What’s one thing you were sure would happen, but didn’t?
When I first started as a student of futures studies in the 1970s, I did think by the time I was in my late 40s that space travel would have progressed dramatically–there would be humans on Mars and beyond.
I’ve also been surprised by the slow speed of global governance institutions. They are spreading, helping deal with social problems, but far slower than I anticipated.
I’ve been surprised that China has not imploded. I do think China will be a major Buddhist, religious nation by 2050. They resist it too strongly; I am sure there will be a pendulum reversal.
What’s something that totally surprised you?
I was surprised by the willingness of the international community to take steps to stop genocide in Bosnia.
I’ve also been deeply surprised by food providers in primary schools agreeing to serve healthy meals–and by moves like Los Angeles County banning Coca-Cola from schools.
Sohail Inayatullah is a professor of political science at Tamkang University in Taipei. He is co-editor of the Journal of Futures Studies, associate editor of New Renaissance and the author of more than 300 journal articles and books including The Causal Layered Analysis Reader and Globalization and World Systems.
http://www.forbes.com/2007/10/13/sohail-inayatullah-prediction-tech-future07-cx_1015Inayatullah.html