell is an innovation catalyst, creativity muse, and leadership consultant at Megan Mitchell Consulting. She is also the program director at Schulich School of Business’s Centre of Excellence in Innovation, York University. Megan advocates soaking up every opportunity to grow and believes we are all creative; her passion is helping people discover their unique ways of contributing for greater business success and personal fulfillment, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (see also C-8 Balancing Logic and Imagination to Foresee the Future)

portrait of Jason Swanson
Jason Swanson

Josh Lindenger is a futurist, analyst, computer scientist, and licensed Professional Engineer; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Catonsville, Maryland, USA

Jason Swanson is a foresight professional and market-research analyst, Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

portrait of Rick Smyre
Rick Smyre

Rick Smyre is president, Center for Communities of the Future, Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

Nicole Garzino is executive director, of the Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, California. As a consultant, Ms. Garzino leads transformative planning and program management for nonprofits, with a special emphasis in cultural organizations, creative projects, and grassroots start-ups, Salinas, California, USA

Barbara Weathers has over 15 years of experience in higher education as both an administrator and professor at private, public, for-profit, and nonprofit institutions. While at Graceland University, she created the Institute for Professional Development, which worked on innovative models for curriculum development. She is vice president, Education and Community Development at B2i Ventures; director, National Young Professionals Network at Center for Communities of the Future, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

portrait of Nicole Garzino
Nicole Garzino

Rick Smyre is president, Center for Communities of the Future, Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

Nicole Garzino is executive director, of the Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, California. As a consultant, Ms. Garzino leads transformative planning and program management for nonprofits, with a special emphasis in cultural organizations, creative projects, and grassroots start-ups, Salinas, California, USA

Barbara Weathers has over 15 years of experience in higher education as both an administrator and professor at private, public, for-profit, and nonprofit institutions. While at Graceland University, she created the Institute for Professional Development, which worked on innovative models for curriculum development. She is vice president, Education and Community Development at B2i Ventures; director, National Young Professionals Network at Center for Communities of the Future, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

portrait of Barbara Weathers
Barbara Weathers

Rick Smyre is president, Center for Communities of the Future, Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

Nicole Garzino is executive director, of the Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, California. As a consultant, Ms. Garzino leads transformative planning and program management for nonprofits, with a special emphasis in cultural organizations, creative projects, and grassroots start-ups, Salinas, California, USA

Barbara Weathers has over 15 years of experience in higher education as both an administrator and professor at private, public, for-profit, and nonprofit institutions. While at Graceland University, she created the Institute for Professional Development, which worked on innovative models for curriculum development. She is vice president, Education and Community Development at B2i Ventures; director, National Young Professionals Network at Center for Communities of the Future, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

portrait of Cindy Frewen
Cindy Frewen

Cindy Frewen is board chair of APF, architect, founder of Frewen Architects, and adjunct professor of strategic foresight at University of Houston Futures Studies graduate program, Leawood, Kansas, USA

David Broz is education and culture practice leader for Gensler, a global architecture and planning firm. He has led the design of 200 education projects and has written and presented extensively on the future of the university campus, Chicago, Illinois, USA

portrait of Catherine McVey
Catherine McVey

Catherine Shane McVey is a certified “Master Teacher.” She has been teaching lower socioeconomic, minority, and immigrant middle- and high-school children for over twenty years in urban Chicago schools. A Fulbright Scholar, she develops curriculum to meet the needs of a very specific type of lower socioeconomic, urban, and immigrant children.

Student participants:
Ana Cisneros
is a pre-law major at University of Illinois. Her goal is to work within the Latino community to mentor young Latinos, with a focus on women. She feels strongly that she must stay true to her roots and share her personal struggles to encourage a younger generation, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Antonio Mendoza is a former Marine who graduated from ITI Technology. He was wounded in combat and returned home. He has two younger brothers, currently on active duty with the United States Marine Corps, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Sameerah Haque is a student at Northside College Preparatory High School. She has no idea what the future holds for her but believes she is capable of whatever she decides to do, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Anjali Dhimar is a student in the Von Steuben Honors Scholars Program. She has a talent and interest in science, but remains open to wherever the future will take her, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Stephanie Smith attends Brooks College Preparatory High School. She is a talented athlete, and plans to study law, Chicago, Illinois, USA

portrait of Antonio Mendoza
Antonio Mendoza

Catherine Shane McVey is a certified “Master Teacher.” She has been teaching lower socioeconomic, minority, and immigrant middle- and high-school children for over twenty years in urban Chicago schools. A Fulbright Scholar, she develops curriculum to meet the needs of a very specific type of lower socioeconomic, urban, and immigrant children.

Student participants:
Ana Cisneros
is a pre-law major at University of Illinois. Her goal is to work within the Latino community to mentor young Latinos, with a focus on women. She feels strongly that she must stay true to her roots and share her personal struggles to encourage a younger generation, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Antonio Mendoza is a former Marine who graduated from ITI Technology. He was wounded in combat and returned home. He has two younger brothers, currently on active duty with the United States Marine Corps, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Sameerah Haque is a student at Northside College Preparatory High School. She has no idea what the future holds for her but believes she is capable of whatever she decides to do, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Anjali Dhimar is a student in the Von Steuben Honors Scholars Program. She has a talent and interest in science, but remains open to wherever the future will take her, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Stephanie Smith attends Brooks College Preparatory High School. She is a talented athlete, and plans to study law, Chicago, Illinois, USA

portrait of Stephanie Smith
Stephanie Smith

Catherine Shane McVey is a certified “Master Teacher.” She has been teaching lower socioeconomic, minority, and immigrant middle- and high-school children for over twenty years in urban Chicago schools. A Fulbright Scholar, she develops curriculum to meet the needs of a very specific type of lower socioeconomic, urban, and immigrant children.

Student participants:
Ana Cisneros
is a pre-law major at University of Illinois. Her goal is to work within the Latino community to mentor young Latinos, with a focus on women. She feels strongly that she must stay true to her roots and share her personal struggles to encourage a younger generation, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Antonio Mendoza is a former Marine who graduated from ITI Technology. He was wounded in combat and returned home. He has two younger brothers, currently on active duty with the United States Marine Corps, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Sameerah Haque is a student at Northside College Preparatory High School. She has no idea what the future holds for her but believes she is capable of whatever she decides to do, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Anjali Dhimar is a student in the Von Steuben Honors Scholars Program. She has a talent and interest in science, but remains open to wherever the future will take her, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Stephanie Smith attends Brooks College Preparatory High School. She is a talented athlete, and plans to study law, Chicago, Illinois, USA

portrait of Mark Waser
Mark Waser

Mark Waser is an ethical systems architect and co-founder of Digital Wisdom Institute, Vienna, Virginia, USA

James Giordano is professor of Integrative Physiology and chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., Clark Fellow in Neurosciences and Ethics, Human Science Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany; and Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Wendell Wallach chairs the technology and ethics study group at Yale University’s Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, and is co-author (with Colin Allen) of Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right From Wrong, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

portrait of James Giordano
James Giordano

Mark Waser is an ethical systems architect and co-founder of Digital Wisdom Institute, Vienna, Virginia, USA

James Giordano is professor of Integrative Physiology and chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., Clark Fellow in Neurosciences and Ethics, Human Science Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany; and Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Wendell Wallach chairs the technology and ethics study group at Yale University’s Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, and is co-author (with Colin Allen) of Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right From Wrong, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

portrait of Wendell Wallach
Wendell Wallach

Mark Waser is an ethical systems architect and co-founder of Digital Wisdom Institute, Vienna, Virginia, USA

James Giordano is professor of Integrative Physiology and chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., Clark Fellow in Neurosciences and Ethics, Human Science Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany; and Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Wendell Wallach chairs the technology and ethics study group at Yale University’s Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, and is co-author (with Colin Allen) of Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right From Wrong, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

portrait of Ramona Pringle
Ramona Pringle

Ramona Pringle (@ramonapringle) is a new media professor at Ryerson University and a multiplatform producer currently working on Avatar Secrets and Rdigitalife.com, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

portrait of Bill Peter
Bill Peter

Bill Peter is founder of Global Innovation Foundation, a philanthropic education organization, Edina, Minnesota, USA

portrait of Erica Orange
Erica Orange

Erica Orange (@ErOrange) and Jared Weiner (@JWeinerWEB) are both vice presidents of Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., one of the world’s leading futurist consulting firms. Erica and Jared sit on several boards, strategically advising groups about the importance of future trends, New York, New York, USA (see also Dark Future/Bright Future: Either, Neither, or Both? and Speed Futuring)

portrait of Jared Weiner
Jared Weiner

Erica Orange (@ErOrange) and Jared Weiner (@JWeinerWEB) are both vice presidents of Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., one of the world’s leading futurist consulting firms. Erica and Jared sit on several boards, strategically advising groups about the importance of future trends, New York, New York, USA (see also Dark Future/Bright Future: Either, Neither, or Both? and Speed Futuring)

Frank W. Maletz is a practicing orthopaedic surgeon and a former United States Naval military surgeon with Gulf War and hospital ship experience. He has 35 years of patient service as a physician, East Lyme, Connecticut, USA

portrait of Alexandra Whittington
Alexandra Whittington

Alexandra Whittington (@alexandra4casts) has taught futures-studies courses as an adjunct at the University of Houston and the University of Houston-Downtown. Her research focuses on the future of social issues, including education, families, communities, and gender roles. She has worked in a futurist capacity for nonprofits, corporate clients, community organizations, and small futurist consulting groups. Ms. Whittington has published forecasts and foresight-related articles, as author and co-author, in THE FUTURIST magazine, the journal Futures, and the young adult book series Tackling Tomorrow Today. She has also been a guest on Radio Saigon Houston (900 AM), KPFT Pacifica’s (90.1 FM) radio program “Growing Up In Houston,” and Houston Community College TV’s talk show “Dialogue Houston.” Houston, Texas, USA

portrait of Kate Burgess
Kate Burgess

Kate Laurel Burgess-Mac Intosh has a master’s degree in museum studies from Harvard University Extension School, a BA in fine arts from Montserrat College of Art, and is currently taking graduate courses through the University of Houston Futures Studies program. Her present work includes working with strategy, research, and predictive analytics firm Reach Advisors, facilitating learning about the future of museums as a teaching assistant in the Harvard Museum Studies Program, and facilitating creative mash-ups at historic sites through her company, Revitalizing Historic Sites. Lowell, Massachusetts, USA

portrait of Terrance Malkinson
Terrance Malkinson

Terrance Malkinson is a researcher, editor, futurist, journalist, manager, and multisport athlete, has 460 publications to his name, and is a member of WFS, IEEE, ACSM, and BMES. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

portrait of Ulrich Schmitt
Ulrich Schmitt

Ulrich Schmitt is establishing an enterprise for Educational Services and Personal Knowledge Management Solutions in Southern Africa. His professional background covers eight years as IT and management consultant in London and Basel, eight years as professor and vice president at two independent universities in Germany, and the recent eight years as vice rector at the Polytechnic of Namibia and dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Botswana. Gabarone, Botswana

portrait of James Schreier
James Schreier

James W. Schreier, PhD, is a management consultant and the director of training for Joel Barker's Strategic Exploration Tools. He's worked with the Implications Wheel® for over 12 years, serving as the master trainer, and developing new applications and methodologies for evaluating the results of the process. West Allis, Wisconsin, USA

portrait of Diana Muir
Diana Muir

Diana Muir is CEO of the World Virtual School, a pioneer in online education of more than 17 years, and a former student in future studies at the University of Houston, Clear Lake, East Moline, Illinois, USA

portrait of Linda Groff
Linda Groff

Linda Groff is a professor, Political Science and Future Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills; and director of Global Options and Evolutionary Futures Consulting, Dominguez Hills, California, USA

Jose Cordeiro is founder, World Future Society Venezuela Chapter; chair, The Millennium Project Venezuela Node; faculty member of Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Frank Catanzaro is chair of Cyber Futures at The Millennium Project and virtual world and Internet consultant, Westerly, Rhode Island, USA

portrait of Jose Cordeiro
Jose Cordeiro

Linda Groff is a professor, Political Science and Future Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills; and director of Global Options and Evolutionary Futures Consulting, Dominguez Hills, California, USA

Jose Cordeiro is founder, World Future Society Venezuela Chapter; chair, The Millennium Project Venezuela Node; faculty member of Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Frank Catanzaro is chair of Cyber Futures at The Millennium Project and virtual world and Internet consultant, Westerly, Rhode Island, USA

portrait of Frank Catanzaro
Frank Catanzaro

Linda Groff is a professor, Political Science and Future Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills; and director of Global Options and Evolutionary Futures Consulting, Dominguez Hills, California, USA

Jose Cordeiro is founder, World Future Society Venezuela Chapter; chair, The Millennium Project Venezuela Node; faculty member of Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Frank Catanzaro is chair of Cyber Futures at The Millennium Project and virtual world and Internet consultant, Westerly, Rhode Island, USA

portrait
Ben Goertzel

Ben Goertzel (@bengoertzel) is chief scientist of financial prediction firm Aidyia Holdings; chairman of AI software company Novamente LLC and bioinformatics company Biomind LLC; chairman of the Artificial General Intelligence Society and the OpenCog Foundation; vice chairman of futurist nonprofit Humanity+; scientific advisor of biopharma firm Genescient Corp.; advisor to the Singularity University and Singularity Institute, Hong Kong

portrait of John Smart
John Smart

John Smart (@johnmsmart) is a professional futurist. He is president of the Acceleration Studies Foundation, curator of the popular Accelerating Change conferences, 2003-2005, co-founder of the Evo Devo Universe complex systems research community and the Foresight Education and Research Network, Futures Studies and Forecasting Advisor at Singularity University, lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School in Leadership and Technological Change; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Mountain View, California, USA

portrait of Kel Smith
Kel Smith

Kel Smith is a speaker, author, and practitioner on digital accessibility and technological innovation. He is the author of Digital Outcasts: Moving Technology Forward Without Leaving People Behind (2013), Glenside, Pennsylvania, USA

portrait of Kathleen Toerpe
Kathleen Toerpe

Kathleen Toerpe (@ktoerpe) teaches social sciences at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and is a citizen scientist, Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, USA

portrait of Carey King
Carey King

Carey King, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA

Michael Dale is a post-doctoral researcher at Stanford University’s Global Climate and Energy Project. His research focuses on the energetic requirements and environmental impacts of energy production. Dr. Dale has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with the Advanced Energy and Material Systems (AEMS) Laboratory at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He is a member of the International Society of Transition Engineers, Stanford, California, USA

Susan Krumdieck (participating online) has worked to develop the analysis and design methods of transition engineering for more than 15 years. She is currently working with other academic and professional engineers to establish the International Society of Transition Engineers, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

portrait of Michael Dale
Michael Dale

Carey King, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA

Michael Dale is a post-doctoral researcher at Stanford University’s Global Climate and Energy Project. His research focuses on the energetic requirements and environmental impacts of energy production. Dr. Dale has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with the Advanced Energy and Material Systems (AEMS) Laboratory at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He is a member of the International Society of Transition Engineers, Stanford, California, USA

Susan Krumdieck (participating online) has worked to develop the analysis and design methods of transition engineering for more than 15 years. She is currently working with other academic and professional engineers to establish the International Society of Transition Engineers, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

portrait of Susan Krumdieck
Susan Krumdieck

Carey King, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA

Michael Dale is a post-doctoral researcher at Stanford University’s Global Climate and Energy Project. His research focuses on the energetic requirements and environmental impacts of energy production. Dr. Dale has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with the Advanced Energy and Material Systems (AEMS) Laboratory at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He is a member of the International Society of Transition Engineers, Stanford, California, USA

Susan Krumdieck (participating online) has worked to develop the analysis and design methods of transition engineering for more than 15 years. She is currently working with other academic and professional engineers to establish the International Society of Transition Engineers, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

portrait of Daniel Berleant
Daniel Berleant

Daniel Berleant is a professor, University of Arkansas, author of The Human Race to the Future: What May Happen—and What to Do, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

portrait of Stephen Thaler
Stephen Thaler

Stephen Thaler is president and founder of Imagination Engines, a company that has harnessed its self-aware, creative artificial intelligence to conceptualize myriad products, services, and strategies over the last two decades. Dr. Thaler’s CAI has been utilized by major defense companies such as Booz-Allen-Hamilton, Raytheon, Boeing, General Dynamics, General Electric, and Pratt & Whitney, all in the context of world-changing events, St. Charles, Missouri, USA

portrait of Don Schultz
Don Schultz

Don Schultz is a marketing professor at Northwestern University, globally recognized consultant, speaker, and developer of Integrated Marketing Communications, Chicago, Illinois, USA

portrait of José Luis Cordeiro
José Luis Cordeiro

José Luis Cordeiro, (moderator) is founder, World Future Society (Venezuela Chapter); Chair, Millennium Project (Venezuela Node); faculty member of Singularity University, NASA Ames, Caracas, Venezuela

Julielynn Wong is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Marco Mascorro is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Melissa McCoy is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Eric Chiang is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

portrait of Julielynn Wong
Julielynn Wong

José Luis Cordeiro, (moderator) is founder, World Future Society (Venezuela Chapter); Chair, Millennium Project (Venezuela Node); faculty member of Singularity University, NASA Ames, Caracas, Venezuela

Julielynn Wong is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Marco Mascorro is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Melissa McCoy is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Eric Chiang is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

portrait of Marco Mascorro
Marco Mascorro

José Luis Cordeiro, (moderator) is founder, World Future Society (Venezuela Chapter); Chair, Millennium Project (Venezuela Node); faculty member of Singularity University, NASA Ames, Caracas, Venezuela

Julielynn Wong is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Marco Mascorro is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Melissa McCoy is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Eric Chiang is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

portrait of Melissa McCoy
Melissa McCoy

José Luis Cordeiro, (moderator) is founder, World Future Society (Venezuela Chapter); Chair, Millennium Project (Venezuela Node); faculty member of Singularity University, NASA Ames, Caracas, Venezuela

Julielynn Wong is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Marco Mascorro is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Melissa McCoy is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Eric Chiang is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

portrait of Eric Chiang
Eric Chiang

José Luis Cordeiro, (moderator) is founder, World Future Society (Venezuela Chapter); Chair, Millennium Project (Venezuela Node); faculty member of Singularity University, NASA Ames, Caracas, Venezuela

Julielynn Wong is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Marco Mascorro is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Melissa McCoy is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

Eric Chiang is a graduate student; Singularity University, NASA Ames, California, USA

portrait of Rodney Hill
Rodney Hill

Rodney Hill is a professor in the Department of Architecture at Texas A&M University. He teaches courses in creativity and future studies and in global ethics and culture, College Station, Texas, USA

Jorge Vanegas is dean of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University. He is a technology innovation and integration champion for planning, architecture, engineering, and construction, College Station, Texas, USA

portrait of Jorge Vanegas
Jorge Vanegas

Rodney Hill is a professor in the Department of Architecture at Texas A&M University. He teaches courses in creativity and future studies and in global ethics and culture, College Station, Texas, USA

Jorge Vanegas is dean of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University. He is a technology innovation and integration champion for planning, architecture, engineering, and construction, College Station, Texas, USA

portrait of Patrick Tucker
Patrick Tucker
Patrick Tucker is the deputy editor of The Futurist magazine and content director for magazine’s Web site. He is also the director of communications for the World Future Society, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
portrait of Maria H. Andersen
Maria H. Andersen

Maria H. Andersen (@busynessgirl) is the director of Learning and Research for Instructure, where she acts as a translator and anthropologist to help bridge the gap between the technologists who build canvas and the educators who use it. Prior to this position, she served as faculty at a community college, teaching traditional and online courses; member, Association of Professional Futurists, Sandy, Utah, USA

portrait
Marta M. Keane

Marta M. Keane is chief executive officer, Jefferson Area Board for Aging, Earlysville, Virginia, USA

Read: Healthy Aging in the 22nd Century

Futurist Update

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Interviews

Ready to Move to the Red Planet?

A number of private companies are attempting to build new space vehicles, and George Washington University professor emeritus Joseph Pelton profiled some very promising ones—among them, Virgin Galactic, Orbital Sciences Corporation, and Aerion Corporation—in an article for THE FUTURIST l

Engineering Animals Ethically: An Interview with Emily Anthes, author of Frankenstein's Cat

In December 2005, a young dolphin swimming off the Florida coast got stuck in a crab trap and suffered severe injuries to her tail. A rescue team spotted her, pulled her out, and took her to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for some animal first aid. She lived, but her tail was beyond saving, and the aquarium staffers reluctantly amputated it. They fashioned a prosthetic tail to take its place.

The Futurist Magazine Interviews Stephen Wolfram

Subject(s):

Better living through data? When a pioneer of data collection and organization turned his analytical tools on himself, he revealed the complexity of automating human judgment and the difficulty of predicting just what is predictable.

Reviews of New Books

Reading the Ice

The White Planet: The Evolution and Future of Our Frozen World
Image of The White Planet: The Evolution and Future of Our Frozen World
Author(s): Jean Jouzel, Claude Lorius, Dominique Raynaud
Publisher: Princeton University Press (2012)
Binding: Hardcover, 316 pages
List Price: $29.95

In summer 2003, heat waves scorched Europe and caused record-high numbers of European wildfires and heat-stroke deaths.

Moving Your Business into the Future

Think Like a Futurist: Know What Changes, What Doesn't, and What's Next
Image of Think Like a Futurist: Know What Changes, What Doesn't, and What's Next
Author(s): Cecily Sommers
Publisher: Jossey-Bass (2012)
Binding: Hardcover, 272 pages
List Price: $27.95

We could afford to exercise creativity and innovation much more than we typically do, says Cecily Sommers, president of the futurist nonprofit Push Institute. In fact, a business can incorporate innovation and creativity into its everyday operational practices, and make gains in productivity and time efficiency in the process.

Worst Expectations

The Last Myth: What the Rise of Apocalyptic Thinking Tells Us About America
Image of The Last Myth: What the Rise of Apocalyptic Thinking Tells Us About America
Author(s): Mathew Barrett Gross, Mel Gilles
Publisher: Prometheus Books (2012)
Binding: Paperback, 254 pages
List Price: $18.00

The Last Myth has earned its place alongside Philip Zimbardo’s The Time Paradox and I. F. Clarke’s The Pattern of Expectation as one of the best books on humanity’s concept of “the future.”

The Road to Hell Is Paved with Efficiency

The Efficiency Trap: Finding a Better Way to Achieve a Sustainable Energy Future
Image of The Efficiency Trap: Finding a Better Way to Achieve a Sustainable Energy Future
Author(s): Steve Hallett
Publisher: Prometheus Books (2013)
Binding: Paperback, 310 pages
List Price: $18.00

Cars boast far better mileage than they did decades ago, but gasoline consumption is at an all-time high and still rising. Cities everywhere have undertaken energy-efficient construction and planning, but domestic electricity consumption has kept on rising. And while world agriculture has steadily boosted crop output over the last 50 years, the number of malnourished people has stayed the same.

The underlying problem is a societal fixation on efficiency ₊

Learn about the future of ...

Commerce

One common fallacy is that people are being replaced by machines. The reality is that machines don’t work without humans. A more accurate...

Earth

Over many centuries, attempts have been made to get food production out of the cities. Produce...

Futuring

“Extropy” is celebrating its first quarter of a century. The idea was formally introduced as a philosophy of the future in 1988, and many...

Humanity

Futurists: BetaLaunch, THE FUTURIST magazine's invention and idea expo, is entering its third year and will be part of the opening night...

Sci/Tech

In this uplifting video from Coca-Cola (click here), consumers in India and Pakistan are...

Governance

Today, literally thousands of alternative transportation vehicles are coming out of the woodwork and they nearly all have the same problem – no...