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Published Jun 28, 2022

690: Jane McGonigal | How to See the Future and Be Ready for Anything

Jane McGonigal, a leading futurist, delves into the art of predicting and preparing for future societal and technological changes, sharing practical exercises to build resilience, optimism, and a balanced approach to navigating uncertainty. From pandemics to digital privacy, McGonigal explores how imaginative thinking and practical foresight can equip individuals and organizations to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
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  • Pandemics

    reflects on the importance of predicting future pandemics, noting that while many anticipated an influenza outbreak, COVID-19 blindsided the world. He emphasizes the value of imagination training to prepare for rapid changes, suggesting exercises like envisioning life in 10 years to foster long-term planning 1. adds that during crises, the fog of uncertainty can lead to conspiracy theories, highlighting the need for clear thinking and preparation 2.

    It's so hard to think clearly when we're facing a shock. And I think one thing that we've all just lived through is that sort of fog of uncertainty.

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    Jane advocates for public simulations to help individuals prepare for future scenarios, making it easier for governments to respond effectively.

       

    Tech

    Jane discusses the role of games in helping people adapt to pandemics, such as creating socially engaging video games to aid in quarantine. She shares her experience developing games like Top Secret Dance Off, which encouraged virtual dance parties 3. The conversation shifts to the unintended consequences of facial recognition technology, which has advanced to recognize masked faces due to the pandemic 4.

    It's an unanticipated consequence of the pandemic is that all these companies that they've optimized their algorithms through facial recognition. Now, everyone's covering half their face with masks to stay safe.

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    Jane imagines a future where people use adversarial makeup to opt-out of surveillance, highlighting the evolving relationship between technology and privacy.

       

    Planning

    Jane explores the imaginative value of planning for the future, suggesting exercises like scheduling events 10 years in advance to align with one's core values. This approach helps individuals envision a life that is authentic and true to themselves 5. She also discusses the benefits of imagining future scenarios in a playful and detached manner, which can make confronting real risks less daunting 6.

    When you thinking about the far future, you do kind of get out of your own body and out of your own mind and you zoom out.

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    By engaging in these exercises, people can better prepare for future challenges while maintaining a sense of hope and motivation.

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