This week I attended a talk on the future. The speaker, Phil Balagtas who defines himself as a futurist, shared several concepts and frameworks that I found very interesting.
As a result of that talk I started to do some research and in the last few days I have learned more and more about the subject…
These are the the 6 highlights that impacted me the most:
H1: The future
Phil’s talk about the future honestly delighted me. I learned many things, however, what struck me the most is how a simple change of perspective can imagine (and eventually) create a completely different reality (future).
Here are some of the notes I captured during the talk:
- We are all futurists: In one way or another, we all think about what the future will be like and shape it with our actions and decisions.
- The future cannot be foreseen, but it can be designed: Imagining it, dreaming it and, eventually, working to design it is essential. As futurists, we actively participate in what that future might look like.
- Imagination, creativity and planning: These are the key tools of a futurist. It is not enough to see what is obvious; it is necessary to imagine what could be and strategically plan how to make it a reality.
- Creation versus imagination: It is often easier to create the future than to simply imagine it because our concrete actions can shape tangible results.
- Connecting the present with the future: Once we define what we want that ideal future to look like, the next step is to design tactics to try to turn that vision into reality.
- Accept uncertainty: The future is unpredictable, and being comfortable with the uncertainty and fear that comes with it is crucial. Accepting that we cannot control everything is the first step in moving confidently into the unknown.
- A future of possibilities: Depending on how we look at it, the future can be a source of opportunity or concern. The perspective we choose will significantly influence how we prepare to face it.
Now, the most curious part of the talk was when Phil shared the following image…
In 1930, a German margarine company called Echte Wagner, published a series of collectible cards entitled “Imagining the Future”.
In one of these images you can see 2 people having a video call, a technology that started to become popular in the late 90s.
In the images created by Echte Wagner, modern highways, spaceships, flying cars, monorails and other technologies that we use today were also imagined.
We are all futurists (even a margarine company)!
H2: The future and educators
Education is a fundamental aspect that largely determines the future development potential of our society. However, it is worrying how outdated many of our educational systems are and how little attention is paid to implementing essential practices and tools that allow children and adolescents to maximize their capabilities.
This is precisely the subject of Tony Wagner’s book: The Global Achievement Gap, why even our best schools don’t teach the new survival skills our children need and what we can do about it.
Interestingly, and in case you haven’t noticed, Wagner is not only the surname of the author of the book, it is also the surname of the founder of the margarine company, and just looking for the history of the company, I came across this book, synchronicities!
Now, getting back to the book, and although I haven’t finished reading it, I also have some notes I’d like to share with you, especially if you have children or grandchildren:
- Adults, and even more so in educational settings, must unlearn old paradigms and embrace new ways of understanding a world that is technologically advanced, hyper-connected and collaborative.
- It is crucial that educators develop innovative methodologies and transform the traditional educational model towards one that prioritizes curiosity, collaboration and exploration of individual potential.
- Educators must develop a growth mindset and then foster, nurture and enhance it in their students.
- Students should be empowered based on the idea that they are capable of achieving or learning anything, even if it requires effort. Educators must provide the logical, practical and emotional tools for students to accept and overcome challenges despite frustrations and setbacks.
- Educators need a significant update in how they perceive their role; it is not just about transmitting knowledge, but about facilitating true learning that is adaptive and relevant to the challenges of the new world we live in.
What do you think?
H3: Nostalgia (and optimism)
Another synchronicity I experienced while researching the future was to find several articles talking about nostalgia, which made me realize that I knew virtually nothing about it.
These are some of the things that caught my attention the most:
- In the 17th and 18th centuries, homesickness was considered a medical illness, with symptoms such as crying, tachycardia and anorexia. Until the 20th century, it was considered a psychiatric disorder.
- Fortunately, mental and behavioral health sciences have evolved to the point of discarding all the negative implications attributed to it in the past.
- The brain uses the five senses to evoke memories. Visual stimuli such as pictures, letters or messages often act as triggers. Equally influential are sounds – such as songs or poems – and aromas, tastes and textures, all of which can trigger memories and recollections.
According to the study, this is how (positive) nostalgia impacts optimism:
- Recalling and reliving happy memories helped participants become more aware that their lives are worth living and that they have many stories to tell.
- Nostalgia keeps us connected to others, especially when we feel lonely. Remembering friends or relatives generated joy, a sense of belonging and optimism in the participants.
- Nostalgia facilitates change and decision making. Recalling past accomplishments directly impacted participants’ levels of confidence and optimism.
- Nostalgia decreases symptoms of depression. The study also found that the more nostalgic the participants were, the more their symptoms of depression were reduced.
Although I mentioned it a couple of times, it is important to re-emphasize that the study refers to positive nostalgia (happy memories). My recommendation is that you avoid stimuli that can trigger negative recall and memories.
H4: “When I was 82 years old, I made such a big mess of myself… that I said “I’m going to the Faculty of Fine Arts to be taught”.
On Friday I came across the inspiring story of Miguel Angel Gallo, a man who, at the age of 90, has just graduated in Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona, Spain.
Below, I share with you this small report from “La Vanguardia” and I hope it inspires you as much as it did me ❤️
H5: Tesla and creation (a little reflection)
While researching futurism, I came across this quote from Nikola Tesla (another synchronicity)…
The scientific man does not seek an immediate result. He does not expect his advanced ideas to be readily accepted. Your work is like that of the sower, for the future! Their duty is to lay the groundwork for those to come and to show the way
…that made me reflect on why I do everything I do.
I have already written several times that my mission is to make a positive impact on the world), and while I am not a scientist, as a creator (and creative) I see myself reflected in Tesla’s words because I feel that is exactly what I do every day, sowing seeds.
Why do I do what I do? For the pure pleasure of creating and sharing something that can improve people’s lives.
Everything I do I live and enjoy in the present because I am fulfilling my purpose.
I have never worried about what people think of me, much less will I worry about what they will think when I am gone, although if, as Tesla said, I can lay the groundwork and inspire those who come after me, all the better.
H6: A quote and a final question
In times of drastic change, it is those who continue to learn who inherit the future. Those who think they already know everything are prepared to live in a world that no longer exists.
The world is changing and will continue to change, faster and faster. The easiest thing to do is to accept that we live (and will live) in a very different world from the one we grew up in. And this new world requires, whether we like it or not, that we adapt, unlearn and learn new things.
Are you doing it?
Until next Sunday, with 6 new highlights ❤️
Feedback? I would love to hear from you. Remember that you can contact me at any time through vladimir@younity.one.
