A magazine of forecasts, trends, and ideas about the future.
May-June 2005, Vol. 39, No. 3Feedback
To: letters@wfs.orgSubject: Thoughts on the "Trends Shaping the Future" article
Hello,
I'm reading through the article entitled "Trends Shaping the Future: Technological,
Workplace, Management, and Institutional Trends" by Marvin J. Cetron and Owen Davies.
As I'm reading through it, I'm recording my comments in podcast form. Since the article
asked for comments, I thought I'd pass it along for your amusement. http://theroblog.blogspot.com/2005/05/robcast-thoughts-on-future-trends.html
Rob
(http://theroblog.blogspot.com)
In THE FUTURIST, May-June 2005 Vol. 39, No. 3, in the article, "Combating Copycat Violence," by Lane Jennings, your journal tackles an important issue. I appreciate your acknowledgement of my attention to this in my new book, The Copycat Effect (NY: Paraview Pocket - Simon and Schuster, 2004).
At the end of the commentary by Lane Jennings, the Futurist has this final paragraph: "Instead of suppressing the media, as Coleman seems to recommend, we could try harder to balance violent content with more positive stories that are dramatic and worthy of potential copycats' attention." As opposed to wishing to restrain the media, in the final chapter of my book I agree exactly with reviewer Jennings through my seven recommendations and supporting text. My final recommendation, number seven, is as follows: "(7) And finally, the media should reflect more on their role in creating our increasingly perceived violent society. Honest reporting on the positive nature of being alive in the twenty-first century may actually decrease the negative outcomes of the copycat effect, and create a wave of self-awareness that this life is rather good after all. Most of our lives are mundane, safe, and uneventful. This is something that an alien watching television news from outer space, as they say, would never know. The media should 'get real,' and try to use their influence and the copycat effect to spread a little peace rather than mayhem."
Sincerely,
Loren Coleman
http://www.CopycatEffect.com
Your comments are welcome: