Over the past decade the World Future Society has
collaborated with Forecasting International Ltd. to keep readers aware of the key trends
shaping the future. Principal researcher Marvin J. Cetron and science writer Owen
Davies have completed the latest edition of their report, "50 Trends Shaping the
Future," just published by the Society this month.
The first part of the report, focusing on economic, social, demographic,
resource, and environmental trends, is included in this issue of THE FUTURIST (see page 27
of the print edition). Part Two, focusing on trends in technology, the workplace,
management, and institutions, will be published in the March-April issue. The full report
is also available from the Futurist Bookstore for $8 each ($7.20 for Society members),
cat. no. R-2428. Order online from the
Futurist Bookstore, or call 1-800-989-8274.
Among the key trends shaping the future of the United States are the
growing ethnic and cultural diversity created by steady inflows of immigrants and the
technological and economic forces altering the education environment.
In his article "The Diversity Gap," futurist Keith Orndoff
argues that the more-diverse U.S. states are beginning to compete for influence with
states that are more homogeneous states in terms of race, ethnicity, age, and other
factors. The result may mean more political divisiveness among the states, with
more-dramatic 2000 election-type scenarios (where the popular vote diverged from the
Electoral College vote). (See page 22.)
In "Education in America: The Next 25 Years," educator Irving
H. Buchen offers an overview of how U.S. K-12 education will/should change by 2025.
Trends and issues he discusses include decentralization (e.g., home schooling, charter and
private schools, and electronic schools), performance evaluation (accountability),
leadership, and a reconfiguration of the learning place. (See page 44.)
This issue also takes an intriguing look at an emerging area of
pharmaceutical research. In "Drugs from Bugs: The Promise of Pharmaceutical
Entomology," Australian researcher Stephen Trowell describes his work
identifying medically promising chemicals derived from insects. The megatrend of
drug-resistance among diseases we thought we'd conquered--as well as emerging new
diseases--makes the pursuit of new medicines an urgent one. (See page 17.)
