10 years on from the Australia 2020 Futurists Summit

The question is, ‘how does the thinking inside this document stack up?’ Turns out, pretty good. What we spotted and what problems we said we’d have to watch out for, are just about spot on

 

When it was discovered that the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was going to hold the Australia 2020 Summit, plenty of futurists got excited. Until we discovered NOT ONE FUTURIST was invited to be part of the group. So I convened the Australia 2020 Futurists Summit in the month PRIOR to the national summit.

So how did our thinking work out? See for yourself but the short note is that when I wrote in the introduction: ‘…Overtime the challenge will be
in ensuring that a ‘clean’ input process is maintained such that vested interests find it difficult to wrest broad public perspectives away from the contribution process…’ it turns out that I was smack on target of what the problem would be in Australia

Check it out for yourself The Australia 2020 Futurists Summit 

Australia 2020 – one year on, now what?

Mar 31, 2009

It is almost a year since the Australia 2020 Summit was held in Canberra and it is expected that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will provide feedback on the summit, the ideas it generated as well as the ideas of those not at the summit who provided input and thinking. Of course a lot has changed…

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Wearable Technologies coming to some clothing near you

Mar 16, 2009

A few years ago whilst researching and generating ideas for the National Geographic Channel’s futures based TV shows ‘Future Matters’ I discussed the idea of what I then called ‘WEs’ or Wearable Electronics. I mentioned that this was a substantially different approach than portable electronics, which is what most mobile phones and laptop computers were…

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When a Car Insurance company leaves a bad taste in your mouth

Mar 2, 2009

It is a tad unfortunate that in the past couple of weeks I’ve had to experience the way in which one of the players in the car insurance industry treats its customers. I haven’t lost a single demerit point since well into last century and consider myself a pretty safe driver. So a couple of…

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Recession Proof Marketing – how to survive and thrive in a recession

Mar 1, 2009

Marcus Barber has teamed up with Marketing expert Tod O’Reilly to write ‘Recession Proof Marketing – how to survive and thrive in a recession’. The book is due for completion by the end of March, 2009 and pre orders are now being taken for advance copies Tod was the account manager for both the David…

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2009 – Living with an economic downturn – a view from Russia

Feb 15, 2009

At the Long Now group run by Stewart Brand, they have regular guest speakers on a whole range of topics. Recently they had Russian Dmitry Orlov who discussed what happened in Russia during the economic crisis in the early 1990’s and what people around the world might need to do to prepare for the current…

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2009 – a year for Playing ‘Catch-Up’ (Part 1)

Jan 18, 2009

This is Part one with Part two (looking at who will probably better off at this time next year) to come shortly. If you are in a position to sharpen your thinking, catch a breath or use some time to improve your understanding of the ways in which we create our societies, then I have…

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Ahead for 2009 on 774 ABC’s conversation hour

Jan 12, 2009

What’s emerging for 2009? What might shape the near term future, what can we do about it and what are some of the indicators suggesting change or otherwise? Strategic Futurist Marcus Barber joined Raphael Epstein and co-host Denise Scott, as part of the panel to answer the questions on the 774 ABC’s conversation hour today……

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2008 – what a year it was!

Dec 27, 2008

Yes you read right – thinking ahead I’m anticipating an amazing 2008. Happy new year to all for when it happens (depending on the calendar you subscribe to) and I look forward to some fun, challenges, stresses and enjoyment for the year ahead. Marcus Barber 🙂 PS – Hope 2007 was a good one

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Australian Strategic Planning Institute work shop in Sydney fully booked

Dec 7, 2008

The Advanced one day Strategic Planning Workshop in Sydney on the 11th of December at Rydges World Square is now fully booked For inquiries about the next series of dates for the 2009 series, keep an eye out on The Australian Strategic Planning Institute website at www.taspi.com.au or contact us via email here

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Heading down the drain with the ‘4 Minute Shower’

Nov 16, 2008

Every now and again what sounds like a really good idea turns out to be less beneficial than what was hoped for. There’s lots of talk right now about technology solutions and ways in which societies can change the way they use water – there’s conferences and ‘talkfests’ a plenty featuring many of the industry…

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