The inevitably surprising future

Widely divergent views of the future exist at the current time. Almost all people, and the groups to which they belong, are so sure of their ideas that they are willing to do anything necessary to achieve their goals. Suggests that, given that humanity is now in charge of the future of the planet, it is essential that we reintroduce a commitment to civil dialogue and attempt to find common ground between apparently incompatible purposes. It is only in this way that we can benefit from today's "insurmountable opportunities". Discusses four possible scenarios of the future: a continuation of maximum growth and maximum employment strategy; a concentration on technological innovation; a return to the past; transformations in attitudes to success and reward systems.