The great Australian news magazine, The Bulletin, has ceased publication, but this website still gives you access to many of their articles and reviews. A recent article I read with interest was Ten Life Changing Trends by futurist Richard Watson. His 10 trends for the future are:

  • Concious capitalism “embracing a model in which shareholders, employees, customers, and the environment are all deemed important.”
  • Making things ” resurgence of interest in arts and crafts” Internet technology enables people with specific hobbies to communicate and share ideas, plus a longing to slow down and participate in more meaningful activities.
  • Robotics
  • Industrial provenance “emergence of ethical and environmental concerns (and) the issue of traceability……opportunity for local suppliers to create product biographies, with details of social and environmental impacts of everything from manufacturing and distribution to disposal.”
  • Data Visualisation ” Our new visual culture is partly a response to Too Much Information but it is also a reaction to time famine.”
  • Data mining
  • Rhythm and balance ” People will seek out quietness and islands of tranquillity”
  • Intimacy “move back towards a small number of more intimate relationships……Spaces (and services) that allow people to engage in face-to-face conversation. Also old-fashioned communications like letter writing and actual meetings”
  • Fantasy and escape “more people escape via everything from physical emigration to movies and virtual worlds.”

I can see some great opportunities for libraries in all of this. 10 things to do with help of your library