New Study Group: “Discovering the Future!”
In recent times, some not so clever apes broke into the cookie jar filled with fossil fuels and have been having a party ever since. But it’s not just the fossil fuels today, it’s the entire resources of a finite-resourced planet. It has been stated that for humans, intelligence may not be a survival characteristic. Thus for the future of the planet there is no “Plan B.” Currently, most of the approaches to Plan B have been “present/past” oriented. This effort will have a “present/futures” focus, covering both bio/physical and socio/economic perspectives.
There is a general understanding that the planet and its inhabitants are facing multiple issues such as the biophysical (e.g. climate change and resource destruction woven with geo/political and economic issues). While these issues are interdisciplinary, the United Nations has parsed them into 17 areas that need addressing: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). The corporate world has come to the table with general areas: environment, social, and governance (ESG’s). The SDG’s are philosophical and pragmatic, tied together with policy and analysis. The corporate sector has not been at that table, yet is responsible on the ground for both many of the problems and investing in solutions. What is important to understand is that the SDG’s have been largely policy oriented, as have most of the conferences such as the “Paris Agreement” on climate change. The corporate sector has been noticeable by its absence. Recently, there has been movement to turn the SDG theories into actionable practices. Also, with pressure from investors and other parties, the corporations are advancing beyond “green washing” their statements. There is now a cross matrix between the SDGs and the ESGs as all start to realize that a “Plan B” is needed. The number of “Green New Deals” around the world, including that of the current US administration, is increasing. Conspicuous by their presence are the issues of “jobs” and “growth” with a complex dance between those in the “growth” camp in opposition to those who are in the “de-growth” camp. This raises many issues, such as “universal basic income” and the definitions of work and jobs. Moreover, there are issues such as 1) the increasing spread in incomes, both within and across geo/political boundaries; 2) the ability to recycle (the circular economy); 3) the future under artificial intelligence; and 4) life outside of planetary bounds.
How should the future be addressed or explored? This forum will draw from the interests of the participants to structure a series of discussions based on selected publications, art or presentations that are recommended and which are readily accessible as a discussion focus, either on the Internet or via other sources. Each topic will be bounded by a time and a number of monthly or bimonthly meetings. The number of explorations will be determined by the participants. Sessions will be moderated using “Zoom” as the general platform. There will be one monthly meeting for introducing topics and an initial discussion. Ongoing exchanges will be developed between monthly meetings. There will be one core book: Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics, and the numerous, accessible reviews of it on-line. Other volumes will be added as well as on-line materials. Searchable databases such as Shaping Tomorrow will be used as well as the use of foresight tools. Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age is a good entry into the world of science fiction. Subject matter will range from the humanities to science and technology. Is there a “Plan B” hidden in this rich matrix and can MISF point to a path?
Contact Tom Abeles (tabeles@gmail.com) for more information