Are you awash with trends, blogs and articles about the future in 2024? My in box is full! And I hate it, especially when people create a list of forecasts as if they are predicting the future. Some of the lists come up with the obvious extension of here and now. Others express their points as siloed ideas and discrete ‘future’ chunks. Others come up with a funky name for something of little consequence. So I’m not going to do that.
Instead, here are some resources that I have really enjoyed in the last year. You may find something in here that takes you further on your journey of futuring. I am hoping that you will share some of your recommendations so we can all learn together.
Books
Non-fiction
![]() | This was my favourite book of the year. It reminded me that play and imagination are critical, especially to move beyond entrained thinking. There is a strong focus on the power of collaboration, community building and being an agent of change. The power of the “What if..” question resonates strongly with my futures work and the openness to consider opportunities. It’s a book rich with ideas, full of practical examples such as reimagining the role of public streets. I think I need to share this book with a few politicians… |
![]() | I, Human reaffirmed some of my thinking about the role we play in the design and use of AI. There is a lot of hype and noise out there. I am interested in the role of people and what changes are happening in society. The book was a bit repetitive and a little USA centric, but still good. I did find myself nodding when reading that curiosity is becoming rarer in the AI age. And this, “One day in the no-so-distant-future, we will be grateful for all the undocumented and unregistered moments of our lives that exist only in our memories.” It comes back to the importance of us remaining unpredictable, in control and Uniquely Human. |
![]() | I have enjoyed becoming more familiar with Julian Bleeker’s work through the explanations and journeying he and others share in this book. They share lots of practical examples of their work with great images and prototypes to support this. Design Fiction seems like a great addition to help organisations uncover their blind spots and false assumptions; and to entertain uncertainty. It reinforces futuring as a collaborative practice. It does explain how Design Fiction can play a major role in strategy. I admire people who are expert in this space as it doesn’t come so naturally to me. |
Fiction
Blogs and Recordings
![]() | In 2023 I hosted Sophie Howe, the First Commissioner for Future Generations in Wales. During her visit to Ōtautahi Christchurch Te Pūtahi Centre for Architecture and City Making partnered for a City Conversation. Sophie shared many valuable insights with some actionable take aways. Many of us here in Aotearoa are keen to explore the creation of a Commissioner for Future Generations here. Conversations on intergenerational fairness have continued, supported by the School of International Futures (SOIF). |
![]() | In this podcast Frank Spencer chats with Nora Bateson on the theme of Pathways of the Unimagined. There are some hidden gems in here, which led me to buy her latest book Combining (just started.) Nora shares some of her poems and the importance of finding a door that does not track on old rails. I particularly like this quote from her poem Something New, “Change is when I look back and see I did not see and know that I still don’t know.” This reminds me that my most important work is to continually reflect on myself, my assumptions and biases. That’s why Personal Futures is so important to me. |
![]() | I co-hosted Heart, Head, and Hand: An Evolutionary, Organic, and Natural Approach to Foresight with Frank Spencer, Founder and Principal at TFSX. This work takes futures into a space that transforms our broken systems to become more human, more planetary, and more cosmologically conscious. There is so much to unpack in this work, exploring the Head (Holoptic Foresight) the Heart (Natural Foresight) and the hand (Transformational Foresight). I love the work of TFSX and encourage everyone to explore their programmes and resources. |
![]() | Sean Pillot de Chenecey has partnered with the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies to deliver this focuses on understanding today and anticipating the future. Discussing these subjects via the stories and viewpoints of his guests. Two of my favourites Matt Klein ‘Trend Spotting: AI vs Human’ and Johanna Hoffman ‘Speculative Futures: illuminating the way ahead’ Johanna is a designer, urbanist and strategist with a book that focuses on speculative futures and city building. It ties in really well with the conversation we had with Sophie Howe (see the recording ealrier in the blog) and also with the new ideas growing in Speculative Futures Tamaki Makaurau. |
Oceania Favourites
![]() | Aotearoa Futures Network Map The purpose of this network is to visualise the relationships and interactions among futures practitioners so that we can maximise the potential for collaboration and alignment across sectors, and accelerate collective action toward a more just, equal and sustainable Aotearoa for future generations. It’s a great initiative spearheaded by Victoria Mulligan. |
![]() | This excellent resource was developed by Alice Dimond and the team at Tokona te Raki. It starts with the question “What is the world you want to leave behind for your mokopuna? Tokona te Raki ran a series of workshops with whānau, imagining different scenarios to challenge assumptions and stretch thinking. These were then aggregated into four scenarios to continue the conversation for a preferred future for the iwi 2050. I like the addition of the Whānau Scenario Grids as it gives insight into the three different generational conversations. There is also a great discussion guide to stimulate thinking. I am a huge fan of the Tokona te Raki team – world leaders as indigenous future makers. |
![]() | This Strategic Foresight Toolkit for Pacific Practice has been developed in the Pacific by those who have been leading the futures and foresight journey there. It is values led and uses the metaphors and stories that align with their context. The Toolkit currently has five chapters, sharing tools and ideas that are really practical. Each tool includes what it is, when to use it, why to use it and where to find more information. It’s a real treasure trove and a useful toolkit for anyone wanting to start their futures journey. This is important work in Oceania and reflects a huge amount of work and dedication from the Pacific Community team. |
Hat tips
Finally, here are two credible places that help me focus and sift signal from noise.
That’s it folks. I believe that we learn best when we collaborate. I’d love you to share your recommendations and your feedback.
Thanks for including The Apple Tree in your great list and sharing the picture too, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and got that the audience isn’t really children …
if any of you do want a copy just leave a comment or DM, info is at this link including the song composed for the book by Matthew Goldsworthy.