Envisioning Tomorrow: The Power of Futures Thinking with Ruth Wylie

Modem Futura

In this engaging conversation, Sean, Andrew, and Ruth explore the themes of visualization, futures thinking, and the importance of agency in shaping personal and collective futures. They discuss the challenges individuals face in visualizing concepts and the role of lived experiences in imagining future scenarios. The conversation also gets into the significance of introducing futures thinking in education, particularly for young people, to foster resilience and empower them to shape their own futures. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the evolving role of educators, emphasizing the need for futures thinking in classrooms. They explore the importance of empathy and social responsibility, the shift from dystopian narratives to hopeful futures, and the impact of individual actions on creating a better world. The discussion also touches on the Goldilocks principle in futures thinking and how life experiences shape our ability to envision the future. Ultimately, they argue for a transformative approach to education that fosters imagination and prepares students for an uncertain future.

Links:

• ASU's Center for Science and Imagination

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

02:01 The Challenge of Visualization

09:55 Imagining Futures: The Role of Experience

15:01 Futures Thinking in Education

20:49 The Importance of Agency in Shaping Futures

22:22 The Evolving Role of Teachers in STEM Education

24:01 Understanding Futures Thinking

26:30 Navigating Uncertainty in Education

28:05 Empathy and Social Responsibility in Futures Thinking

30:00 Shifting Perspectives: From Dystopia to Hope

32:44 Building a Better Future: Individual Actions Matter

34:10 The Goldilocks Principle in Futures Thinking

39:10 The Impact of Life Experience on Future Thinking

45:04 Imagination in Education: Breaking Free from Constraints

46:38 The Evolution of Education vs. Industry

48:59 Infusing Futures Thinking into Education

49:59 Parental Perspectives on Education

53:46 The Importance of Open-Ended Questions

56:39 Becoming Citizen Futurists

01:00:42 Who Owns the Future?

01:08:30 Closing Thoughts and Future Engagement

-----

Modem Futura is a production of the Future of Being Human initiative at Arizona State University. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. To learn more about the Future of Being Human initiative and all of our other projects visit - https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu

Host Bios:

Sean M. Leahy, PhD - ASU Bio
Sean is an an internationally recognized technologist, futurist, and educator innovating humanistic approaches to emerging technology through a Futures Studies approach. He is a Foresight Catalyst for the Future of Being Human Initiative and Research Scientist for the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and Senior Global Futures Scholar with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University.

Andrew Maynard, PhD - ASU Bio
Andrew is a scientist, author, thought leader, and Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions in the ASU School for the Future of Innovation in Society. He is the founder of the ASU Future of Being Human initiative, Director of the ASU Risk Innovation Nexus, and was previously Associate Dean in the ASU College of Global Futures.

-----