Future Minds: How The Digital Age is Changing Our Minds, Why This Matters and What We Can Do About It by Richard Watson
Our world has changed… dramatically. Children as young as five are spending up to eight hours a day in front of screens; the average teen sends as many as 2,000 texts a month; machines are competing with minds for employment and soon they will compete for our affection. Designers have recently unveiled the world’s first child-care robot.
We’re rocketing into the digital age at breakneck speed: a culture of rapid response with no time for reflection or focus. Losing the ability to think in a deep, creative way, we are in danger of raising a new generation that has plenty of answers but few good questions: the Screenager.
Drawing on the latest research, renowned futurist Richard Watson looks at the ways that screen culture is shaping the future and changing the way we think. In Future Minds he asks: are we becoming addicted to data? How do we go about starting a digital diet and clearing a blocked brain? In this book you’ll find thought-provoking and practical suggestions about reclaiming the space and time to think deeply. It’s time to go with the slow flow.
This book is for anyone who is curious about rethinking their thinking or unleashing the extraordinary potential of the human mind, whether you want to find out about the Myth of Multi-Tasking, the Benefits of Boredom, the rise of the Screenager, Constant Partial Stupidity and the Sex Life of Ideas.
Richard also wrote Future Files, which was described as ‘Part Jules Verne, part Malcolm Gladwell… a thought-provoking, laughter-inducing delight’ (Publishers Weekly). He is also a speaker and strategist who advises governments, NGOs and major corporations on the future, with a focus on where technology meets trends. Founder of What’s Next and co-founder of Strategy Insight, he balances his time between Australia and the UK where he lives with his wife and two future minds (aged eight and ten).
You might be interested in watching Richard at a recent RSA Event:
To order a copy of Future Minds, click here.
Best wishes
Graham Wilson – 07785 222380
PS My previous Business Book of the Week was “Drive – The surprising truth about what motivates us” by Daniel Pink (23/10/10)
the-confidant.info – Helping leaders see situations, organisations, themselves and others, differently
executive-post.info – Motivation and advice for senior executives exploring new opportunities
inter-faith.net – thefutureofwork.org – corporate-alumni.info
