Book description
We are on the cusp of a revolution. Mobile phones, computers and
iPods are commonplace in hundreds of millions of households worldwide,
influencing how we think and shaping how we interact. With the
gathering of information now largely automated, it leaves room for
deeper conceptual thinking. The trouble is, says futurist Richard
Watson, such deep thinking cannot take place if we never really sit
still or completely switch off from the connected world. In this
absorbing new book, Watson argues that despite the advances of the
digital age, it has also robbed us of some of our best ideas; to
regain them, he advocates for the benefits of boredom and going solo,
among other techniques. Future Minds illustrates how to maximize the
potential of digital technology and minimize its greatest downside,
addressing the future of thinking and how we can ensure that we
unleash the extraordinary potential of the human mind.
A great case for how to think, not what to think in these fast moving
and complex times. Watson's message is clear - our innate imagination
and human ability to think deeply about life and issues are the best
assets we have to deliver us safely to the future. Full of wonderfully
inspired quotations, sage predictions and abundance of source material
this is a "how to" that is a definitely a "must
have." - Ellen Sideri, Founder & CEO, ESP Trendlab, New York
Richard Watson is an author, speaker and consultant who helps
individuals and organizations to think ahead, with a particular emphasis
on scenario planning. He is the founder of nowandnext. com, a website
that documents global trends, and is co-founder of Strategy Insight, a
scenario planning consultancy. His clients have included, among others,
IBM, McDonald's, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Virgin, Department of
Education, Public Libraries NSW, Ikea, Toyota, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.
Richard also writes for a number of business publications worldwide,
including Fast Company (US), Future Orientation(Denmark), and Retail
Banking Review (Australia). Richard was born in the UK and divides his
time, rather unsuccessfully, between London and Sydney. Apart from two
future minds (aged 8 and 10), his other interests include old cars, old
wine, and fixing things in sheds.
