This most critical ingredient to any future is the role of hope. This is particularly important for a continent marred by colonialism and conflict. The spirit of Africa needs to rediscover its abilities to believe and overcome. Without optimism, none of the industries or other ideas will bloom.

Yesterday I read an article, When Futurism Led to Fascism, in WIRED magazine, and it made me think of all the misunderstandings that exist in the futures field. I often get asked, "what exactly is futures studies? Is there really such a thing as futurism?" My kids joke that I keep a crystal ball in my jacket pocket. And then, there's the Marinetti-crowd, an orbit in itself, much like the tech-junkies with their solutionist approach, who believe even the most complex social si

A couple of years ago, my son looked at me one afternoon, with his sly smile: “You should really stop talking to other parents, they’re a bad influence on you.” He was responding to some new notion I had that he should get more sun. His complexion had taken a translucent tinge, like that blue hue of skimmed milk. An afternoon with other parents and their boastful children with tanned complexions and sports trophies … and for a second I forgot who we were. A sudden surge of pa

The future does not yet exist, its evolution is inherently uncertain and ruled by a large number of ‘conditionals’