Looking Outside Dystopic Futures: Nik Badminton, Global Futurist

Sep 26, 2023

Nikolas Badminton, a global futurist and mentor to leaders, delves into dark futures and the art of gritty foresight. He emphasizes the importance of confronting unpleasant realities instead of chasing unrealistic optimistic visions. The discussion reveals the pitfalls of predicting technology's path, the challenges of AI creativity, and the necessity of bridging idealism with actionable goals. Nik also explores the emotional toll of societal trauma and the role of futurists in fostering hope, urging us to cultivate resilient narratives for a better future.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

Navigating Future Predictions

03:14 • 9min

Navigating the Hype of Emerging Technologies

12:15 • 3min

Exploring Ownership and Quality in Open AI Creativity

15:16 • 2min

Envisioning Dual Futures

16:52 • 15min

Hope Engineering Amidst Trauma

32:07 • 11min

Facing Our Futures

How foresight, futures design and strategy creates prosperity and growth

Nikolas Badminton

The Usborne Book of the Future

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Usborne Publishing

The Usborne Book of the Future is a children's book that explores various aspects of future technologies and societies. It features illustrations of futuristic concepts, including spaceships and advanced technology. The book aims to spark children's imagination and interest in the possibilities of the future. It likely includes sections on transportation, communication, and living environments of the future. The book's impact is evident in Tom Cheesewright's career path, demonstrating its ability to inspire young minds to consider future possibilities.

1984

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George Orwell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

Animal Farm

George Orwell

Published in 1945, 'Animal Farm' is a novella that allegorically represents the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalinism. The story begins with Old Major, a boar, inspiring the animals of Manor Farm to rebel against their human oppressor, Mr. Jones. After the rebellion, the animals rename the farm 'Animal Farm' and establish a utopian society based on the principles of equality and solidarity, known as Animalism. However, as time passes, the pigs, led by Napoleon and Snowball, consolidate power and gradually corrupt the original ideals, leading to a dystopian regime that mirrors the oppressive human rule they initially rebelled against. The novel critiques totalitarianism and the corrupting nature of power, reflecting Orwell's experiences and views on the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule.

In this episode of Looking Outside we venture into dark futures with global futurist Nikolas Badminton, crossing over the line of realism into dystopia.

Nikolas spent 30 years at the front line of emerging futures, aiding organizations and governments in the anticipating risks that lie ahead and shaking people out of unrealistic expectations. He says now he is hired to do the type of work he’d normally get fired for, as, often, Nik is tasked with telling people the future they are excited about is not going to happen, and prompting frank conversations. He uses ‘impossible’ scenarios to paint preposterous futures, those ideas about the future that appear ridiculous, in order to bring people out of their self interests or away from a yearning for nostalgia.

While positive futures are important, Nik says facing into the fact that ‘bad stuff does exist’ is the important starting point. We often see plans or goals that are so far out, particularly in government policies, that are psychologically disconnected from the people planning them and therefore aren’t designed to provide anything tangible enough to motivate people to act.

Jo and Nik also discuss the need to help organizations see beyond the ‘garbage’ that is out there about emerging risks and trends, often sensationalized, by painting change as accretive, with layers of complexity constantly building, instead of as hinging on a ‘switch’ from one state to another. Nik describes the need to bring people into future states by first taking them into the hybrid state where things are transitioning, seeking out evidence of the future to provide the missing link between disruption and strategy. Often we hear change is happening faster than ever before, but Nik counters that; “If you think things are happening quickly you’re not paying attention”.

To look outside, Nik moves away from his work quite literally by cycling around Toronto's water parks and trails, while listening to music or a podcast. He says through this, his thoughts become clearer and he is happier.

Nikolas Badminton is a global futurist speaker and Chief Futurist that mentors top executives and the highest levels of government to explore desirable futures, anticipate unforeseen risks, and strengthen strategic planning.

He has spent 30+ years working with leadership at over 400 leading organizations at the frontline of futures, strategy and disruption - including NASA, Disney, Google, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, WM, JP Morgan, Verizon, VISA, TD Bank, American Express, BISCI, ISACA, Rolls Royce, Procter & Gamble, US Department of State, UK Home Office, United Nations, and many more.

Facing Our Futures: How foresight, futures design and strategy creates prosperity and growth - is Nikolas’ number one best selling book and has been named as JP Morgan Private bank’s ‘Next Gen Pick’ for their prestige 2023 Summer Reading List to guide new leaders to ignite curiosity and embrace futures thinking.

Nikolas’ essential research has been featured by the BBC, VICE, The Atlantic, Fast Company, Business Insider, Forbes, Sunday Telegraph and many others. He appears on SIRIUSXM and CTV regularly, was a key advisor to the ‘Age of AI’ series with Robert Downey Jr, and appears in the Franklin Institute's series ‘2050’.

Find out more about Nik Badminton at www.futurist.com
Follow Nik on LinkedIn, YouTube and Blue Sky.
Check out Nik's new book, Facing Our Futures
Learn about Professor Jim Dator's Laws of the Future and Alternative Futures.

Looking Outside is a podcast dedicated to exploring fresh perspectives of familiar business topics. The show is hosted by its creator, Joanna Lepore, consumer goods innovator and futurist at McDonald's. Find out more at looking-outside.com.

Connect with Jo and join the Looking Outside community on LinkedIn.

OBOY & Matt Wigton music features in Episode 43.