Advice to a Future Futurist About Forecasting Our Far Out Future
What does it take to become a top-notched futurist? Well, there happens to be quite a difference of opinion when it comes to this question. Not long ago, a gentleman who'd served our nation in the armed forces and later got into the real estate building sector asked me this question. As a self-proclaimed Futurist I was flattered to be asked advice on this topic and so here is what I had to say:
Alright please indulge me for a moment as I give a short philosophical monologue to you on this topic:
Yes, actually I do have many suggestions to becoming the world's best futurist, however my advice will be other than that you might get from the WFS (World Futurist Society) and thus, will not be in the main-stream of thinking in that regard. You see, I am finding that those who call themselves Futurists are too busy congratulating themselves, and they do so each time another agrees with them, thus, have a meeting of the minds, one which binds them into a group-think situation within the very box they may claim to think around - does that make sense?
Indeed, I asked my future futurist acquaintance; so, would your futurist focus be on, would it be on construction or military tech, also paramount to our nation. Would you like to open a dialogue on "Future Fighting Force" potential eventualities and challenges we must be ready for in the future? If so, I'd like that very much and have lots of thoughts on this myself. I am very concerned with some of the de-funding of the Future Fighting Force Roadmaps I've read about in DOD, GAO, OMD documents. Indeed, I am pretty up on all the energy, construction, water filtration, and power generation concepts - and closely follow all military technologies as well.
I also told him "If you would like, I can forward the email newsletters I take so you can review them and allow that information to attach to your current knowledge." And I will extend that offer to anyone reading this article online, just tell me the industry sector, chances are I follow it as well, and can help you with more informational input.
Okay so, the question of "becoming" a Futurist of interest and with credibility is often one of marketing, by writing eBooks, books, papers, and doing interviews this helps on that front, also as much as you probably question all this new media (social networks) it "can" help if used correctly for a popular following. Even notables such as Kurzweil use these methods; tweets, email newsletters, blog posts, etc. If we look at his ground-swell we see the founding of organizations and the branding of an idea, or two, or in his case 6-8 combining them all; Singularity Concept.
Of course, Futurism w/branding and marketing does not make you "right" about the future, and really you do not have to always be right, sometimes it's better if you are wrong, but you warn of a potential future that is undesirable, thus, preventing it from happening, such as explaining a future risk in a direction of travel of a group, industry, society, or civilization. Unfortunately, you don't get much credit for those, "oh the woes of a genius," as those who solve problems tend to get the credit.
So, you need to have solutions to problems, and warn of future challenges too, and since humans don't listen often enough you can do both. That is to say prevent humans from destroying their communities, lives, and future, while also solving problems in the present period without them leading to the law of unintended consequences.
I offered to my acquaintance that if he would like to send me all his published papers, and articles, I would read them and then help him strategize on a marketing plan for himself and his drive forward (think flying car). Again that offer would go to anyone contacting me on becoming a futurist.
And I told my acquaintance; whatever you do, you must work to be accurate and be able to back up your arguments as you watch converging trends, and you have to be very careful to discharge the BS factor, PR, and political posturing as you set up your radar screen filter for this futurist endeavor.
If you are to become the "go-to" guy for questions on the future, one who companies, people, governments, and non-profits might call upon to make investment and policy decisions you are unfortunately going to have to have some bulls eye and several predictions come true to get notoriety, and/or market your personal brand and play a little bit of politics - "diplomacy is the art of letting others get your way" and that means people will come to you so you might verify their agenda, so without selling your soul you have to give them the reality of your findings without rubber stamping the junk science they have in tow, or their wishful thinking or dire disaster scare tactics.
You see, if you are knowledgeable and have all your facts to back you up, with endless examples to hold those your views, this builds reputation. When you study the newest technological advances and understand a good deal about many industries and sectors, it's really easy to see things that others don't. I told my acquaintance; okay for instance, you indicate that you are involved in construction management, real estate, and you have interests in clean water, sustainability, etc. Okay so, let's look there as an example;
"In the future homes will have carbon nano-tube, graphene sandwiched (composite roofs). They are super strong, lightweight in case of earthquake, don't burn, and manufacturing costs will come down. Also, you don't have to build super strong structures to hold the weight, lessening construction costs. Durability, plentiful element, bio-degradable, etc. Also they conduct electricity and can be solar, they can purify water as it drips off, and at night you can make them clear to let you sleep under the stars, and allow them to let in light by day, as directed and in the amount you want."
See that. Question is; why doesn't anyone else? They should. You should, you are in that business. Obviously, carbon nano-tubes, and graphene coatings, Bucky paper, etc. will be used for aircraft wings, race cars, blimps, and things which need to be light-weight and very strong, but why stop thinking there. Entrepreneurs in free-markets don't and they will find applications once it's available, and they will find ways to make it cost effective when it becomes possible. I mean look at plastic composite simulated wood decks, fences, etc.
So, a Futurist in that regard might announce this potential eventuality, perhaps get with some friends and file patents, and study up on how to make that all work, sell the idea, concept, or create a business. In fact, many do, and thus, drop off the Futurist Radar, because they see something and go do it, rather than just talk about it. This is a similar problem with academia, this is why entrepreneurial training for being a futurist is as or more important than degrees from college. Perhaps, why I am so good at it? Plus, being able to talk the language of business and entrepreneurs is really the key to take anything from concept to fruition, otherwise, "it's just talk," and we already have plenty of that, in fact, it's getting rather noisy.
Incidentally, I come up with 2-original thoughts per day, it's just a matter of thinking. I've trained myself to do this over decades, but anyone can, at least I believe that. My personal concepts are in all industries and human endeavors, and maybe this might be the type of futurist you will be, or maybe you will scan other industries, innovations and see how they will effect yours, in order to focus on a niche, and thus become an expert futurist in that sector. Since real estate, alternative energy, and construction deal with so many different sectors you'd have a better chance at really thinking beyond others due to your inherent On-the-Job-Training.
It's better for branding to be a futurist with a niche for marketing purposes. If you try to be the be-all-end-all of all industries and endeavors, few will take you seriously, even if you do spend your time working extremely hard to get it right. So, there is that, something I deal with actually.
Okay, let's open a dialogue on your chosen focus then?
The practice will be good for your Futurist Focus.
Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.
What does it take to become a top-notched futurist? Well, there happens to be quite a difference of opinion when it comes to this question. Not long ago, a gentleman who'd served our nation in the armed forces and later got into the real estate building sector asked me this question. As a self-proclaimed Futurist I was flattered to be asked advice on this topic and so here is what I had to say:
Alright please indulge me for a moment as I give a short philosophical monologue to you on this topic:
Yes, actually I do have many suggestions to becoming the world's best futurist, however my advice will be other than that you might get from the WFS (World Futurist Society) and thus, will not be in the main-stream of thinking in that regard. You see, I am finding that those who call themselves Futurists are too busy congratulating themselves, and they do so each time another agrees with them, thus, have a meeting of the minds, one which binds them into a group-think situation within the very box they may claim to think around - does that make sense?
Indeed, I asked my future futurist acquaintance; so, would your futurist focus be on, would it be on construction or military tech, also paramount to our nation. Would you like to open a dialogue on "Future Fighting Force" potential eventualities and challenges we must be ready for in the future? If so, I'd like that very much and have lots of thoughts on this myself. I am very concerned with some of the de-funding of the Future Fighting Force Roadmaps I've read about in DOD, GAO, OMD documents. Indeed, I am pretty up on all the energy, construction, water filtration, and power generation concepts - and closely follow all military technologies as well.
I also told him "If you would like, I can forward the email newsletters I take so you can review them and allow that information to attach to your current knowledge." And I will extend that offer to anyone reading this article online, just tell me the industry sector, chances are I follow it as well, and can help you with more informational input.
Okay so, the question of "becoming" a Futurist of interest and with credibility is often one of marketing, by writing eBooks, books, papers, and doing interviews this helps on that front, also as much as you probably question all this new media (social networks) it "can" help if used correctly for a popular following. Even notables such as Kurzweil use these methods; tweets, email newsletters, blog posts, etc. If we look at his ground-swell we see the founding of organizations and the branding of an idea, or two, or in his case 6-8 combining them all; Singularity Concept.
Of course, Futurism w/branding and marketing does not make you "right" about the future, and really you do not have to always be right, sometimes it's better if you are wrong, but you warn of a potential future that is undesirable, thus, preventing it from happening, such as explaining a future risk in a direction of travel of a group, industry, society, or civilization. Unfortunately, you don't get much credit for those, "oh the woes of a genius," as those who solve problems tend to get the credit.
So, you need to have solutions to problems, and warn of future challenges too, and since humans don't listen often enough you can do both. That is to say prevent humans from destroying their communities, lives, and future, while also solving problems in the present period without them leading to the law of unintended consequences.
I offered to my acquaintance that if he would like to send me all his published papers, and articles, I would read them and then help him strategize on a marketing plan for himself and his drive forward (think flying car). Again that offer would go to anyone contacting me on becoming a futurist.
And I told my acquaintance; whatever you do, you must work to be accurate and be able to back up your arguments as you watch converging trends, and you have to be very careful to discharge the BS factor, PR, and political posturing as you set up your radar screen filter for this futurist endeavor.
If you are to become the "go-to" guy for questions on the future, one who companies, people, governments, and non-profits might call upon to make investment and policy decisions you are unfortunately going to have to have some bulls eye and several predictions come true to get notoriety, and/or market your personal brand and play a little bit of politics - "diplomacy is the art of letting others get your way" and that means people will come to you so you might verify their agenda, so without selling your soul you have to give them the reality of your findings without rubber stamping the junk science they have in tow, or their wishful thinking or dire disaster scare tactics.
You see, if you are knowledgeable and have all your facts to back you up, with endless examples to hold those your views, this builds reputation. When you study the newest technological advances and understand a good deal about many industries and sectors, it's really easy to see things that others don't. I told my acquaintance; okay for instance, you indicate that you are involved in construction management, real estate, and you have interests in clean water, sustainability, etc. Okay so, let's look there as an example;
"In the future homes will have carbon nano-tube, graphene sandwiched (composite roofs). They are super strong, lightweight in case of earthquake, don't burn, and manufacturing costs will come down. Also, you don't have to build super strong structures to hold the weight, lessening construction costs. Durability, plentiful element, bio-degradable, etc. Also they conduct electricity and can be solar, they can purify water as it drips off, and at night you can make them clear to let you sleep under the stars, and allow them to let in light by day, as directed and in the amount you want."
See that. Question is; why doesn't anyone else? They should. You should, you are in that business. Obviously, carbon nano-tubes, and graphene coatings, Bucky paper, etc. will be used for aircraft wings, race cars, blimps, and things which need to be light-weight and very strong, but why stop thinking there. Entrepreneurs in free-markets don't and they will find applications once it's available, and they will find ways to make it cost effective when it becomes possible. I mean look at plastic composite simulated wood decks, fences, etc.
So, a Futurist in that regard might announce this potential eventuality, perhaps get with some friends and file patents, and study up on how to make that all work, sell the idea, concept, or create a business. In fact, many do, and thus, drop off the Futurist Radar, because they see something and go do it, rather than just talk about it. This is a similar problem with academia, this is why entrepreneurial training for being a futurist is as or more important than degrees from college. Perhaps, why I am so good at it? Plus, being able to talk the language of business and entrepreneurs is really the key to take anything from concept to fruition, otherwise, "it's just talk," and we already have plenty of that, in fact, it's getting rather noisy.
Incidentally, I come up with 2-original thoughts per day, it's just a matter of thinking. I've trained myself to do this over decades, but anyone can, at least I believe that. My personal concepts are in all industries and human endeavors, and maybe this might be the type of futurist you will be, or maybe you will scan other industries, innovations and see how they will effect yours, in order to focus on a niche, and thus become an expert futurist in that sector. Since real estate, alternative energy, and construction deal with so many different sectors you'd have a better chance at really thinking beyond others due to your inherent On-the-Job-Training.
It's better for branding to be a futurist with a niche for marketing purposes. If you try to be the be-all-end-all of all industries and endeavors, few will take you seriously, even if you do spend your time working extremely hard to get it right. So, there is that, something I deal with actually.
Okay, let's open a dialogue on your chosen focus then?
The practice will be good for your Futurist Focus.
Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.
What does it take to become a top-notched futurist? Well, there happens to be quite a difference of opinion when it comes to this question. Not long ago, a gentleman who'd served our nation in the armed forces and later got into the real estate building sector asked me this question. As a self-proclaimed Futurist I was flattered to be asked advice on this topic and so here is what I had to say:
Alright please indulge me for a moment as I give a short philosophical monologue to you on this topic:
Yes, actually I do have many suggestions to becoming the world's best futurist, however my advice will be other than that you might get from the WFS (World Futurist Society) and thus, will not be in the main-stream of thinking in that regard. You see, I am finding that those who call themselves Futurists are too busy congratulating themselves, and they do so each time another agrees with them, thus, have a meeting of the minds, one which binds them into a group-think situation within the very box they may claim to think around - does that make sense?
Indeed, I asked my future futurist acquaintance; so, would your futurist focus be on, would it be on construction or military tech, also paramount to our nation. Would you like to open a dialogue on "Future Fighting Force" potential eventualities and challenges we must be ready for in the future? If so, I'd like that very much and have lots of thoughts on this myself. I am very concerned with some of the de-funding of the Future Fighting Force Roadmaps I've read about in DOD, GAO, OMD documents. Indeed, I am pretty up on all the energy, construction, water filtration, and power generation concepts - and closely follow all military technologies as well.
I also told him "If you would like, I can forward the email newsletters I take so you can review them and allow that information to attach to your current knowledge." And I will extend that offer to anyone reading this article online, just tell me the industry sector, chances are I follow it as well, and can help you with more informational input.
Okay so, the question of "becoming" a Futurist of interest and with credibility is often one of marketing, by writing eBooks, books, papers, and doing interviews this helps on that front, also as much as you probably question all this new media (social networks) it "can" help if used correctly for a popular following. Even notables such as Kurzweil use these methods; tweets, email newsletters, blog posts, etc. If we look at his ground-swell we see the founding of organizations and the branding of an idea, or two, or in his case 6-8 combining them all; Singularity Concept.
Of course, Futurism w/branding and marketing does not make you "right" about the future, and really you do not have to always be right, sometimes it's better if you are wrong, but you warn of a potential future that is undesirable, thus, preventing it from happening, such as explaining a future risk in a direction of travel of a group, industry, society, or civilization. Unfortunately, you don't get much credit for those, "oh the woes of a genius," as those who solve problems tend to get the credit.
So, you need to have solutions to problems, and warn of future challenges too, and since humans don't listen often enough you can do both. That is to say prevent humans from destroying their communities, lives, and future, while also solving problems in the present period without them leading to the law of unintended consequences.
I offered to my acquaintance that if he would like to send me all his published papers, and articles, I would read them and then help him strategize on a marketing plan for himself and his drive forward (think flying car). Again that offer would go to anyone contacting me on becoming a futurist.
And I told my acquaintance; whatever you do, you must work to be accurate and be able to back up your arguments as you watch converging trends, and you have to be very careful to discharge the BS factor, PR, and political posturing as you set up your radar screen filter for this futurist endeavor.
If you are to become the "go-to" guy for questions on the future, one who companies, people, governments, and non-profits might call upon to make investment and policy decisions you are unfortunately going to have to have some bulls eye and several predictions come true to get notoriety, and/or market your personal brand and play a little bit of politics - "diplomacy is the art of letting others get your way" and that means people will come to you so you might verify their agenda, so without selling your soul you have to give them the reality of your findings without rubber stamping the junk science they have in tow, or their wishful thinking or dire disaster scare tactics.
You see, if you are knowledgeable and have all your facts to back you up, with endless examples to hold those your views, this builds reputation. When you study the newest technological advances and understand a good deal about many industries and sectors, it's really easy to see things that others don't. I told my acquaintance; okay for instance, you indicate that you are involved in construction management, real estate, and you have interests in clean water, sustainability, etc. Okay so, let's look there as an example;
"In the future homes will have carbon nano-tube, graphene sandwiched (composite roofs). They are super strong, lightweight in case of earthquake, don't burn, and manufacturing costs will come down. Also, you don't have to build super strong structures to hold the weight, lessening construction costs. Durability, plentiful element, bio-degradable, etc. Also they conduct electricity and can be solar, they can purify water as it drips off, and at night you can make them clear to let you sleep under the stars, and allow them to let in light by day, as directed and in the amount you want."
See that. Question is; why doesn't anyone else? They should. You should, you are in that business. Obviously, carbon nano-tubes, and graphene coatings, Bucky paper, etc. will be used for aircraft wings, race cars, blimps, and things which need to be light-weight and very strong, but why stop thinking there. Entrepreneurs in free-markets don't and they will find applications once it's available, and they will find ways to make it cost effective when it becomes possible. I mean look at plastic composite simulated wood decks, fences, etc.
So, a Futurist in that regard might announce this potential eventuality, perhaps get with some friends and file patents, and study up on how to make that all work, sell the idea, concept, or create a business. In fact, many do, and thus, drop off the Futurist Radar, because they see something and go do it, rather than just talk about it. This is a similar problem with academia, this is why entrepreneurial training for being a futurist is as or more important than degrees from college. Perhaps, why I am so good at it? Plus, being able to talk the language of business and entrepreneurs is really the key to take anything from concept to fruition, otherwise, "it's just talk," and we already have plenty of that, in fact, it's getting rather noisy.
Incidentally, I come up with 2-original thoughts per day, it's just a matter of thinking. I've trained myself to do this over decades, but anyone can, at least I believe that. My personal concepts are in all industries and human endeavors, and maybe this might be the type of futurist you will be, or maybe you will scan other industries, innovations and see how they will effect yours, in order to focus on a niche, and thus become an expert futurist in that sector. Since real estate, alternative energy, and construction deal with so many different sectors you'd have a better chance at really thinking beyond others due to your inherent On-the-Job-Training.
It's better for branding to be a futurist with a niche for marketing purposes. If you try to be the be-all-end-all of all industries and endeavors, few will take you seriously, even if you do spend your time working extremely hard to get it right. So, there is that, something I deal with actually.
Okay, let's open a dialogue on your chosen focus then?
The practice will be good for your Futurist Focus.
Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.
