by 
There is no doubt that the work of the futurist can be frustrating. We see opportunities or threats ahead but our advice is not taken. We fret about how we might have communicated better and redouble our efforts to be more successful next time. Looking back over three decades of experience doing this work, I believe we are actually much better at communicating and providing useful advice. But that doesn’t necessarily mean our clients will adopt it.
Resistance to change is nothing new and quite normal. I like to use Machiavelli’s quote from The Prince: “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain of success than to take a lead in the introduction of a new order things; because innovation has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions and lukewarm defenders in those who may do under the new.”
I do feel like something different is happening. It’s not necessarily resistance but more like a sense among clients that they are just plain overwhelmed. In the name of efficiency and productivity, our capitalist systems continue to squeeze the workforce and demand doing more with less. [Thus we have our “After Capitalism” research, but we’ll save that for another day.] You can just see and feel the complete sense of exasperation, exhaustion, and “please don’t make me have to think or do something more, or my head will explode.” A little hyperbole there, but you get the point. Despite all our efforts to be practical, simplify, and go step-by-step, the stress is palpable.
What can we do? I was thinking about one of my favorite quotes from Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, in which the son regularly asks his dad about them being the “good guys” because their job is “carrying the fire.” It is quite poignant. In today’s context I believe there is great value in carrying the fire. Our situation is not as dire as The Road, but it is a challenge and the spirit of carrying the fire regardless seems spot on.
My point here is that while we should continue to try and improve, we should also recognize it’s not just us, or as they say, it takes two to tango. Don’t get discouraged and continue carrying the fire. – Andy Hines
Leave a Reply