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Category: Design

Building minds for the future

Monday, 18 October 2010 09:47 Written by Eric Garland 0 Comments

There has been increasing discussion of late about the relative failure of United States schools to produce people ready for the competition of the future. In fact, many citizens, politicians and young people are looking even deeper to see that the schools produce a certain degree of failure that almost seems intentional.

The amazing Sir Ken Robinson has been at the vanguard of this issue for some time, realizing early that our entire model needs to be redesigned. Watch this beautiful animation of his vision.

iPad: does anyone need another computer?

Thursday, 01 April 2010 09:15 Written by Eric Garland 1 Comment

I answered that question in the negative out of pure instinct, but when you hear that Lulu is already signed on for a publishing distribution deal for iPad, you think – oh yeah, once again Apple doesn’t make devices, they make new business models. And exceedingly few companies are comfortable in that game.

Andy Ihnatko at the Chicago Sun-Times is just flat -out ebullient, in way that transcends fanboy excitement:

In fact, after a week with the iPad, I’m suddenly wondering if any other company is as committed to invention as Apple. Has any other company ever demonstrated a restlessness to stray from the safe and proven, and actually invent things?

Good question: Is your company restlessly invented new things?

A beautiful day in Urban America

Friday, 06 March 2009 13:04 Written by Eric Garland 0 Comments

iac_300This morning I had the pleasure of walking up the west side of Manhattan, skirting the shores of the Hudson where that plane landed not long ago.

New, beautiful shapes are springing up next to the scrap metal dealerships, the hallmarks of a society that continues the project of civilization. I am especially struck by the IAC building, one of the new children of Frank Gehry, the architect of Guggenheim fame.

It makes me think that cities are still the likely driver of economic recovery.

Urbanization is still a megatrend:

Rebuilding America to Inspire People

Friday, 09 January 2009 15:10 Written by Eric Garland 0 Comments

I loved Jim Kunstler’s forecasts for 2009, as dire as they were. And then I was particularly struck by this talk from TED, which is a couple years old. He talks about restructuring and rebuilding America as a series of inspiring places.

Since institutions need remaking anyhow, we should turn our attention not toward stimulating the cadaverous and non-functional, but toward the creation of the inspiring.

About the blog

This is the official trend blog of Competitive Futures, a management consultancy that provides trend research and analysis for business and government around the world. Here, we update you on interesting trends we see as part of our work for our clients.


For managing partner Eric Garland's new author and speaker blog, please consult and bookmark http://www.ericgarland.co

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