Scott McArthur - The Consulting Futurist (Positive about the future)
2“The future will be shaped by those who dare to imagine it.”
In a rapidly changing world where technology is weaving its way deeper into the fabric of our lives, the haunting prophecies of E.M. Forster’s “The Machine Stops” and the cinematic masterpiece “Wall-E” are not merely tales; they are stark reminders. These stories paint a chilling image of societies trapped in the suffocating embrace of technological dependence, so much so that basic human faculties and connections wither away.
Brimming with caution and foresight, such narratives have left an indelible mark on my consciousness. And amidst this vast technological environment, I’ve recognised a conspicuous gap: the urgency to probe into the positive consequences of our tech-driven trajectory. Much of today’s dialogue is focused on technology’s immediate benefits and dystopian implications, often overlooking the potential aftershocks that might ripple through our social fabric.
It is this problem that birthed “The Consulting Futurist”. My journey—deep-rooted in science, human relations, and strategic foresight—has organically morphed into this new avatar. If Sherlock Holmes unravelled mysteries of the present, consider me an investigator of the future, decoding signals, discerning patterns, and guiding people and organisations toward sustainable prosperity and human flourishing.
I’ve initiated conversations around the notion of “Perennials”— people not bound by age but by a mindset. These individuals resonate with rational thinking, audacity, consilient thinking and a flair for envisaging diverse futures. Inspired by UNESCO’s concept of “future literacy”, in my keynotes, I’ve championed a mindset for this demographic (the L.E.A.R.N.E.R. framework), emphasising their ability to perceive and act upon the myriad possibilities the future holds as well as designing executive workshops to implement transformation.
But how do we package and disseminate these insights? Instead of a conventional business book lost amidst a sea of titles, I’ve chosen another of my passions to explore the disruptive technologies of the future - science fiction. The allure of sci-fi lies in its entertaining escapism and its potential to provoke thought, challenge norms, and inspire change. My anthology of ten short stories (co-written with a university friend) is not just an expedition into imaginative terrains; it’s a strategic move, a unique selling proposition.
Today, as “The Consulting Futurist”, I strive to merge education, vision and action. I endeavour to push my clients, challenge their horizons, and think expansively about the myriad futures that await. After all, in this dance with technology and time, shouldn’t we all be poised, not just to move, but to lead?
“Turning uncertainty into foresight and anxiety into hope.”
More thoughts and tools about the future of work, personal growth and time well spent are available on my other social media platforms:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scott-mcarthur-workplace-of-the-future
Twitter: @scott_mcarthur
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottspeaks_story/
TikTok: @scottspeaks
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