This episode of Imagine What’s Next features Richard Fisher, BBC Future journalist and author of The Long View. A long-term view is essential to the successful future of our planet and people, but too many of today’s world leaders are unwilling to consider the long view in exchange for the immediate gratification of short-termism. There are countless problems that can be addressed and possibly even solved with a long view, from climate change to growing inequality. While staying trapped in the present only prevents us from tackling these problems, the long view allows us to consider things not only as they are but as they could become. Together with Daniel Forrester, Richard highlights the importance of embracing a long view that will benefit our descendants, the insights he gained while researching his book, and areas of potential improvement, including where energies need to be focused as, globally, we move into a better future.

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] Richard recalls the events that culminated in the writing of The Long View and highlights his focus as a BBC Future journalist.

[5:25] Approaching the notion of time with an understanding of deep time and structured thinking.

[8:40] Insights into the cultural forces that shape our view of time and what makes the longevity perspective of Japan a powerful outlier.

[13:16] The psychology of mental time travel and how it can be implemented in business strategies.

[20:02] Multigenerational thinking and Jonas Salk’s vision of a “good ancestor” informed Richard’s impactful future population diagram.

[25:38] The most surprising studies and research that Richard examined while writing his book.

[29:08] Insights from the book highlight the myopic limitations of infrastructure short-termism and potential next steps to move toward a long-view reform.

[34:08] The future of capitalism and delaying gratification in favor of an achieved long-term vision.

[38:00] Encouraging conclusions from the book that continue to hold Richard’s attention.

[44:01] The inspiring message that Richard would share with one of his future descendants.

Daniel Forrester

Podfly Productions

Continue the Journey:

Richard Fisher

The Long View: Why We Need to Transform How the World Sees Time

Daniel Forrester’s new edX Course — Generating Vision: Long-Term Big Ideas That Motivate Employees and Stakeholders