The Story Continues
Hello 2021. We’re here, and you’re here, and, for those up here on top (?) of the planet, the days are getting longer and infinitesimally brighter. The turn of the year presented some set-backs, but some big leaps forward as well (we’re delighted to be on the third consecutive day of visible sun here on the Dutch coast). We hope you and loved ones had some meaningful contact during the year-end period, and some warmth and rest found you somewhere.
Having ended 2020 engaging with some amazing cultural entrepreneurs rebuilding communities, we’ve kicked off this year not only with the Masterclass below, but working with the cultural sector on some much needed work to help support a positive future for creative expression, experience and knowledge creation. Alongside this, we’ve been looking at the emergence of new forms of narrative and communities built around them in different cultures. And it’s still only January!
So, this is a short newsletter with some good news. We’ll try to do more short, sharp updates in 2021 — here’s a start…
Strategic Storyforms, Round 2
We began January hot, rolling straight into our inaugural Strategic Storyforms Masterclass, with a North American cohort for starters. And wow, we couldn’t have been more pleased. We had 20 amazing participants (thank you, yet again!) who joined us for 10 hours across three days to dive into two critical forms of strategic narrative for futuring—scenarios and speculative fiction. A reasonable percentage were up with the sun to join pre-breakfast from the West Coast (👋 LA, SF, Seattle, and Vancouver), as well as folks connecting with us from Toronto, New York, DC, and the Southeast. We had designers, ethicists, futurists, engineers, humanitarians, strategists, writers, curators in the group, and more. The conversation was amazing, the link-sharing generous, and teamwork on the activities brilliant. Jesse here was kind enough to tweet his experience.
Again, again
In fact, we had such a good time, Susan, Madeline and I decided to surge ahead with a repeat performance. So, coming 21-23 April, we will run Masterclass 2 of Strategic Storyforms, again for our friends in the US and Canada (don’t worry, European and Asian dates are still being planned, watch this space, and add your name to the list for updates). And, based on feedback from our first cohort, we’ve extended the Masterclass from 10 to 12 hours, adding more time for activities, critical reflection and discussion. But, the price remains the same!
There are a lot of new stories to tell in 2021 and beyond. Join us to go deeper into how to create, commission and consume strategic stories with intent and focus. And of course, feel free to share the link with communities you think might be interested.
How to Future, Still
With the turn of the year, the intensity of promoting the book under lockdown has eased off a little bit, but there are still some delayed podcast episodes coming down the pipe. Perhaps because we’ve gotten a few under our respective belts, it feels like they are getting more relaxed and wide-ranging. Find some more recent ones below.
The one outlier is the Near Future Laboratory’s Episode 002, which host Julian Bleecker wrenched from the Winter 2019 archives for that crew’s new show (which, along with a newsletter, we recommend).
The Deep Dive Pod (Scott Smith and Madeline Ashby)
At a Distance (Scott Smith)
Near Future Lab 002 (Scott Smith)
To come: I recorded what felt like a great episode of The Evolving Leader, hosted by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender, which should be out in the next month, so keep watching that feed.
Of course, we’re always up for a conversation, so if there is a podcast you would like to hear us on, let us know, or suggest it to the respective host. We’ve done everything from Twitch streams to ad hoc Clubhouse/YouTube mashups so far, as well as more trad podcasts, webinars, panels, interviews and mini-workshops. If you would like to hear from us, give a shout.
We’re still getting pics, reviews and recommendations from How to Future readers all over the world, like this nice one from the hard working people at Teach the Future below. Keep sending them, and be sure to tag us on Twitter @howtofuture or on Instagram @howtofuturebook. Thanks to those who have mentioned the book on various social networks or have left reviews.
An End is a Beginning
So much has changed (again) in the past few months, but a foundation of progress is being laid as we speak. Do what you can to help your community, whether that’s large or small, get to the other side. Small acts of futuring can help.
-Scott
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