The Very Short Introductions Podcast The Future – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 7
Nov 2, 2020
Jennifer Gidley, an international futures researcher and former president of the World Future Studies Federation, explores the intriguing concept of the future. She discusses the need for futures thinking in light of global crises like climate change and pandemics. Gidley emphasizes that the future isn't predictable, highlighting the importance of human agency and alternative futures. She also shares insights on participatory futures that empower youth and the significance of scanning for weak signals that can guide transformative change.
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Futures Thinking Is Urgent
- Contemporary global crises — pandemic, climate change, geopolitical shifts — make futures thinking more urgent and relevant.
- Despite uncertainty, futures studies empowers people to imagine and design better futures through human agency.
Multiple Possible Futures
- There is no single future; quantum physics and complexity open many possible futures rather than a single predictable outcome.
- Futures studies maps multiple approaches to explore and shape these possible futures rather than just predict them.
Act Through Human Agency
- Use human agency to explore quantum possibilities rather than seeking absolute predictions.
- Engage in futures work to imagine, design and create better futures for all.
