About

WE LIVE IN SHIFTING TIMES, “the most pivotal point in human history,” a hypertechnological epoch of great challenge and great promise. Standing at the threshold of a new era, never before has there been so much concern about the future of the world. Many causes are attributed to this and many outcomes predicted. One thing for sure; something BIG is underway.

Clearly, we need a reality audit, a window in which the future is very clearly visible. Today, business-as-usual is a fantasy and global transformation a necessity. If we are going to be able to approach our situation with objectivity, understanding and wisdom we have to tap into the contemporary Zeitgeist and re-imagine the world.

The Future Lounge is the place such work; a visionary platform for studying, reflecting on, and discussing the future and the concern of human beings in our rapidly changing society. It is an open source oasis for proactive people whose work, values, and lifestyles are playing a critical role in shaping a better tomorrow: futurists, innovators, trailblazers, trend setters, activists, influencers, strategists, designers, and thought leaders of all kinds. The Future Lounge offers them an environment where new thinking is supported, the imagination is ignited, and the spiritual quest is valued; a relaxed meeting place from which to step back from the busy pace of their daily lives and take time to intelligently reflect on what’s going on.

As a transmedia haven where future dreams become real, The Future Lounge tells the story of the future while challenging us to share in the ever-surprising present. Uplifting yet outlook-shifting, we take on the largest of all possible subjects, the future. Mixing leisure and activism, entertainment and education, and information and reflection, we promote critical-thinking and positive change in the service of a healthy response to the realities and pressures of the 21st Century.

Championing policies and ideas that measurably advance both collective and individual intelligence, diversity, ethics, resiliency, and capability, The Future Lounge shines light on a full-spectrum future cultural ecology:

• Media
• Society
• Science
• Politics
• Business
• Education
• Environment
• Health and Medicine
• Lifestyle/Personal Development
• Geology/Geography/Cities/Travel
• Technology/Transportation/Energy
• Art/Entertainment/Creativity/Design

Looking through these windows on the world one can see The Future Lounge as an imaginarium in which to envision a brighter future, perhaps the most important thing anyone can do. It is where we can see the future, seize the present and gain an edge in the ever-changing world. It all drills and distills down to a core purpose of building a new channel for assessing the trends and issues driving change and the future while addressing the greater concerns arising from a kaleidoscope of accelerating possibilities.

A FELLOWSHIP OF THE FUTURE

The Future Lounge has been encouraged and galvanized by the work of many different writers, thought leaders, groups, associations, events and networks that have, in certain respects, profoundly shaped our understanding and outlook. These influencers are displayed prominently in our Blogroll. We want to take this opportunity of expressing our indebtedness to them. At the same time, it is only fair to say what while our work shows their influence, it does not claim in any way to be a faithful representation of their views upon all subjects discussed. Our guiding beacons include:

• TED
• Current
• FORA.tv
• TakePart
• ChangeThis
• Pecha Kucha
• The World Cafe
• World Changing
• Edge Foundation
• The Culturescape
• The Evolving Self
• Common Dreams
• Cultural Creatives
• The Fourth Turning
• World Future Society
• The Millennium Project
• Co-Intelligence Institute
• Great Transition Initiative
• Heroic Imagination Project
• Adbusters Media Foundation
• Center for Conscious Creativity
• Acceleration Studies Foundation
• James Martin 21st Century School
• Association for Humanstic Psychology
• The Leadership of Civilization Building
• The Asset-Based Community Development Institute

These are just a few exemplars that help The Future Lounge grow as an outlet for spreading awareness of how much we are caretakers in the future and part of the sacred web of life. Of these, we would like to acknowledge the Great Transition Initiative, the international network of scholars and activists that analyze alternative scenarios and chart paths to a hopeful future. At once rigorous and inspiring, the Great Transition story brings the message that we can create a better world if we shift our values and transform our institutions. Critical to this transition is growing awareness of the dangers ahead and the need to revise our ways of living – and living together – on this planet. In this, our time of choice, we need a vast movement of global citizens to carry forward such an endeavor:

A long view…

history has entered the planetary phase of civilization

A global community…

humanity and Earth are bound in a common destiny

A fear…

looming crises portend a time of troubles

A choice…

we can shape the future by imagining what it could be

A vision…

a great transition to a sustainable and just society is possible

A conviction…

a new global consciousness is ready to crystallize

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THE  FUTURE  LOUNGE

thefuturelounge@gmail.com

twitter.com/thefuturelounge

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