Compass August 2024 - Big Questions

Editor Stephen Dupont curates 30 big hairy questions to challenge and inspire the global community of futurists. Elina Hiltunen argues that futurists should pay more attention to small things like phytoplankton and viruses that can have big impacts. Yuna Lee explores the perils of ignoring the future using the Willow Project and AI regulation as case studies. Riane Eisler details the whole-systems actions needed to build a more equitable peaceful and sustainable world. Krittika Sharma questions whether humans have a manifest destiny to colonize the universe before making things work on Earth. Rosa Alegria envisions the impact of universal futures education in schools to decolonize the imagination of children. Richard Slaughter questions the primacy of technoscience and its role in undermining humanly compelling futures. Chris Broad discusses the difficulty of futurists thriving under authoritarian or fascist regimes where dissent is suppressed. Eva Tomas Casado proposes using relational living metaphors to keep pace with a receding future horizon. Sean Pillot de Chenecey suggests critical questions for leaders to drive foresight-driven innovation. Thays Prado and Catherine Wilkins argue for embracing conflict as a necessary precursor to co-creating transformative futures. JT Mudge outlines the great ethical responsibility of futurists to include diverse voices and avoid colonizing the future. Finally Karen Oikonen and Julie Sommerfreund discuss the role of mindfulness in creating higher-quality immersive futures.