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MAJOR TRAJECTORIES, WORLDVIEWS & ISSUES SHAPING THE FUTURE
The time horizon for the following list of interconnected thematic issues and their consequences implies trajectories stretching out some 50 years. Although many would regard climate change, population demographics and the excessive use of natural resources such as water, as the most critical trends today, we have tried to draw relevant connections with other issues, such as the kid of human behaviour exhibited in 'the tragedy of the commons' for example, so as to map the tensions that shape the emergent structural dynamics of society.
A word of caution is in order. Creating clusters of critical patterns and trends is fraught with difficulties at the best of times as it can so easily reinforce a universally prevalent problem-solving mindset instead of enabling higher levels of consciousness. An integral approach to understanding alternative futures, and humanity's power to change what may seem inevitable, is urgently needed. This must be based not just on possible external events but the fundamental thinking, assumptions and beliefs underlying current strategic responses - especially those that have given rise to unintended consequences.
History demonstrates that governments and societies frequently wait for a catastrophe to occur before enacting policies to change what by then have become dire and potentially irreversible consequences. An obvious example is the way deep ocean fishing technologies have all but destroyed stocks of fish in over 70 per cent of the world's oceans. In spite of scientific modelling anticipating such damage, negligent government policies focused on immediate profits rather than longer-term solutions merely accelerated this loss. The greatest risk to humanity during these early years of the 21st century is that we will fail to use the knowledge we have to create early and intelligent policy responses to issues like climate change, global warming and alternative energies.
It should be remembered, too, that numerous myths abound and sometimes it is difficult to separate these from reality - e.g. peak oil is not a simple statistic ('Which year did oil production peak?') but a complex issue subject to many variable factors. Depending upon the context there could be many possible answers to this deceptively simple question. But perhaps this question is the wrong question to be asking. The truth shifts constantly. Media self-censorship weaves stories that are unreal - leading us to focus on issues (and develop policies) that are not as important as many politicians and the press would have us believe (e.g. bio-security linked terrorism) while ignoring others that are critically important. Then again, some well-meaning experts actually hinder the process of broader discussion and debate in society because of their entrenched views and assumed solutions.
That said, the following 14 interdependent themes synthesize a rich picture of current world dynamics and consequent issues.
DOWNLOAD THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD VOLUME 9 - ISSUE 4 - OCTOBER 2007
Release 2.0
The Hames Group
Chicago Research Team
January 15th 2007
© Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.hamesgroup.com
New research has exposed our leadership paradigm as a outdated mess of flawed models and practices. By working with great leaders and observing their common attitudes and behaviours, Richard Hames has cracked a universal code based on intelligence, appreciation and collaboration. This code unlocks Five Literacies of Global Leadership.
