Articles

“Future proofing” is an outdated relic Long before the recent surge in foresight’s popularity, the phrase “Future Proof” had been a staple of organizations and governments around the world. The idea of “Future Proofing” is to use the methodologies of foresight and futures thinking as a way to minimize risk; develop plans for securing relevance in the face of disruptive forces; and support efforts to centralize, quantify, predict, and mollify the future. There’s only one problem with the idea of…

It’s no secret that Futures Thinking has been growing in popularity within organizations and governments in recent years, and many of these entities now have foresight practitioners on staff. However, it is often framed within the context of more traditional practices such as strategic planning, trend analysis and research, forecasting, data mining, competitive intelligence and organizational development. Though foresight can certainly apply to and improve those practices — and reshape them to respond to the exponentially changing environment of the…

As many of you are probably aware, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future, an inter-governmentally negotiated and action-oriented agreement which U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described as a “step-change towards more effective, inclusive, networked multilateralism.” This landmark pact was part of the larger Summit of the Future held in New York City that “brought world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.” The summit…

Libraries are the Future Libraries have always been pillars of knowledge and community, but their role is rapidly evolving in today’s world. In this insightful conversation, Dawn La Valle, Director of Library Development for the Connecticut State Library, discusses how strategic foresight can empower libraries to bridge the digital divide, combat misinformation, and co-create inclusive futures for all. Thanks to the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Connecticut State Libraries, TFSX has trained over 600 library professionals in the…

In a world that is enamored with short-term actions, incremental innovation, and quantifying everything, it’s important to understand that “forecasting” and “foresight” are not the same thing. They may have the future in common, but that does not make them equals. Forecasting uses quantitative data and trends in an attempt to fill in gaps and extrapolate outcomes. However, data by its very nature is a snapshot of the past (just as trends are the present – you know about them…

GFAC Live! event We’re meticulous about what we eat, but what about what we consume mentally? With seven hours a day spent bombarded by media from all angles, it’s time we reassess our digital diets. In this GFAC Live! recording, Mario Vasilescu, founder of Readocracy, dives into how our media consumption affects us and offers strategies for a healthier, more mindful approach to information. https://vimeo.com/851719067/8fe631fce2?share=copy

Embodying the Future into Existence In this important interview, Dr. Camila Mozzini- Alister pulls on her years of study, practice, and experiential public installations to address how the human body is the first and ultimate creative substratum, noting that the entirety of material reality we have created around us is shaped by the human body. Throughout the process of observing relationships between bodies, we must understand how we are shifting the perception of ourselves through the technologies and technological pathways…

Panel Discussion Explore the transformative potential of foresight in the panel discussion “Foresight at the End of the World,” hosted by Sarah Owen from Futures Friends and moderated by Frank Spencer of TFSX. This session redefines foresight as an intrinsic ability spanning biological, psychological, and sacred dimensions, guiding us toward regenerative models. Esteemed panelists, including Dr. Marcus Bussey, Zan Chandler, Thomas Klaffke, Pablo Reyes Arellano, Bárbara Ferrer Lanz, Sahana Chattopadhyay, and Akash Das emphasize diverse narratives, human-centered practices, and cultural…

Reclaiming Our Cooperative Potential We can talk about trends, emerging issues, change, and future visions as much as we want – and generate excitement about the positive potential of futures thinking for our businesses and governments – and still never escape the gravity of our guiding narratives fashioned around domination and competition. Constructing these futures are very different on the surface but fundamentally driving the same destructive nature at their core. In this formative interview, TFSX co-founder Frank Spencer speaks…

If you’ve learned about Strategic Foresight recently, you’re likely wondering how to start socializing it to the broader organization. You recognize that there’s disruption and opportunity just on the horizon and you want to capitalize on that information without interrupting the flow of everyday business. Sadly, the future is not on everyone’s radar (except if you’re talking risk, or certainty). You need creative ways to inspire the team to consider the pull of the future without overwhelming them. Here’s five…