Insights · October 10th, 2022
All futurists are sell outs…that’s right – you, me, everyone.
The industrial complex, our Internet and the apps that whizz and blur interacting with our digiphrenic lives. And, capitalism grabs even the most socialistic society.
We can continue to preen our feathers and be forthright with our thoughts or embolden broken systems. Or, we can find solutions deep in culture and society that challenge the adverse technological and industrial marvels we behold each day.
We can ask WHAT IF…
We can understand that we are on a scale of selling out.
I have to ask, that as a professional futurist, how much are you a sell out? Do you
- Attend professional forums in countries with very shaky human rights records?
- Support the democratic process in ways that fights against that very way of life?
- Work with the military and intelligence services?
- With indigenous communities – from newborn to elder?
- Perform activist activities and fund rebel rousers?
- Drive a fossil-fuel based car and love it?
- Drive an electric vehicle but still fly business class?
- Generate a huge amount of home waste?
- Throw away organic materials into the landfill?
- Eat fast food?
- Wear fast fashion for those few days a year that it works with the rising temperatures?
- Make your own clothes and shoes and sneakers?
- Sunbathe?
- Feel guilt for so many polluting activities you undertake and do little to adjust?
- Still have an occasional cigarette?
- Want to pay less taxes and expect the world to change drastically?
- Go to / don’t go to religious festivals and places of worship?
- Eat meat?
- Grow your own food and raise your own animals?
- Convert your property to solar and efficient ways of heating yet rely on municipal services?
- HODL Bitcoin and lay low?
- Burn wood at campfires?
- Work for big tech?
- Post happily to Instagram but lambast Meta (Facebook)?
- Analyze each part of your life and seek out sustainable supply chains?
- Take funding from shady investors to save your startup?
We could go on and on…
10,000+ years of ‘civilization’ has fomented apathy in the form of a ‘way of life’ and ‘good living’. It’s supported war, famine, slavery, capitalism at any cost as much as it’s created loving families, supportive society and good communities.
The truth about 2022 is that we live in a corrupt and hungry world.
Our choice is to know how far to be implicated in the good and bad that companies do. How to shift mindsets away from abundance in terms of money and towards a better way of life, equity and equality for everyone.
As futurists, we must use our super powers for good – every damn day.
We have to embrace being a sell out so we can reflect, change and step up to change the companies and governments we work within.
Can the future be a positive place for all? YES!
Can it head into dark futures? ABSOLUTELY.
So, what are you going to do? To change? To stop in its tracks and say enough?
We’re waiting…
Facing Our Futures
Civilization is gaining pace, yet it feels we are becoming less civilized
We celebrate our progress, yet we are caught in a failing Industrial Complex
Our world is strained by unsustainable practices inherited from the last 300 years of capitalism, greed, and conflict. And, while we should be collectively looking for solutions to avoid collapse, we’re distracted by luxury, convenience, game play and media noise.
We have forgotten that our actions today resonate through the annals of time. And, we must reconnect with our dreams, our people, our planet, and our futures.
I believe our hope, unity, and our joint resolve will disrupt the noise of the industrial complex I believe we can set the right course for the next thousand years and beyond. And, we start that journey today…
You can preorder Nikolas’ new book ‘Facing Our Futures’ at Amazon, Bloomsbury, Barnes and Noble and other fine purveyors of books. We’s also love it if you considered pre-ordering from your local, independent book store as well.
Please contact futurist speaker and consultant Nikolas Badminton to discuss your engagement or event.
