The Future is Young

Why this book

have to design them in times of growing uncertainties. We hence need to be guided by a clear set of principles and objectives. For younger generations, such principles and goals gravitate around two key notions: impact and values. Chapter 5 — The new landscapes, spaces and voices of talent innovation The new generations have talent, energy and values. This will enable them to change the world, and make it a better place. So what could go wrong? Well, there are many ways by which talent and energy can be misplaced, poorly organized or misguided (intentionally or not). Here again, history abounds with examples. The emergence of new ways to learn, work and interact can be very misleading in encouraging us to believe that we live experiences that no one has ever lived before. Fundamentally, the forces and mechanics at play are often very close to what they have been for centuries: survival instinct, greed, but also empathy and the will to be part of a diverse and inclusive community. Taking the example of urbanization, the concerns we face today (including in so-called ‘smart cities’) are much more human-centric than technology-driven. Chapter 6 — The values heralded by younger How do those younger generations define happiness? How can such a definition be combined with longer-term impact, and a value-driven society? Expression, creativity (combined, in many cultures with a romantic passion for ‘disorderly conduct’) need to be part of how impact will need to be defined. History tells us that time matters: a multitude of small steps do not necessarily add up to a move in the right direction, unless they are guided by longer-term goals and aspirations. generations are the lifeblood of the new geographies of talent and innovation

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