The science fiction writer William Gibson once wrote: “The future is here. It just isn’t evenly distributed.” It’s a powerful insight because it implies that savvy business people, farsighted political leaders and even average citizens can discern the future if only they heed today’s emerging trends. Five current trends, in particular, appear poised to transform…

In the picture to the right, count the bars from the top and then count them from the bottom. Did you count ten the first time and seven the second time? I love optical illusions such as this one because they force us to acknowledge that the world isn’t always so black-or-white. Often, our starting…

Late last year, I released my annual list of predictions for 2012. In Trend #3 on “Augmented Political Reality” I wrote: “a new wave of social media political consultants will monitor live Twitter streams and use the feedback to adjust candidates’ teleprompter speeches in real time.” To this end, this article (Why Viewers Could Soon…

(Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from my forthcoming book, 20/20 Foresight: 20 Trends Which Will Transform Business in the Coming Decade, which I am writing with the able assistance of fellow futurist Simon Anderson, host of www.futur1st.com. This chapter covers trends in the emerging field of gaming dynamics.) A restroom in a Japanese pub might…

Foxconn, a large manufacturer of computer and electronic components in China, announced recently it intends to increase the number of robots it employs from 10,000 to 1 million–in the next three years! This is nothing short of astounding and offers yet another example of the power of exponential growth. Beyond its immediate impact for Foxconn as…

In 2005, I wrote a book entitled Soldier, Statesman, Peacemaker: The Leadership Lessons of General George C. Marshall. As a result, I have the opportunity to occasionally travel to Lexington, Virginia to speak at the Marshall Foundation. Recently, after one of my talks, I had the pleasure of listening to Terry Newell deliver a lecture…

The other day I discussed this interesting paradox involving bike helmets and suggested that innovative designers might be able to craft a solution. I'd now like to pose another opportunity to creative designers–design safer country roads. People mistakenly feel safer on country roads even though they are far more dangerous than urban streets. In fact,…

This wonderful commentary by David Brooks was recently brought to my attention. It is entitled A Case of Mental Courage and I highly recommend it. I especially enjoyed the final paragraphs: To use a fancy word, there’s a metacognition deficit. Very few in public life habitually step back and think about the weakness in their…