Key Lessons From A Brief History of A Perfect Future

Publication

Key Lessons From A Brief History of A Perfect Future

How federal leaders can help create a better tomorrow

听describes a pathway to invent a grand future for the world we can proudly leave to future generations. Lighting this path are seven technological advances expected to rapidly improve by 2050: computing, communication, information, genomics, energy, water, and transportation. These advances comprise the Laws of Zero: the reality that certain key drivers for mankind鈥檚 progress are heading toward zero cost and widespread availability. The authors share how we can combine them, starting now, to build a future that will enable billions to thrive and create a happier, healthier, and better society.听

Written by听Chunka听Mui, Paul Carroll, and 蘑菇视频 Allen鈥檚 Tim Andrews, the book paints a vision of how the world could look if we start now and experiment our way toward taking full advantage of these technological marvels. The authors draw on a key lesson learned from personal-computing pioneer Alan Kay: 鈥淭he best way to predict the future is to invent it.鈥�

The future, of course, won鈥檛 be perfect鈥攂ut what if听we can make it more so?听Innovations can take decades to put into action,听but听government, civic, and individual leaders can seize this moment to听envision听a much better world听30 years in the future,听igniting advancements听to听deliver value for听future听generations.听If we know where many of these advances are taking us, couldn鈥檛 we begin now to experiment? For example, shouldn鈥檛 we be considering how cities could be rethought based on driverless cars and other technological wonders quickly becoming a reality? Why wait 30 years to start learning when we can already see the outline of what鈥檚 coming?

We鈥檝e听seen federal innovation change the world with the creation听of the听internet, the听emergence of听GPS, and听the enablement of听rapid听vaccine development听to combat COVID-19. In听A Brief History of a Perfect Future, the authors explore what it will take to听create听a better tomorrow for us all.

Key Lessons from A Brief History of a Perfect Future

The Case for Optimism

Despite our many global challenges, we take encouragement from the fact that the world is becoming a much better place. Poverty is down significantly by historical norms. Life expectancy has fully doubled in the past 100 years. Educational levels continue to rise, even in developing countries. Crime is down. These broad gains justify optimism, and they hint at what will continue to become possible during the next 30 years.

The Laws of Zero enable society to tackle some of our biggest challenges: widely available and affordable health care, climate security, enhanced and more convenient government services, a more resilient electrical grid, and many others.听

We Each Have a Role

The federal government plays a fundamental role by establishing the regulatory rules of engagement, funding and conducting basic research, and sparking new markets.听And it鈥檚 not just the federal government. State and local governments will also have a big role to play, and they鈥檙e huge drivers of both the supply and demand for technology through their policy, regulatory, and procurement choices.

Business and associated organizations will play their crucial role bringing innovations to market, as companies chase the trillions of dollars of valuation that exists in today鈥檚 markets.听Individuals also have an opportunity to do their part, as citizens, family members, consumers, employers, and employees.

Inventing the Perfect Future is not simply relegated to one group or organization. It鈥檚 a choice that belongs to all of us.

Start Now

Perhaps the biggest lesson from the book? That even now, we鈥檙e writing our future history.

We can take a cue from the technology sector, where big accomplishments are realized by thinking big, starting small, being willing to take measured risks, and iterating rapidly toward success.听Whether ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of citizens or boosting national competitiveness,听蘑菇视频 Allen听works听with leaders in civil government to support their public service missions to help create the perfect future.

Science and technology, through the Laws of Zero, have provided us with leverage on the universe. Let鈥檚 use it wisely as we invent a great future together.

Watch our 60-second overview of 蘑菇视频 Allen's Tim Andrews, Chunka Mui, and Paul Carroll's new book, A Brief History of a Perfect Future.

Praise for A Brief History of a Perfect Future

鈥淎鈥疊rief History鈥痮f a Perfect Future reminds us that the future is our choice.鈥疘t inspires the bold thinking and creativity required to change our world for the better. This is a must-read for public and private sector leaders with the awesome opportunity to shape the trajectory of progress.鈥�

- Kristine Martin Anderson, President, 蘑菇视频 Allen's Civil Sector

鈥淎鈥疊rief History鈥痮f a Perfect Future takes a future-back approach in which commonly perceived constraints on the future state are released, permitting the starting point of that perfect future.鈥€疘 really liked the illuminating stories, how this feels a logical extension of the authors鈥� previous books, and the great writing paired with the imaginative Law of Zero concept. 鈥疉 compelling, interesting read that is also quite a bit of fun!鈥�

- James Madara, MD, CEO, American Medical Association