FuturePod EP 202 - Amplifying Cognition - Ross Dawson
Sep 30, 2024
Join Ross Dawson, a futurist and entrepreneur known for his work on cognitive evolution and AI workflows, as he shares his journey into futurism. He discusses the role of Zen in shaping present-focused futures and how scenario planning empowers leaders to navigate uncertainty. Ross emphasizes the importance of humans-plus-AI systems and explores the dichotomy of social media's effects on mental health. He advocates for AI governance while highlighting its capacity for solving climate issues and enhancing decision-making.
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Japan Leap Shaped A Futurist Career
- Ross Dawson moved to Japan with no job and no Japanese to explore culture and Zen, then became a financial journalist.
- That leap led him from finance to scenario work and ultimately to becoming a full-time futurist.
Zen Practice Informs Futures Work
- Ross lived in a Zen dojo for a year, practicing Zazen, retreats, and daily life routines.
- He learned Zen is work: presence in sweeping, cooking and cleaning shapes how we create the future.
Futurists Enrich Mental Models
- The core role of a futurist is enriching clients' mental models to widen possibilities.
- Ross frames futurists as communicators whose job is to change minds and open thinking to new options.
