Infinite Futures

Values, Goals, Vision.

European Futurists Conference Lucerne10-12 July 2005

Dr. Wendy L. SchultzInfinite Futures

http://www.infinitefutures.com/

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Stories from the future.

“…let us tell -- and listen to -- stories where people can hope, love, and cry…”

Story tellingengages

provokesstimulates dialogue, and

generates change.

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Scenarios

• Scenarios are futures for the HEAD: they allow us to explore our assumptions about possibilities.

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…vs. Visions• Visions are

futures for the HEART: allowing us to voice our most deeply felt values and goals.

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Binocular vision:adding depth of field

• Powerful organisations colonise the future: do you share Microsoft’s vision?

• We know from biology that monoculture creates vulnerability:– Strength in choice among competing

images of the future;– Let’s try an open source approach.

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Rangefinding our vision.

• An open source approach begins with each of us articulating and clarifying our own visions -- and then sharing.

• Let’s borrow a vision test format from opticians:– Focus your vision (preferred future) by

comparing contrasting possible futures, and choosing among them:

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Is this better?

A rural future?

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Or this?

An urban future?

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Is this better?

A future transformed by technology?

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Or this?

A future transformed by mental and spiritual attainments?

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A large-scale, nuclear energy future?

Is this better?

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Or this?

A small-scale, solar-powered future?

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Is this better?

A future of increasing digital pervasiveness and invasiveness?

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Or this?

A future of biological manipulation and transformation?

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From either/or to both/and.

• Either/or forced choices are artificial and unrealistic -- we want both.

• Searching for both/and solutions to conflicting goals and colliding trends:– Generates creativity and– Inspires transformational change.

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3-minute vision, 5-minute share:

• Envision what YOU want: imagine and write down 3 short, vivid, positive changes you want to see by 2025:– Be specific;– Be colourful;– Surprise yourself!

• Share with a person near you -- find at least one common change to create.

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Thank you!Dr. Wendy L. Schultz

Infinite Futures

http://www.infinitefutures.com/wendy@infinitefutures.com