In late November/early December we saw a good variety of activity involving futurists. An article by James Wallman suggested the gender pay gap will close by 2045 — which is almost 100 years earlier than the World Economic Forum estimation of 2133.
Pablos Holman’s article on “The Big Threat” suggested that it’s not the catastrophic all-at-once attack that we should worry about, but the potential of a hacker getting in your system and quietly gathering data to use and gather information that can harm us when they are ready.
On the political side of things, Ian Morrison sees swift changes to “Obamacare”, but suggest any big changes will take some time and may be in the process until 2019. He also believes futurists may have there work cut out for them in facing perhaps the most unpredictable president we have seen to date. A related article piece by Johann Galtung was more direct, suggests a decline in US power under the Trump administration.
3D printing continues to pick up traction. Ray Kruzweil sees 3d printer in every home and 3d printing to find its place in fashion as well. One will buy “print designs” for pennies on the dollar and print it instantly in your home.
Shifting gears, we have an interesting and useful piece on careers — Reinvention is an essential career skill — from Houston Foresight alum Jim Lee. He talks about how he used his foresight degree to evolve his approach to investing in his investment advisory firm StratFi.
These and other interesting articles wind down the year of 2016 for Futurists in the Media. — Waylon Edens
