hello well it’s great to be here so I am CEO of a science-fiction prototyping
CEO of a science-fiction prototyping
CEO of a science-fiction prototyping company so how do you how do you start a
company so how do you how do you start a
company so how do you how do you start a science-fiction prototyping company well
science-fiction prototyping company well
science-fiction prototyping company well as with all great things that happen
as with all great things that happen
as with all great things that happen with a midlife crisis
with a midlife crisis
with a midlife crisis my daughter went off to college I was
my daughter went off to college I was
my daughter went off to college I was kind of bored successful bit bored of
kind of bored successful bit bored of
kind of bored successful bit bored of what I was doing and I decided I needed
what I was doing and I decided I needed
what I was doing and I decided I needed to do something different the problem
to do something different the problem
to do something different the problem was I had no idea what to do absolutely
was I had no idea what to do absolutely
was I had no idea what to do absolutely no idea but what I knew I loved was
no idea but what I knew I loved was
no idea but what I knew I loved was writing science fiction so I went out
writing science fiction so I went out
writing science fiction so I went out and I did a science fiction writing
and I did a science fiction writing
and I did a science fiction writing class at UCLA and one day during class I
class at UCLA and one day during class I
class at UCLA and one day during class I had this epiphany that science fiction
had this epiphany that science fiction
had this epiphany that science fiction could be this really powerful tool to
could be this really powerful tool to
could be this really powerful tool to help the world to tell better stories
help the world to tell better stories
help the world to tell better stories and for innovation and that’s because we
and for innovation and that’s because we
and for innovation and that’s because we live in a time of amazing change where
live in a time of amazing change where
live in a time of amazing change where things are changing exponentially we
things are changing exponentially we
things are changing exponentially we just saw it in the speaker before us and
just saw it in the speaker before us and
just saw it in the speaker before us and for companies that don’t realize this we
for companies that don’t realize this we
for companies that don’t realize this we say they’re on the linear path to do and
say they’re on the linear path to do and
say they’re on the linear path to do and you have companies like Kodak and
you have companies like Kodak and
you have companies like Kodak and blockbuster they go out of business but
blockbuster they go out of business but
blockbuster they go out of business but you have great companies like uber and
you have great companies like uber and
you have great companies like uber and Nest and square that are leveraging the
Nest and square that are leveraging the
Nest and square that are leveraging the exponential ‘ti that we live in but
exponential ‘ti that we live in but
exponential ‘ti that we live in but exponential ‘ti is really tricky how do
exponential ‘ti is really tricky how do
exponential ‘ti is really tricky how do you deal with exponential ‘ti and that’s
you deal with exponential ‘ti and that’s
you deal with exponential ‘ti and that’s something that I became obsessed with as
something that I became obsessed with as
something that I became obsessed with as I started working at SCI futures a lot
I started working at SCI futures a lot
I started working at SCI futures a lot of what we do today a lot of this change
of what we do today a lot of this change
of what we do today a lot of this change today
today
today is driven by disruptive emerging
is driven by disruptive emerging
is driven by disruptive emerging technologies it’s driven by things like
technologies it’s driven by things like
technologies it’s driven by things like 3d printing it’s driven by things like
3d printing it’s driven by things like
3d printing it’s driven by things like the Internet of Things and VR and AR
the Internet of Things and VR and AR
the Internet of Things and VR and AR these are really interesting
these are really interesting
these are really interesting technologies and massively changing the
technologies and massively changing the
technologies and massively changing the way that our world is changing and
way that our world is changing and
way that our world is changing and responding so the question is how do we
responding so the question is how do we
responding so the question is how do we leverage these emerging technologies in
leverage these emerging technologies in
leverage these emerging technologies in a positive way in a way to leverage the
a positive way in a way to leverage the
a positive way in a way to leverage the exponential ‘ti and in the way to make
exponential ‘ti and in the way to make
exponential ‘ti and in the way to make meaningful change in the world so it’s
meaningful change in the world so it’s
meaningful change in the world so it’s like futures the company that I work
like futures the company that I work
like futures the company that I work with we work with a hundred science
with we work with a hundred science
with we work with a hundred science fiction writers these are all published
fiction writers these are all published
fiction writers these are all published scifi writers and they’re amazing and we
scifi writers and they’re amazing and we
scifi writers and they’re amazing and we use them on behalf of our clients and
use them on behalf of our clients and
use them on behalf of our clients and the clients that we work with typically
the clients that we work with typically
the clients that we work with typically are big companies we work with like
are big companies we work with like
are big companies we work with like Hershey’s and Visa but also with
Hershey’s and Visa but also with
Hershey’s and Visa but also with government organizations like NATO and
government organizations like NATO and
government organizations like NATO and we harness their creativity and their
we harness their creativity and their
we harness their creativity and their imagination to figure out and tell
imagination to figure out and tell
imagination to figure out and tell stories about where the world’s going we
stories about where the world’s going we
stories about where the world’s going we also work with lots of executives we get
also work with lots of executives we get
also work with lots of executives we get them to write science fiction stories so
them to write science fiction stories so
them to write science fiction stories so you can imagine sitting down in a room
you can imagine sitting down in a room
you can imagine sitting down in a room with executives and CEOs and senior
with executives and CEOs and senior
with executives and CEOs and senior people big companies and getting them to
people big companies and getting them to
people big companies and getting them to write science fiction stories about the
write science fiction stories about the
write science fiction stories about the world and where it’s going and it’s
world and where it’s going and it’s
world and where it’s going and it’s really cool because you can kind of get
really cool because you can kind of get
really cool because you can kind of get inside their heads and understand where
inside their heads and understand where
inside their heads and understand where they see the future going and so that’s
they see the future going and so that’s
they see the future going and so that’s what we’ve been doing over the past five
what we’ve been doing over the past five
what we’ve been doing over the past five years and what I’m going to show you
years and what I’m going to show you
years and what I’m going to show you over the next few slides is inside the
over the next few slides is inside the
over the next few slides is inside the mind of these executives and show you
mind of these executives and show you
mind of these executives and show you the way that they see the future as
the way that they see the future as
the way that they see the future as expressed in these stories so we’ve got
expressed in these stories so we’ve got
expressed in these stories so we’ve got a really unique look at the future
a really unique look at the future
a really unique look at the future there’s lots of different trajectories
there’s lots of different trajectories
there’s lots of different trajectories that there you can see in this there’s
that there you can see in this there’s
that there you can see in this there’s this child is a lot on it but the reason
this child is a lot on it but the reason
this child is a lot on it but the reason why is there is a lot going on you can
why is there is a lot going on you can
why is there is a lot going on you can look at all those different exponential
look at all those different exponential
look at all those different exponential technologies that are happening some are
technologies that are happening some are
technologies that are happening some are working together some are working
working together some are working
working together some are working independently and what we’re trying to
independently and what we’re trying to
independently and what we’re trying to do is figure out if we put all these
do is figure out if we put all these
do is figure out if we put all these emerging technologies together in a
emerging technologies together in a
emerging technologies together in a story where do we get so let’s take a
story where do we get so let’s take a
story where do we get so let’s take a look at one of the big trends which is
look at one of the big trends which is
look at one of the big trends which is smart homes if you ever been to see if I
smart homes if you ever been to see if I
smart homes if you ever been to see if I can tell you it’s amazing and this is
can tell you it’s amazing and this is
can tell you it’s amazing and this is one area that’s growing immensely so
one area that’s growing immensely so
one area that’s growing immensely so smart homes is something that figures
smart homes is something that figures
smart homes is something that figures very prominently in the stories that
very prominently in the stories that
very prominently in the stories that executives write and it’s basically this
executives write and it’s basically this
executives write and it’s basically this idea that in the very near future you’re
idea that in the very near future you’re
idea that in the very near future you’re going to your home and your home will
going to your home and your home will
going to your home and your home will recognize you they’ll go oh he’s in the
recognize you they’ll go oh he’s in the
recognize you they’ll go oh he’s in the house hurried likes the house at this
house hurried likes the house at this
house hurried likes the house at this temperature
temperature
temperature he likes to watch this show on TV and I
he likes to watch this show on TV and I
he likes to watch this show on TV and I also know that Ari has a big day
also know that Ari has a big day
also know that Ari has a big day tomorrow
tomorrow
tomorrow so I probably want to remind Ari to go
so I probably want to remind Ari to go
so I probably want to remind Ari to go to sleep at a certain amount of time so
to sleep at a certain amount of time so
to sleep at a certain amount of time so I know this sounds a lot like Big
I know this sounds a lot like Big
I know this sounds a lot like Big Brother and it sounds a little weird
Brother and it sounds a little weird
Brother and it sounds a little weird but this is already starting to happen
but this is already starting to happen
but this is already starting to happen with things like Alexa so I have Alexa
with things like Alexa so I have Alexa
with things like Alexa so I have Alexa in my home and I talk to it all the time
in my home and I talk to it all the time
in my home and I talk to it all the time to control my lights and if you went to
to control my lights and if you went to
to control my lights and if you went to CES this year Alexa was everywhere you
CES this year Alexa was everywhere you
CES this year Alexa was everywhere you can use a lexan out to talk to your
can use a lexan out to talk to your
can use a lexan out to talk to your washing machine and it can tell you when
washing machine and it can tell you when
washing machine and it can tell you when a loads ready or when it isn’t you can
a loads ready or when it isn’t you can
a loads ready or when it isn’t you can use Alexa to do what lots and lots of
use Alexa to do what lots and lots of
use Alexa to do what lots and lots of things and so these exponential
things and so these exponential
things and so these exponential technologies are really interesting that
technologies are really interesting that
technologies are really interesting that Smart Homes are coming
Smart Homes are coming
Smart Homes are coming it’s really interesting the next thing
it’s really interesting the next thing
it’s really interesting the next thing that we see is personal assistants so
that we see is personal assistants so
that we see is personal assistants so who’s seen the movie her okay so that’s
who’s seen the movie her okay so that’s
who’s seen the movie her okay so that’s a really interesting sci-fi articulation
a really interesting sci-fi articulation
a really interesting sci-fi articulation of when an iOS system or an OS system
of when an iOS system or an OS system
of when an iOS system or an OS system becomes so familiar with you and so
becomes so familiar with you and so
becomes so familiar with you and so intimate with you that you basically
intimate with you that you basically
intimate with you that you basically fall in love with it right now is that
fall in love with it right now is that
fall in love with it right now is that going to happen
going to happen
going to happen no not immediately but if you think
no not immediately but if you think
no not immediately but if you think about it the systems that we work with
about it the systems that we work with
about it the systems that we work with today Siri are already getting to the
today Siri are already getting to the
today Siri are already getting to the point where they’re starting to know us
point where they’re starting to know us
point where they’re starting to know us a bit they’re starting to anticipate
a bit they’re starting to anticipate
a bit they’re starting to anticipate where we’re going and Apple has removed
where we’re going and Apple has removed
where we’re going and Apple has removed the air phone jack from from its phone
the air phone jack from from its phone
the air phone jack from from its phone for the very reason that I wants you to
for the very reason that I wants you to
for the very reason that I wants you to talk to Siri more continuously at once
talk to Siri more continuously at once
talk to Siri more continuously at once or more of a direct route so voice
or more of a direct route so voice
or more of a direct route so voice communication is something that we see a
communication is something that we see a
communication is something that we see a lot of a lot of new UI in the face of
lot of a lot of new UI in the face of
lot of a lot of new UI in the face of talking to machines talking to your
talking to machines talking to your
talking to machines talking to your house and certainly this idea of
house and certainly this idea of
house and certainly this idea of personal assistants that are incredibly
personal assistants that are incredibly
personal assistants that are incredibly smart that know us and actually start to
smart that know us and actually start to
smart that know us and actually start to curate our lives for us very interesting
curate our lives for us very interesting
curate our lives for us very interesting that we’re seeing this automation and
that we’re seeing this automation and
that we’re seeing this automation and robotics that’s a big deal as well okay
robotics that’s a big deal as well okay
robotics that’s a big deal as well okay sorry a little bit off yeah yeah drones
sorry a little bit off yeah yeah drones
sorry a little bit off yeah yeah drones drones are a big feature that we see in
drones are a big feature that we see in
drones are a big feature that we see in our stories as well autonomous community
our stories as well autonomous community
our stories as well autonomous community so cars that drive themselves you know
so cars that drive themselves you know
so cars that drive themselves you know in the future in the minds of executives
in the future in the minds of executives
in the future in the minds of executives we’re seeing stories about people
we’re seeing stories about people
we’re seeing stories about people sitting in the car and basically reading
sitting in the car and basically reading
sitting in the car and basically reading a book or basically going into a VR
a book or basically going into a VR
a book or basically going into a VR experience these are some interesting
experience these are some interesting
experience these are some interesting things new immersive realities as well
things new immersive realities as well
things new immersive realities as well is something that we see a lot of so
is something that we see a lot of so
is something that we see a lot of so what I’m going to show you now is a
what I’m going to show you now is a
what I’m going to show you now is a grocery store oops okay there we go
grocery store oops okay there we go
grocery store oops okay there we go grocery store before augmented reality
grocery store before augmented reality
grocery store before augmented reality so imagine in the very near future where
so imagine in the very near future where
so imagine in the very near future where you go shopping and the whole grocery
you go shopping and the whole grocery
you go shopping and the whole grocery store environment changes to adjust to
store environment changes to adjust to
store environment changes to adjust to your preferences so if you look at this
your preferences so if you look at this
your preferences so if you look at this slide you can see that in the future the
slide you can see that in the future the
slide you can see that in the future the store will respond to how you wanna shop
store will respond to how you wanna shop
store will respond to how you wanna shop so we saw some fair trade present
so we saw some fair trade present
so we saw some fair trade present earlier today imagine if the store could
earlier today imagine if the store could
earlier today imagine if the store could show you every single product that was
show you every single product that was
show you every single product that was fair trade or imagine if the store could
fair trade or imagine if the store could
fair trade or imagine if the store could actually show you game of Phi your
actually show you game of Phi your
actually show you game of Phi your shopping experience there’s a cool video
shopping experience there’s a cool video
shopping experience there’s a cool video where you can actually see this happen
where you can actually see this happen
where you can actually see this happen so many reality is something that we see
so many reality is something that we see
so many reality is something that we see a lot in our stories another big trend
a lot in our stories another big trend
a lot in our stories another big trend that we’re seeing is around VR has
that we’re seeing is around VR has
that we’re seeing is around VR has anyone being in an HTC vive yet in the
anyone being in an HTC vive yet in the
anyone being in an HTC vive yet in the new 5 I recommend you do it I didn’t see
new 5 I recommend you do it I didn’t see
new 5 I recommend you do it I didn’t see any hands but it’s so amazing you get
any hands but it’s so amazing you get
any hands but it’s so amazing you get this real sense of presence and in this
this real sense of presence and in this
this real sense of presence and in this particular screenshot he has a woman in
particular screenshot he has a woman in
particular screenshot he has a woman in VR and then she suddenly runs into the
VR and then she suddenly runs into the
VR and then she suddenly runs into the corner of the room knocks over the
corner of the room knocks over the
corner of the room knocks over the poplin and falls down on the ground and
poplin and falls down on the ground and
poplin and falls down on the ground and if you’ve googled VR accidents you can
if you’ve googled VR accidents you can
if you’ve googled VR accidents you can spend all day looking at people
spend all day looking at people
spend all day looking at people basically getting into trouble in VR and
basically getting into trouble in VR and
basically getting into trouble in VR and it sounds funny but it’s it’s actually
it sounds funny but it’s it’s actually
it sounds funny but it’s it’s actually the power of how immersive VR is so
the power of how immersive VR is so
the power of how immersive VR is so again we’ve got all these amazing
again we’ve got all these amazing
again we’ve got all these amazing emerging technologies that are coming
emerging technologies that are coming
emerging technologies that are coming into our life another one is the center
into our life another one is the center
into our life another one is the center mediation so I talked a lot about
mediation so I talked a lot about
mediation so I talked a lot about branders algorithm so what happens when
branders algorithm so what happens when
branders algorithm so what happens when you’re interfacing with Alexa or you’re
you’re interfacing with Alexa or you’re
you’re interfacing with Alexa or you’re interfacing with Siri and series now
interfacing with Siri and series now
interfacing with Siri and series now making all the buying decisions for you
making all the buying decisions for you
making all the buying decisions for you or Alexis making all the buying
or Alexis making all the buying
or Alexis making all the buying decisions for you so when I buy dog food
decisions for you so when I buy dog food
decisions for you so when I buy dog food I used to go to pets mine and it used to
I used to go to pets mine and it used to
I used to go to pets mine and it used to be a pain is to run out of doc dog food
be a pain is to run out of doc dog food
be a pain is to run out of doc dog food and then I have to go to Pet Smart and
and then I have to go to Pet Smart and
and then I have to go to Pet Smart and get all the dog food put in the car and
get all the dog food put in the car and
get all the dog food put in the car and basically feed the dog now I just stayed
basically feed the dog now I just stayed
basically feed the dog now I just stayed in my house Alexa ordered dog food and
in my house Alexa ordered dog food and
in my house Alexa ordered dog food and she’ll order me dog food and that’s it I
she’ll order me dog food and that’s it I
she’ll order me dog food and that’s it I don’t have to worry about it and
don’t have to worry about it and
don’t have to worry about it and Amazon’s goal is to make shopping
Amazon’s goal is to make shopping
Amazon’s goal is to make shopping disappear and they’re working on these
disappear and they’re working on these
disappear and they’re working on these technologies for it to happen so what’s
technologies for it to happen so what’s
technologies for it to happen so what’s happening is if you’re a brand is that
happening is if you’re a brand is that
happening is if you’re a brand is that you’re being the cement a
you’re being the cement a
you’re being the cement a disintermediated if you’re not in these
disintermediated if you’re not in these
disintermediated if you’re not in these ecosystems which means that if you’re a
ecosystems which means that if you’re a
ecosystems which means that if you’re a you know consumer packaged goods brand
you know consumer packaged goods brand
you know consumer packaged goods brand and you’re relying on people to get into
and you’re relying on people to get into
and you’re relying on people to get into your store it’s very important for you
your store it’s very important for you
your store it’s very important for you to think of your brand as an algorithm
to think of your brand as an algorithm
to think of your brand as an algorithm so that you can fit into these
so that you can fit into these
so that you can fit into these ecosystems so again these are all the
ecosystems so again these are all the
ecosystems so again these are all the themes that come up when we work with
themes that come up when we work with
themes that come up when we work with these executives and these are the
these executives and these are the
these executives and these are the stories that we see deleting
stories that we see deleting
stories that we see deleting disabilities is another one
disabilities is another one
disabilities is another one you know technology is amazing this is a
you know technology is amazing this is a
you know technology is amazing this is a woman who’s feeding herself for the very
woman who’s feeding herself for the very
woman who’s feeding herself for the very first time I’m using her mind only she’s
first time I’m using her mind only she’s
first time I’m using her mind only she’s basically giving herself a drink and
basically giving herself a drink and
basically giving herself a drink and this tremendous breakthroughs that are
this tremendous breakthroughs that are
this tremendous breakthroughs that are happening to help the disabled with
happening to help the disabled with
happening to help the disabled with these emerging technologies so we live
these emerging technologies so we live
these emerging technologies so we live in this time of amazing change we live
in this time of amazing change we live
in this time of amazing change we live in this time of incredibly disruptive
in this time of incredibly disruptive
in this time of incredibly disruptive emerging technologies that are really
emerging technologies that are really
emerging technologies that are really changing the way that we live and the
changing the way that we live and the
changing the way that we live and the question is how do we deal with that how
question is how do we deal with that how
question is how do we deal with that how do we harness this information and use
do we harness this information and use
do we harness this information and use it in a positive way and use it in a
it in a positive way and use it in a
it in a positive way and use it in a meaningful way
meaningful way
meaningful way and that’s what I’m kind of obsessed
and that’s what I’m kind of obsessed
and that’s what I’m kind of obsessed about so after C clock famous science
about so after C clock famous science
about so after C clock famous science fiction writer you know he famously said
fiction writer you know he famously said
fiction writer you know he famously said that if you want to predict the future
that if you want to predict the future
that if you want to predict the future you have to be so bold and so outrageous
you have to be so bold and so outrageous
you have to be so bold and so outrageous that people would just laugh at you and
that people would just laugh at you and
that people would just laugh at you and they’ll mock you and it’s only then will
they’ll mock you and it’s only then will
they’ll mock you and it’s only then will you have any good chance of really
you have any good chance of really
you have any good chance of really understand the future as it really is
understand the future as it really is
understand the future as it really is and if you think about it that’s the
and if you think about it that’s the
and if you think about it that’s the world that we live in you know we’ve
world that we live in you know we’ve
world that we live in you know we’ve come so far so quickly and this rate of
come so far so quickly and this rate of
come so far so quickly and this rate of change is increasing and the pace of
change is increasing and the pace of
change is increasing and the pace of change is increasing and so we need to
change is increasing and so we need to
change is increasing and so we need to start to be deliberate and thoughtful
start to be deliberate and thoughtful
start to be deliberate and thoughtful about how we leverage all these amazing
about how we leverage all these amazing
about how we leverage all these amazing emerging technologies in a positive way
emerging technologies in a positive way
emerging technologies in a positive way in an amazing meaningful way to drive
in an amazing meaningful way to drive
in an amazing meaningful way to drive change and that’s where science fiction
change and that’s where science fiction
change and that’s where science fiction comes in and I’ll explain a bit more in
comes in and I’ll explain a bit more in
comes in and I’ll explain a bit more in a bit but Dan Ariely famous behavioral
a bit but Dan Ariely famous behavioral
a bit but Dan Ariely famous behavioral economist he says that humans grossly
economist he says that humans grossly
economist he says that humans grossly overestimated under overestimating the
overestimated under overestimating the
overestimated under overestimating the short term and completely under
short term and completely under
short term and completely under estimating the long term we’re not good
estimating the long term we’re not good
estimating the long term we’re not good at exponential ality so if I say to you
at exponential ality so if I say to you
at exponential ality so if I say to you 30 steps on a linear path is 30 steps it
30 steps on a linear path is 30 steps it
30 steps on a linear path is 30 steps it would take me you know 30 40 feet if I
would take me you know 30 40 feet if I
would take me you know 30 40 feet if I say 30 steps on an exponential path
say 30 steps on an exponential path
say 30 steps on an exponential path it’ll take me around the world 26 times
it’ll take me around the world 26 times
it’ll take me around the world 26 times so intuitively that’s very hard for us
so intuitively that’s very hard for us
so intuitively that’s very hard for us to grasp but that’s what happening we’re
to grasp but that’s what happening we’re
to grasp but that’s what happening we’re living in this exponential time so we
living in this exponential time so we
living in this exponential time so we have to be so bold and so outrageous and
have to be so bold and so outrageous and
have to be so bold and so outrageous and we’ve seen evidence of this in the past
we’ve seen evidence of this in the past
we’ve seen evidence of this in the past so this is an article from a newspaper
so this is an article from a newspaper
so this is an article from a newspaper when the internet was just coming online
when the internet was just coming online
when the internet was just coming online this is 1991 in May and they like
this is 1991 in May and they like
this is 1991 in May and they like worldwide what no way this is never
worldwide what no way this is never
worldwide what no way this is never going to happen
going to happen
going to happen yeah boy were they wrong right you know
yeah boy were they wrong right you know
yeah boy were they wrong right you know I think there’s some very famous
I think there’s some very famous
I think there’s some very famous clangers quotes out there with people
clangers quotes out there with people
clangers quotes out there with people just saying you know the typewriter you
just saying you know the typewriter you
just saying you know the typewriter you know the computer would never take off
know the computer would never take off
know the computer would never take off or you know the keyboard would never
or you know the keyboard would never
or you know the keyboard would never take off and we’re living in Zacky in
take off and we’re living in Zacky in
take off and we’re living in Zacky in that moment right now in fact it’s even
that moment right now in fact it’s even
that moment right now in fact it’s even more profound than it was back then and
more profound than it was back then and
more profound than it was back then and this is because when human beings when
this is because when human beings when
this is because when human beings when we look at technologies early on they’re
we look at technologies early on they’re
we look at technologies early on they’re deceptively disappointing we go it’s
deceptively disappointing we go it’s
deceptively disappointing we go it’s never gonna work it’s kind of gimmicky
never gonna work it’s kind of gimmicky
never gonna work it’s kind of gimmicky I’m going to ignore it for a couple of
I’m going to ignore it for a couple of
I’m going to ignore it for a couple of years and that’s really dangerous
years and that’s really dangerous
years and that’s really dangerous because it’s on that exponential curve
because it’s on that exponential curve
because it’s on that exponential curve and will sneak up and will bite you in
and will sneak up and will bite you in
and will sneak up and will bite you in the bottom but if you can get involved
the bottom but if you can get involved
the bottom but if you can get involved early and if you can’t figure out how to
early and if you can’t figure out how to
early and if you can’t figure out how to leverage these technologies
leverage these technologies
leverage these technologies exponentially you can get a massive
exponentially you can get a massive
exponentially you can get a massive competitive advantage so the way to do
competitive advantage so the way to do
competitive advantage so the way to do that is through storytelling and that’s
that is through storytelling and that’s
that is through storytelling and that’s what we do at SCI futures and with our
what we do at SCI futures and with our
what we do at SCI futures and with our clients is we help them tell stories
clients is we help them tell stories
clients is we help them tell stories about the future so that they can get
about the future so that they can get
about the future so that they can get much bolder much more profound visions
much bolder much more profound visions
much bolder much more profound visions and really understand them as well so
and really understand them as well so
and really understand them as well so there’s a great book by Daniel Gottshall
there’s a great book by Daniel Gottshall
there’s a great book by Daniel Gottshall called the storytelling animal and he
called the storytelling animal and he
called the storytelling animal and he talks about the fact that the more
talks about the fact that the more
talks about the fact that the more deeply we are under storey spell the
deeply we are under storey spell the
deeply we are under storey spell the more likely will I do act and have our
more likely will I do act and have our
more likely will I do act and have our beliefs about the world’s changed and he
beliefs about the world’s changed and he
beliefs about the world’s changed and he says that fiction is more potent than
says that fiction is more potent than
says that fiction is more potent than nonfiction at changing our minds and so
nonfiction at changing our minds and so
nonfiction at changing our minds and so there was a great study done by The Ohio
there was a great study done by The Ohio
there was a great study done by The Ohio State University where they told people
State University where they told people
State University where they told people information about the world and they had
information about the world and they had
information about the world and they had it there was an experimental design and
it there was an experimental design and
it there was an experimental design and they taught people that information just
they taught people that information just
they taught people that information just as data just as facts and then they told
as data just as facts and then they told
as data just as facts and then they told them as a narrative and then they
them as a narrative and then they
them as a narrative and then they measured people’s beliefs about
measured people’s beliefs about
measured people’s beliefs about themselves in the world and what they
themselves in the world and what they
themselves in the world and what they found was that when they told him a
found was that when they told him a
found was that when they told him a story they were much more likely
story they were much more likely
story they were much more likely significantly a lot more likely to have
significantly a lot more likely to have
significantly a lot more likely to have their beliefs changed and even when they
their beliefs changed and even when they
their beliefs changed and even when they told him a story wasn’t true even when
told him a story wasn’t true even when
told him a story wasn’t true even when they said this isn’t this is not a true
they said this isn’t this is not a true
they said this isn’t this is not a true story but has a story anyway they still
story but has a story anyway they still
story but has a story anyway they still had their beliefs change about the world
had their beliefs change about the world
had their beliefs change about the world and I like to say stories are data with
and I like to say stories are data with
and I like to say stories are data with soul stories are one of the oldest
soul stories are one of the oldest
soul stories are one of the oldest technologies that we have as a species
technologies that we have as a species
technologies that we have as a species it’s how we communicate it’s how we make
it’s how we communicate it’s how we make
it’s how we communicate it’s how we make sense of the world it’s how we connect
sense of the world it’s how we connect
sense of the world it’s how we connect with other people
with other people
with other people so what are science fiction stories
so what are science fiction stories
so what are science fiction stories science fiction story
science fiction story
science fiction story are essentially stories about the future
are essentially stories about the future
are essentially stories about the future that help us understand and give us
that help us understand and give us
that help us understand and give us ideas and inspire us about where we’re
ideas and inspire us about where we’re
ideas and inspire us about where we’re going and so if you think about Star
going and so if you think about Star
going and so if you think about Star Trek there was lots of interesting
Trek there was lots of interesting
Trek there was lots of interesting speculation there about technology but
speculation there about technology but
speculation there about technology but also on the social side and then you’ve
also on the social side and then you’ve
also on the social side and then you’ve got movies like the Minority Report
got movies like the Minority Report
got movies like the Minority Report you know same thing big data mining
you know same thing big data mining
you know same thing big data mining predictive policing which by the way is
predictive policing which by the way is
predictive policing which by the way is kind of happening right now
kind of happening right now
kind of happening right now things like manipulation with data with
things like manipulation with data with
things like manipulation with data with augmented reality and virtual reality
augmented reality and virtual reality
augmented reality and virtual reality and all that stuff come and gone already
and all that stuff come and gone already
and all that stuff come and gone already so we need good stories we need positive
so we need good stories we need positive
so we need good stories we need positive stories we need inspiring stories so
stories we need inspiring stories so
stories we need inspiring stories so Arizona State University have a program
Arizona State University have a program
Arizona State University have a program called the hieroglyph project and what
called the hieroglyph project and what
called the hieroglyph project and what they do is they basically commissioned a
they do is they basically commissioned a
they do is they basically commissioned a whole bunch of science fiction writers
whole bunch of science fiction writers
whole bunch of science fiction writers to tell positive stories about the
to tell positive stories about the
to tell positive stories about the future because they were sick and tired
future because they were sick and tired
future because they were sick and tired of all the negative dystopian sci-fi no
of all the negative dystopian sci-fi no
of all the negative dystopian sci-fi no negative dystopian sci-fi is fun it’s
negative dystopian sci-fi is fun it’s
negative dystopian sci-fi is fun it’s fun to watch but it also can come can
fun to watch but it also can come can
fun to watch but it also can come can become a self-fulfilling prophecy if
become a self-fulfilling prophecy if
become a self-fulfilling prophecy if we’re not too careful it’s a good way of
we’re not too careful it’s a good way of
we’re not too careful it’s a good way of warning us about the future and saying
warning us about the future and saying
warning us about the future and saying okay these are the consequences of
okay these are the consequences of
okay these are the consequences of inaction or the wrong action but we need
inaction or the wrong action but we need
inaction or the wrong action but we need bold provocative inspiring stories of
bold provocative inspiring stories of
bold provocative inspiring stories of the future to motivate people to want to
the future to motivate people to want to
the future to motivate people to want to change their behavior to give us new
change their behavior to give us new
change their behavior to give us new narratives of the future with purpose
narratives of the future with purpose
narratives of the future with purpose and inspiration and to drive us to
and inspiration and to drive us to
and inspiration and to drive us to change to meaningful change
change to meaningful change
change to meaningful change and that’s the way that we’re working
and that’s the way that we’re working
and that’s the way that we’re working with our clients is giving them these
with our clients is giving them these
with our clients is giving them these sorts of stories and the reason why
sorts of stories and the reason why
sorts of stories and the reason why works that way is that narratives are a
works that way is that narratives are a
works that way is that narratives are a very good way of connecting technology
very good way of connecting technology
very good way of connecting technology and connecting people in a human way in
and connecting people in a human way in
and connecting people in a human way in a way that we can relate to so if you
a way that we can relate to so if you
a way that we can relate to so if you work in Silicon Valley or if you work
work in Silicon Valley or if you work
work in Silicon Valley or if you work with emerging technologies you’ll know
with emerging technologies you’ll know
with emerging technologies you’ll know that these people are in love with their
that these people are in love with their
that these people are in love with their technologies which is fine they’re very
technologies which is fine they’re very
technologies which is fine they’re very cool and if they tell you about them
cool and if they tell you about them
cool and if they tell you about them they’ll kind of bore you to tears we
they’ll kind of bore you to tears we
they’ll kind of bore you to tears we like to say to and printed ambien you
like to say to and printed ambien you
like to say to and printed ambien you know in any engineer or any kind of
know in any engineer or any kind of
know in any engineer or any kind of technologist who’s working with
technologist who’s working with
technologist who’s working with technology will tell you all about the
technology will tell you all about the
technology will tell you all about the cool technical things and for them it is
cool technical things and for them it is
cool technical things and for them it is exciting and emotionally engaging but
exciting and emotionally engaging but
exciting and emotionally engaging but for most people it’s kind of boring but
for most people it’s kind of boring but
for most people it’s kind of boring but if you put that into a story it becomes
if you put that into a story it becomes
if you put that into a story it becomes very exciting if you can show how
very exciting if you can show how
very exciting if you can show how people’s lives change because of those
people’s lives change because of those
people’s lives change because of those technologies it becomes very
technologies it becomes very
technologies it becomes very pelling and that’s because storytelling
pelling and that’s because storytelling
pelling and that’s because storytelling ensures clarity and ensures connection
ensures clarity and ensures connection
ensures clarity and ensures connection ensures that we can be creative and
ensures that we can be creative and
ensures that we can be creative and speculate about the future I like to say
speculate about the future I like to say
speculate about the future I like to say what we do with our clients is we
what we do with our clients is we
what we do with our clients is we rehearse the future so that we can
rehearse the future so that we can
rehearse the future so that we can anticipate the results of certain
anticipate the results of certain
anticipate the results of certain actions and the results of certain
actions and the results of certain
actions and the results of certain technologies on our society and our
technologies on our society and our
technologies on our society and our environment so if you think of Pokemon
environment so if you think of Pokemon
environment so if you think of Pokemon go awry we kind of knew that was going
go awry we kind of knew that was going
go awry we kind of knew that was going to happen we saw that somebody was going
to happen we saw that somebody was going
to happen we saw that somebody was going to invent an AR game it was going to be
to invent an AR game it was going to be
to invent an AR game it was going to be really compelling and there were some
really compelling and there were some
really compelling and there were some very interesting unintended consequences
very interesting unintended consequences
very interesting unintended consequences people were trespassing people were
people were trespassing people were
people were trespassing people were getting injured
getting injured
getting injured they were running into traffic they were
they were running into traffic they were
they were running into traffic they were getting mugged
getting mugged
getting mugged there were also meeting people and
there were also meeting people and
there were also meeting people and socializing and they were also
socializing and they were also
socializing and they were also exercising and that sort of stuff we
exercising and that sort of stuff we
exercising and that sort of stuff we could have anticipated if we’d gone
could have anticipated if we’d gone
could have anticipated if we’d gone through our process so by telling
through our process so by telling
through our process so by telling stories what we’re able to do is to
stories what we’re able to do is to
stories what we’re able to do is to accelerate our preferred futures to put
accelerate our preferred futures to put
accelerate our preferred futures to put ourselves there and it’s a combination
ourselves there and it’s a combination
ourselves there and it’s a combination of storytelling and story doing so this
of storytelling and story doing so this
of storytelling and story doing so this is some work that we recently completed
is some work that we recently completed
is some work that we recently completed for NATO so that was a really
for NATO so that was a really
for NATO so that was a really interesting project because most of the
interesting project because most of the
interesting project because most of the stories that we write are very inspiring
stories that we write are very inspiring
stories that we write are very inspiring and positive because our agenda is to
and positive because our agenda is to
and positive because our agenda is to help organizations tell inspiring
help organizations tell inspiring
help organizations tell inspiring emotion engaging stories about emerging
emotion engaging stories about emerging
emotion engaging stories about emerging technologies that really gets the
technologies that really gets the
technologies that really gets the organization and their people to move
organization and their people to move
organization and their people to move forward in a positive way
forward in a positive way
forward in a positive way that benefits everyone and storytelling
that benefits everyone and storytelling
that benefits everyone and storytelling is a very good way to play that out but
is a very good way to play that out but
is a very good way to play that out but for NATO it was kind of different our
for NATO it was kind of different our
for NATO it was kind of different our job here was to anticipate where the
job here was to anticipate where the
job here was to anticipate where the enemy could go and so we wrote a whole
enemy could go and so we wrote a whole
enemy could go and so we wrote a whole bunch of stories and for NATO commanders
bunch of stories and for NATO commanders
bunch of stories and for NATO commanders 28 Nations people responsible for
28 Nations people responsible for
28 Nations people responsible for defending their their countries and we
defending their their countries and we
defending their their countries and we looked at things like bio warfare and
looked at things like bio warfare and
looked at things like bio warfare and genetic engineering and actually one of
genetic engineering and actually one of
genetic engineering and actually one of the stories was very similar to our
the stories was very similar to our
the stories was very similar to our previous speaker what happens when we
previous speaker what happens when we
previous speaker what happens when we degrade the ocean and the resources in
degrade the ocean and the resources in
degrade the ocean and the resources in the ocean how does it affect us from a
the ocean how does it affect us from a
the ocean how does it affect us from a military and from a NATO point of view
military and from a NATO point of view
military and from a NATO point of view it was really interesting to play that
it was really interesting to play that
it was really interesting to play that out and we also write positive stories
out and we also write positive stories
out and we also write positive stories like I said city of the future is is an
like I said city of the future is is an
like I said city of the future is is an anthology that we put
anthology that we put
anthology that we put let’s our futures to look at the future
let’s our futures to look at the future
let’s our futures to look at the future of cities but in a really positive way
of cities but in a really positive way
of cities but in a really positive way and we used that to show our clients on
and we used that to show our clients on
and we used that to show our clients on some of the work that we can do and also
some of the work that we can do and also
some of the work that we can do and also to inspire them about where we could go
to inspire them about where we could go
to inspire them about where we could go so telling stories is an immensely
so telling stories is an immensely
so telling stories is an immensely powerful tool particularly in this time
powerful tool particularly in this time
powerful tool particularly in this time where things are changing exponentially
where things are changing exponentially
where things are changing exponentially and particularly where we’re at the
and particularly where we’re at the
and particularly where we’re at the point in our civilization where in the
point in our civilization where in the
point in our civilization where in the next five to 10 or even 15 years we’re
next five to 10 or even 15 years we’re
next five to 10 or even 15 years we’re going to transform more dramatically
going to transform more dramatically
going to transform more dramatically than we ever thought possible
than we ever thought possible
than we ever thought possible certainly more much more than where
certainly more much more than where
certainly more much more than where we’ve come from these emerging
we’ve come from these emerging
we’ve come from these emerging technologies are cool and they’re fun
technologies are cool and they’re fun
technologies are cool and they’re fun but let’s be a little bit more
but let’s be a little bit more
but let’s be a little bit more deliberate and thoughtful and
deliberate and thoughtful and
deliberate and thoughtful and imaginative about where we want to be in
imaginative about where we want to be in
imaginative about where we want to be in 10 15 20 years let’s use the narrative
10 15 20 years let’s use the narrative
10 15 20 years let’s use the narrative process and storytelling to give us the
process and storytelling to give us the
process and storytelling to give us the opportunity to rehearse the future
opportunity to rehearse the future
opportunity to rehearse the future in a meaningful and engaging way so that
in a meaningful and engaging way so that
in a meaningful and engaging way so that when we get 25 30 40 years from now we
when we get 25 30 40 years from now we
when we get 25 30 40 years from now we can say okay we kind of saw this coming
can say okay we kind of saw this coming
can say okay we kind of saw this coming and we’re ready for it rather than we
and we’re ready for it rather than we
and we’re ready for it rather than we get to a place where we’re really kind
get to a place where we’re really kind
get to a place where we’re really kind of regretting the inaction or lack of
of regretting the inaction or lack of
of regretting the inaction or lack of vision that we had so we live in a time
vision that we had so we live in a time
vision that we had so we live in a time where really if what you’re doing isn’t
where really if what you’re doing isn’t
where really if what you’re doing isn’t seen as science fiction
seen as science fiction
seen as science fiction it really isn’t transformative enough
it really isn’t transformative enough
it really isn’t transformative enough but thank you very much
”
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