If you’ve got a great idea for a future venture, here’s some humble advice: Don’t listen to people who claim to have seen everything. First, I seriously doubt they have “seen everything.” And, if they really have seen everything, there is one thing they can’t have seen—and that’s what has not yet been created! (Remember:…

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Alan Kay This is a wonderful quotation and, as a futurist, I often use it. What is often overlooked in the statement is this tiny tidbit: Because everyone can create, everyone—and I mean everyone–has a role to play in the future. So what…

Like millions of other parents across America, I spent this morning watching my son’s soccer game. On the sideline, not far from me, was the parent of an opposing player wearing a t-shirt that read “Fear Failure”. As a competitive person, I understand the sentiment behind the slogan but it is an awful message. If…

As a parent, I believe we must constantly encourage our children to nurture and expand the creativity with which they are all inherently endowed. Unfortunately, as Ken Robinson explains in this brilliant TED talk, many schools are unintentionally yet, nevertheless, ruthlessly and systematically killing our children’s creativity. Luckily, creative adults are coming to the rescue….

Yesterday, I shared how Google’s new “Project Glass” might soon allow users to receive real-time voice translations of foreign conversations and, thus, render the need to learn a second language unnecessary. Many people–especially pessimists–immediately grasp how the technology might cause some foreign language instructors to lose their jobs. This is overly simplistic. I’d also encourage…

With most of America now roasting through a horrendous heat wave, many people are undoubtedly coming up with innovative ways to stay cool. Few, however, are as innovative as the Ministry of Supply’s new self-cooling shirts. Take a look at the company’s introductory video and I think you’ll catch a glimpse of the future of…

“It’s sad that we never get trained to leave assumptions behind.” “We should question all the rules–we should break all the rules.” “I like to put myself in the most uncomfortable position.” These three wonderful quotes (found in this article: What’s Next for Silicon Valley) come from Sebastian Thurn, the iconoclastic thinker and doer behind…

Last year, in a survey of global CEO’s, it was said that creativity and innovative thinking would be the most critical skills of the future. As a futurist and business forecaster, I agree. It’s a cliche to say we need “to think outside the box” but I want to share with you just two ideas…

As a frequent keynote and conference speaker, I’m constantly looking for ways to connect with my audiences. One of the better methods to help them understand and appreciate how the future may—or may not—change is to use common cultural references. One of my favorite ways of doing this is to share interesting insights from Hollywood…

(Editor’s Note: I’m currently working with the Office of Resource Development and Innovation at the Minneapolis Public Schools to deliver a four-part leadership development series on future technologies, the need for “unlearning” and the importance of change management. The office is currently seeking grants applications for innovative blended-learning school models and, in order to help…