Art of foresight
- 1. A Special Report from the World Future Society The Art of Foresight Preparing for a Changing World PHOTOS.COM F oresight is the secret ingredient of success, because without foresight we cannot prepare for the future. Effective foresight has always been important in human life, ing major life decisions. In contrast to Hald’s success, people who lack foresight are only too likely to find themselves unem- ployed when jobs are unexpectedly lost to new technologies, but it is now much harder to come by, because our modern competition from overseas, or shifts in consumer tastes. Without world is changing faster than ever before. Our technologies, foresight, we often have little idea of what to do next, so devel- jobs, institutions, even some of our treasured values and ways of oping our foresight may be the best way to safeguard our current thinking are all shifting radically, making it very difficult to plan jobs and future employability. ahead and prepare for future challenges and opportunities. In- Foresight may also save our lives. Here’s why: Scientists are deed, in our age of hyperchange, many people have no notion of identifying more and more ways for us to live longer, healthier, what sort of world they should prepare for. They may decide, fa- and happier lives, but we have to decide to follow their advice. talistically, that they cannot know or do anything about their People lacking foresight are only too likely to disregard the own futures. practices that would safeguard their future health and well- Foresight, in contrast to fatalism, gives us increased power to being. Millions of people are alive today because they paid at- shape our futures, even in the most turbulent of times. People tention when scientists confirmed the enormous damage that who can think ahead will be prepared to take advantage of all smoking cigarettes does to the human body. Meanwhile, their the new opportunities that rapid social and technological neighbors and friends who continued to smoke have succumbed progress are creating. to lung cancer, heart disease, and strokes. Education is another area where foresight is important. Stu- dents lacking foresight are more likely to neglect their studies Success Through Foresight because they see no connection between education and a suc- The relation of foresight to success is poorly understood. As a cessful future. But students with good foresight skills can recog- result, we often think people are successful because of luck, nize the importance of studying and can also select the courses when in fact it was their foresight that made them “lucky.” Fore- most likely to help them meet their goals. sight enabled them to take advantage of opportunities and to Young people who do not learn to think ahead may find it diffi- avoid problems that trap other people. cult to plan for a successful marriage and family life. People whose Alan Hald, a young Arizona banker with a strong interest in the foresight is weak are likely to have difficulty saving money for future, attended a World Future Society conference in the 1970s. emergencies, down payments on homes, and retirement. There he met the editor of a new magazine for computer hobby- Foresight is particularly important for investments, and excep- ists. At the time, nobody but governments and big businesses tionally good foresight can bring riches. Warren Buffett, one of could afford to build a computer, but Hald had the foresight to see the world’s most successful investors, won his wealth by being that the future of computers would be very different from the past, able to identify inexpensive companies that were likely to pros- and many new business opportunities would open up. per in the future. Hald went home in great excitement to talk to his partner about starting a business in computers. In the following years, Hald’s business (MicroAge) grew into America’s largest micro- Foresight in Business and Government computer distributor, serving dealers around the world. People in business can use foresight to identify new products Foresight is critical to success in all areas of our lives, includ- and services, as well as markets for those products and services. © 2005 World Future Society, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 450, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, U.S.A. Telephone 1-301-656-8274. www.wfs.org. Printed in the U.S.A. Permission to reprint is hereby granted provided that this copyright information and the World Future Society’s address are included.
- 2. 2 The Art of Foresight Futuring: Profession An increase in minority populations in a neighborhood would prompt a grocer with fore- sight to stock more foods linked to ethnic tastes. An art museum director with foresight Or Point of View? might follow trends in computer graphics to make exhibits more appealing to younger visitors. Futuring can be viewed as either a Foresight may reveal potential threats that we can prepare to deal with before they professional activity or a mind-set. Pro- become crises. For instance, a corporate manager with foresight might see an alarming fessional futurists are often consultants rise in local housing prices that could affect the availability of skilled workers in the who must meet their clients’ needs; region. The public’s changing values and priorities, as well as emerging technologies, they help draw the “maps” of the demographic shifts, economic constraints (or opportunities), and environmental and re- future and identify the obstacles (and source concerns are all parts of the increasingly complex world system in which leaders opportunities) along the way. must govern effectively. But many “futurists”—in fact, most People in government also need foresight to keep systems running smoothly, to plan members of the World Future Society budgets, and to prevent wars. Government leaders today must deal with a host of new —are not professional futurists. Occu- problems emerging from rapid advances in technology. pations and backgrounds are richly Technology-assessment expert Vary T. Coates notes that, “Technology-related issues varied: students and deans, clerks and today besiege Congress across the range of committee responsibilities—stem-cell CEOs, architects and ambassadors, research and human cloning, missile defense, cellular telephones, genetically engineered poets and planners, engineers and edi- foods, the Internet, and much more—because technology has become a central part of tors, musicians and marketers, farmers modern life.” and fashion designers. Even at the community level, foresight is critical: School officials, for example, need Futurists share a passion for ideas foresight to assess numbers of students to accommodate, numbers of teachers to hire, and a desire to look over the horizon new educational technologies to deploy, and new skills for students (and their teachers) to see what’s going on in the world, to develop over the coming years. what it could lead to, and what they can do about it. The Growth of Foresight Techniques As former NATO ambassador Many of the best-known techniques for foresight were developed by U.S. military plan- Harlan Cleveland once put it, futurism ners, when the post–World War II atomic age made it critical to “think about the unthink- should be everyone’s “second profes- able” and prepare for it. Pioneering futurists at the RAND Corporation (the first think tank) sion.” It is difficult to imagine anyone began seriously considering what new technologies might emerge in the future and how in any profession who would not these might affect U.S. security. These RAND futurists, along with others elsewhere, re- benefit from mastering the tools of fined a variety of new ways for thinking about the future. futuring. Futurists have recognized that the future is continuous with the present, so we can learn a great deal about what may happen in the future by looking systematically at what is happening now. The key thing to watch is not events (sudden developments or one- day occurrences) but trends (long-term ongoing shifts in such things as population, land use, technology, and governmental systems). Futurists also developed the use of scenarios as an extremely useful way to think about the future. A scenario is not a prediction purporting to state definitely what will happen in the future, but rather a plausible description of events that might occur in the future. Scenarios are fictional, but realistic anticipations of what may happen in the future. Using scenarios, we can think seriously about what we should do next. In some cases, we may want to prevent these potential future events from happening; in other instances, we may want to cause them to happen or even hurry them along. Using these techniques and many others, futurists now can tell us many things that may happen in the future. Some are nearly certain to happen, such as the continuing expansion in the world’s population. Other events are viewed as far less likely, but could be extremely important if they do occur, such as an asteroid colliding with the planet. Ways to Anticipate the Future We may not be aware of it, but we all develop, in the course of growing to adulthood,
- 3. Trend Analysis: The Increase of the Elderly in the Population Background Environment TV, other media. More products, pro- The world is experiencing an increase Causes: Careful treat- grams, and institutions will be designed in elderly people. To clarify the implica- ment of sewage and specifically for the elderly. tions of this trend, the staff of the World other sanitary measures. Future Society has identified a number of Protection of soil, water, Technology the causes of the trend and possible ef- and other resources. Re- Causes: New drugs fects that the trend will have. duction of air pollution. and medical devices This sample trend analysis is organized Effects: Need for preserve lives. Commu- according to the six-sector “DEGEST” ap- more resources of almost every kind to nications and trans- proach used by many business analysts meet needs of swelling elderly popula- portation improvements and futurists and by THE FUTURIST mag- tion. Special pressures on areas favored make resources more azine’s World Trends & Forecasts section. by elderly—e.g., Florida, Arizona. available. Effects: Elderly will push innovation by Demography Government providing a growing market for drugs and Causes: Women bear Causes: Social Secu- technologies to overcome their disabili- fewer children, allowing rity ensures basic sup- ties. Techno-furnishings—high-tech chairs, more resources for those port for needy; tax- beds, tables, sinks, toilets, etc.—may they do have. Higher lev- advantaged retirement become popular as elderly seek solutions els of education lead to programs also help to their living problems. If researchers better self-care and use elderly meet their gain understanding of senescence (aging of medical services. needs. Government process), a means might be found to ex- Effects: Declining percentage of chil- funding of medical research allows steady tend human lives for centuries. dren in population. Fewer elderly will flow of new medical knowledge and have working family members to help treatments. Laws protect people against Implications them with their disabilities and living physical abuse or injury from employers, You don’t expect to live to 100? Nei- problems. Increase in percentage of dis- environment, criminals, etc. ther did most centenarians, but it hap- abled in the population. Elderly may face Effects: Increasing burden on Social pened. If you live to be 90 or 100, will backlash from younger people forced to Security and government programs to as- you outlive your retirement savings? Will pay for their upkeep. Elderly may break sist elderly and disabled. Elderly grow as you postpone retirement, or even experi- up into new categories—octogenarians, political constituency demanding bene- ence it at all? nonagenarians, centenarians, and super- fits. People may agitate against laws re- Governments in many developed old (over 110). quiring that they spend down their indi- countries are seeking ways to keep aging vidual retirement accounts. Government populations from becoming a drain on Economics finances strain under burden of support- future national resources. For example, Causes: Rising living ing retirees paying few taxes. As less Japan, facing the most severe aging trend, standards—more abun- money is available for meeting other na- has enacted substantial benefit cuts to its dant food, shelter, tional priorities, policies might become in- national pension system, which will re- public-health measures, creasingly drastic, such as completely pri- quire some workers to work to later ages. etc. vatizing Social Security. There is likely to be a growing market Effects: More years in for services used by the elderly—medical, retirement. Fewer re- Society home care, etc. Products designed for sources may be available for children and Causes: Communica- disabled elderly people—drugs, prosthet- working adults due to the increase in the tions media and educa- ics, etc.—should be in growing demand. nonworking population. Businesses may tional system influence These trends may suggest career and in- need to come up with more incentives to people to safeguard vestment opportunities. Should you think keep older workers on the payrolls their health. about targeting the elderly as prospects longer. Effects: Families have for your products or services? more elderly to care for. Parents’ resources may be diverted from their children to aging relatives. Elderly may become increasingly prominent in PHOTOS: PHOTOS.COM
- 4. 4 The Art of Foresight Top 10 Reasons to a variety of ways for thinking about the future. Most of us use these methods without Watch Trends being consciously aware of just what we are doing. Futurists anticipate, forecast, and assess future events by using a variety of rational, World Future Society members empirical, and scientific techniques. These methods are largely refinements of the com- recently explained why they study monsense techniques that people use in everyday life. But they are completely different trends: from supernatural fortune-telling practices such as crystal-ball gazing and astrology. Here are a few of the most common techniques used in futuring. For more-detailed dis- 1. To get investment ideas and cussions of these techniques, see Futuring: The Exploration of the Future (WFS, 2004). save money. A group of “angel in- • Scanning: An ongoing effort to identify significant changes in the world beyond vestors” reports finding new ideas the organization or group doing the scanning. Typically, scanning is based on a system- by studying trends and reading atic survey of current newspapers, magazines, Web sites, and other media for indications World Future Society publications: of changes likely to have future importance. Scanning focuses mainly on trends— “You have saved us money!” changes that occur through time—rather than events—changes that occur very quickly and generally are much less significant for understanding the future. 2. To get early warnings. Scan- • Trend Analysis: The examination of a trend to identify its nature, causes, speed of ning the environment for emerging development, and potential impacts. Careful analysis may be needed because a trend can opportunities and crises is like look- have many different impacts on different aspects of human life, and many of these im- ing both ways for traffic before pacts may not be apparent at first. Longer life spans, for example, increase the number crossing a busy road. It just makes of people for whom resources must be provided, but also increase the number of people good sense. who can contribute to the economy and society through paid and unpaid labor. • Trend Monitoring: Trends viewed as particularly important in a specific commu- 3. To get confidence. A solid nity, industry, or sector may be carefully monitored—watched and reported regularly to foundation of awareness about key decision makers. For example, a rapidly rising unemployment rate or the appear- trends can give you the confidence ance of a deadly new disease may have significant impacts on many different organiza- to take wise risks. tions and communities. On the other hand, fashion trends may be of keen interest to such people as clothing manufacturers or fashion-forward consumers. 4. To get an edge on the compe- • Trend Projection: When numerical data are available, a trend can be plotted on tition. Seeing what’s coming before graph paper to show changes through time. The futurist can then extend the trend line or others do can give you lead time “project” it into the future on the basis of the recent rate of change. Such a projection to establish a foothold in a new shows where the trend should be at some point in the future assuming there is no shift in market. the rate of change. Example: A population with a steady 2% rate of annual growth will double in about 35 years. 5. To get at the heart of a trend. • Scenario Development and Analysis: We all explore future possibilities through Analyzing the details within a trend our imagination. For instance, we try to imagine what would happen if we accepted a can help separate truly significant job at a certain company: What good things—and bad things—might happen to us as a result of taking the job? Scenarios are attempts to imagine future possibilities on the ba- sis of what we know (or think we know). Scenarios are useful in helping us to under- stand what might happen as a result of a decision we may make. The future development of a trend, a strategy, or a wild-card event may be described in story or outline form. Typically, a scenario seeks to show one plausible way that the future might unfold. Scenarios are particularly useful in futuring because of the general uncertainty of the future. Typically, several scenarios will be developed so that decision makers are aware that future events may invalidate whatever scenario they deem most likely and use for planning purposes. • Consulting Others (Polling): Since “two heads are better than one,” we may ask other people—often experts—for their opinions about the future. Other people can also advise us on whether we are likely to enjoy a trip to a certain city, for example. Business executives and government leaders constantly use consultation as a means of under- standing the possibilities of the future and making better decisions. Data may be col- lected through face-to-face conversation, telephone interviews, and questionnaires sent by electronic or ordinary mail. Delphi polling, popular among futurists, uses a carefully structured procedure to generate more-accurate forecasts.
- 5. The Art of Foresight 5 • Models: Events that occur in the real world can be imitated in ways that help us to developments from rapidly appear- understand them better. A model of a building can help people to understand what a ing and disappearing fads. future building may look like. A map is a two-dimensional model that enables us to tell which streets we will come to if we go in a certain direction. 6. To get goals in balance. Think- • Simulations or Gaming: A model is a static representation of something, but it has ing about the future is an antidote a dynamic twin—the simulation. Generals and admirals simulate battles when they to a “profit now, worry later” men- move their model ships and aircraft about, either on large maps or during “war games” tality that could lead to trouble in that involve real troops, materiel, and even live ammunition. In war games, real soldiers the long term. may become actors in a mock battle, which helps them to understand what actual com- bat is like and helps generals to test out alternative strategies and tactics they may later 7. To get informed on forces af- use. The game Monopoly simulates the real estate market. Games can also be played fecting your field. Health-care plan- with real people playing various roles: In the game SimCity, one person might be the ners, for instance, need to know mayor while others play the roles of urban planner, transportation manager, landlord, what’s going on in biotech and city council, and so on. medicine, values and public policy, • Computer Simulations: Complex systems such as the U.S. economy can be mod- labor supply and population aging. eled by means of mathematical equations, which can then be fed into a computer. Then data can be entered to express the situation in the economy at the present moment. After 8. To get informed on forces in that, policy makers can ask various “What if” questions, such as “What if we increase many fields. Educators, for instance, the income tax rate by 20%?” This policy change probably will have numerous results, may follow trends in the economy many of which might never have been anticipated, due to the complex interaction of the and the workforce to know how many variables. The computer might show, for instance, that a proposed increase in the best to guide their students. income tax would reduce automobile sales by 30% and cut the GNP by 10%. • Historical Analysis: Futurists may study historical events in order to anticipate the 9. To get a glimpse of emerging outcome of current developments. Often a current situation can be compared to one or futures. A trend is a glance at poten- more situations in history that seem to be similar. For example, the U.S. invasion of Iraq tial futures; we can then take actions in 2003 was compared by some commentators to the Vietnam War, with the implication to turn those trends into opportunities. that the Iraq War would also prove disastrous. Many government leaders have relied heavily on what they learned from history to guide them in making key decisions. 10. To get yourself and others • Brainstorming: The generation of new ideas by means of a small group assembled ready for the future. Many futurists to think creatively about a topic, such as a problem to be solved, an opportunity to cap- serve as consultants or counselors; ture, or a direction to take an organization. Group members are encouraged to build on they must keep abreast of trends not each other’s ideas and withhold criticism. Brainstorming is useful in identifying possi- only for their own sake but also to bilities, opportunities, and risks. Other idea-generating or problem-solving methods are help their clients. also common, such as idea mapping, impact analysis, and the systematic identification of all possible variables. Professional futurists may use brainstorming with their clients to help stretch their minds beyond the present and to promote continuous innovation and long-term strategizing. • Visioning: Since futuring is about more than predicting, many futurists engage in the systematic creation of visions of a desirable future for an organization or an individ- ual. Typically, the futurist will start with a review of past events and the current situa- tion, move on to envision desirable futures, and then identify specific ways to move toward the desired future. A visioning procedure often prepares the way for more-formal goal setting and planning. Resources for Foresight Books • Futuring: The Exploration of the Future by Edward Cornish (WFS, 2004). This comprehensive new guide to the study of the future will give you a detailed look at the techniques futurists use, what we can know about the future and what we can’t, and the role that forward-looking people can play in creating a better tomorrow.
- 6. The World Future Society: A Chronology 1966 The Society is founded in Washington, D.C., and is char- 6 The Art of Foresight tered by the District of Colum- bia government as a nonprofit • Thinking Creatively in Turbulent Times, edited by Howard F. Didsbury Jr. (WFS, scientific and educational or- 2004). This outstanding collection of essays prepared in conjunction with the World ganization. Future Society’s 2004 annual meeting offers thought-provoking insights on a range of 1967 The Society begins publishing future-shaping issues, such as: The Futurist as a newsletter. * Harnessing the powers of a coming “digital transformation”; 1968 First chapters are established in * Creating more-livable cities; Los Angeles and Minneapolis. * Dealing with the impacts of immigration; 1969 The U.S. Internal Revenue Ser- * Transforming school systems to meet the needs of the future economy; vice recognizes the World * Solving the drug-abuse problem through systems thinking; Future Society as a nonprofit charitable organization, allow- * Overcoming the traps in thinking about the future. ing donations to be deducted • Foresight, Innovation, and Strategy: Toward a Wiser Future, edited by Futurist on U.S. income tax returns. managing editor Cynthia G. Wagner (WFS, 2005). More than 30 outstanding essays 1971 First general meeting of cover a broad range of insightful forecasts, inspiring outlooks, and leading-edge futuring Society members at Washing- techniques. The volume was prepared especially for the World Future Society’s 2005 ton Hilton. annual meeting. Topics include breakthrough research in nanomedicine, strategies for 1974 U.S. Vice President Gerald feeding the world’s hungry, dynamic solutions to help organizations prepare for the Ford speaks at Society’s future, and new insights into the conflict between science and religion—and ways to re- special conference on energy issues. Society’s first book solve it. Among the 36 distinguished contributors are environmental scholar Norman (dealing with energy) is pub- Myers, noted scientist William Sims Bainbridge, and agricultural economist Lester R. lished for conference members. Brown. 1975 The U.S. National Science Foundation and Library of Reports Congress give the Society a • “Outlook”: The World Future Society’s annual roundup of thought-provoking grant for a report on the study forecasts covers trends in business, education, technology, values, world affairs, and of the future. much more. Among recent forecasts: Genetically modified crops may surpass natural 1977 The Society submits to spon- sors its two-volume report, crops in acreage planted by 2020. Two-thirds of the world’s population will be chroni- Resources Directory for Amer- cally short of water by 2050. Earthquakes will become deadlier in the future since they ica’s Third Century. will have growing numbers of heavily populated megacities to target. And polar bears 1979 Future Survey, a monthly could become extinct in the next 100 years as global warming melts their Arctic hunting newsletter of abstracts, is grounds. established. • “53 Trends Now Shaping the Future” by Marvin J. Cetron and Owen Davies 1980 Canada’s Governor-General (WFS, 2005). The world’s population will double within the next four decades. Impor- opens Society conference in tant medical advances will continue to appear almost daily. The global economy is Toronto, the first held outside the United States. growing more integrated. Future seniors will be healthier and wealthier. And water shortages will plague much of the world. These are among the 50 key trends that will 1985 A scholarly journal, Futures Research Quarterly, is estab- change our world over the next two decades, according to veteran forecaster Marvin J. lished. Cetron and science writer Owen Davies. 1988 Professional Members’ • “Future Careers: The High-Potential Jobs of Tomorrow.” What types of jobs will and Forums are held at the Fu- there be in the future, and how will we prepare ourselves for them? The Futurist maga- 1990 tures Library in Salzburg, zine asked workforce trend analysts to share their insights, speculations, and recommen- Austria. dations for succeeding in the workplace of tomorrow. This special report comprises 1992 Society’s headquarters is three articles originally published in the November-December 2005 issue of the maga- moved to modern office build- zine: ing in Bethesda, Maryland. * “Hyperjobs: The New Higher-Level Work and How to Grow Into It” by Richard W. The Society collaborates with Smithsonian Institution on a Samson; lecture series. * “Working in the Future: How Today’s Trends Are Shaping Tomorrow’s Jobs” by 1993 Society assists United Nations John A. Challenger; and Development Programme in * “Career Planning for the 21st Century” by Joyce Gioia and Roger Herman. establishing an Africa Futures project. Periodicals A directory of organizations in • The Futurist: A Magazine of Forecasts, Trends, and Ideas about the Future. This the futures field is published. fully illustrated magazine presents the ideas of scientists, government officials, ed-
- 7. 1995 Web site (www.wfs.org) is established. 1996 President Bill Clinton com- The Art of Foresight 7 mends the Society’s members “for working with vision and energy to develop creative ucators, and others concerning what may happen in the years ahead. Published continu- strategies for fulfilling the ously since 1967, The Futurist is the largest and best-known futurist publication in the Promise of the future.” world. Included with regular membership, $49 per year ($20 per year for full-time stu- Jenifer Altman Foundation dents under age 25). gives Society grant for an en- • Futures Research Quarterly publishes scholarly or technical articles dealing with vironmental bibliography. futures research. The journal is refereed by an editorial board consisting of leading 1997 Society forms an International future-oriented scholars. Included with Professional Membership in the World Future Council. Among the early Society ($135 per year). members are Sir Arthur C. Clarke (Sri Lanka) and Alvin • Future Survey: A unique monthly newsletter summarizing and commenting on 50 and Heidi Toffler. of the most significant current books, reports, and articles dealing with the future. This The first issue of Future Times, useful publication makes it easy to obtain a quick idea of what current thinking is in an occasional newspaper, is many areas of policy, from defense to family planning, from computers to the environ- published. ment. Included with Comprehensive Professional Membership in the World Future 1998 The Nathan Cummings Foun- Society ($245 per year). dation gives the Society a • Futurist Update: News and Previews from the World Future Society, a monthly grant for its special confer- e-mailed newsletter featuring concise reports on trends and ideas about the future, as ence on the Year 2000 com- puter problem. well as brief book reviews, news from the Society, and links to useful Web resources. 2000 Electronic newsletter, Futurist Free with membership (e-mail address required). Update, is launched. Forums on Social Innovation, Courses Opportunities, and Wisdom The World Future Society’s annual meetings typically include many sessions of use to are started on the Web site. participants wishing to develop their futuring skills. 2001 Society responds to September In addition, more-advanced courses before and after the conferences are offered at 11 attacks by putting on its reasonable tuitions and cover such topics as: Web site nearly 40 essays, • Systems thinking. plus relevant articles from The Futurist, and commentaries on • Technology forecasting. terrorism and the responses to • Futurizing an organization. it. The site was included in the • Thinking like a futurist. Library of Congress’s For details, visit the World Future Society’s Web site and click on “Meetings.” September 11 Web Archive. 2002 The Society has 117 chapters Web Sites in 39 nations. • World Future Society homepage: www.wfs.org 2002 Web site receives 200,000 • The Futurist Bookshelf: www.wfs.org/bkshelf.htm hits per month. • Methodology Forum: www.wfs.org/method.htm 2003 Student programs launched, including conference scholar- ships and discounted Society memberships. The World Future Society Futurist Update reaches more The World Future Society is an association of people interested in how social and techno- than 16,000 subscribers in its logical developments are shaping the future. The Society was founded in 1966 and is char- fourth year of publication. tered as a nonprofit educational and scientific organization in Washington, D.C. 2004 Future Survey celebrates The Society strives to serve as a neutral clearinghouse for ideas about the future, twenty-fifth anniversary. which include forecasts, recommendations, and alternative scenarios. These ideas help Futuring: The Exploration of the people to anticipate what may happen in the next five, 10, or more years ahead. When Future by Society President people can visualize a better future, then they can begin to create it. Edward Cornish is published. The Society elects Timothy World Future Society Mack as its second president. 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 450 2005 World Future Society launches Future Generations Bethesda, Maryland 20814, U.S.A. Fund to develop education Telephone: 301-656-8274 • Fax: 301-951-0394 • E-mail: info@wfs.org programs for youth. Web: www.wfs.org Web site redesigned to include a page of electronic products and services.
- 8. Tomorrow Is Built Today Founded in 1966, the World Future Society is a non- Comprehensive professional membership adds a subscription to profit, nonpartisan scientific and educational association the esteemed Future Survey, a monthly journal that offers abstracts of with approximately 25,000 members in some 80 countries. Membership the most significant new books, articles, and reports relevant to the is open to anyone with an interest in the trends shaping the future. future. Dues: $245 per year. Regular membership includes annual subscriptions to The Futurist Institutional membership is also available for libraries and other or- magazine, the electronic newsletter Futurist Update, and discounts ganizations wishing to make membership benefits available to several on books published by the Society and on registration fees for the individuals. Institutional members receive copies of all publications pro- Society’s annual meetings. Dues: $49 per year ($20 for full-time stu- duced by the Society during the course of their membership term, and dents under age 25). they are offered special assistance in locating sources of information or Professional members also receive a subscription to the Society’s contacts related to their organization’s needs and interests. Institutional scholarly journal Futures Research Quarterly and they are invited to members also receive special recognition each year in The Futurist attend exclusive Forums held in conjunction with the Society’s annual magazine and on the Society’s Web site. Dues: $325 per year for meetings. These daylong events allow professional futurists in business, nonprofit organizations; $500 per year for corporations. government, and academia to exchange valuable tools, resources, and insights on the study of the future. Dues: $135 per year. Please send me the following World Future Society products: Qty. Item Price Total Additional copies, The Art of Foresight $4 (Members, $3.60); 2-9 copies $3 each (Members, $2.70) Futuring (Cornish, 2004) $19.95 pb. (Members, $17.95) Thinking Creatively in Turbulent Times $29.95 pb. (Members, $24.95) (Didsbury, 2004) Foresight, Innovation, and Strategy $29.95 pb. (Members, $24.95) (Wagner, 2005) Outlook One copy, $5 (Members, $4.50); 2-9 copies, $4 each (Members, $3.60); 10-99 copies, $3 each (Members, $2.70); 100+ copies, $2 each (Members, $1.80) 53 Trends Now Shaping the Future (2005) One copy, $8 (Members, $7.20); 2-9 copies, $6 each (Members, $5.40); 10-99 copies, $4 each (Members, $3.60); 100+ copies, $3 each (Members, $2.70) Future Careers (2005) One copy, $5 (Members, $4.50); 2-9 copies, $4 each (Members, $3.60); 10-99 copies, $3 each (Members, $2.70); 100+ copies, $2 each (Members, $1.80) Regular Membership ■ $49 one year ■ $88 two years ■ $124 three years ■ $750 lifetime Student Membership ■ $20 one year (Only for full-time students under age 25) Name of school Age Grade level/year Professional Membership ■ $135 one year ■ $240 two years ■ $345 three years ■ $1,950 lifetime Comprehensive Professional Membership ■ $245 one year ■ $435 two years ■ $625 three years ■ $2,950 lifetime Institutional Membership ■ $325 Nonprofit (one year) ■ $500 Corporate (one year) ■ $550 Nonprofit (two years) ■ $950 Corporate (two years) ■ $775 Nonprofit (three years) ■ $1,350 Corporate (three years) Tax-deductible gift to the World Future Society ■ $100 Supporter ■ $500 Friend ■ Other (Use Members prices if you join now.) Subtotal Method of Payment: ** Standard shipping for domestic (U.S.) UPS Ground ** Shipping $4.50 ■ Check or money order (payable to: World Future Society) or USPS Priority Mail. Call for other options. * Please add 5% sales tax for orders to be delivered in * Sales Tax ■ Credit card: ■ MasterCard ■ VISA ■ Discover ■ American Express the state of Maryland. Total Account Number Expiration Date Signature Send to: World Future Society Name 7910 Woodmont Avenue Institution Suite 450 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 Address Tel. 1-800-989-8274 or 301-656-8274 City/State (Province) Fax 301-951-0394 Country/ZIP (Postal Code) E-mail info@wfs.org Web site www.wfs.org Daytime Telephone E-mail 8R28