Exploring the Future: Insights from Peter Schwartz

Peter Schwartz discusses the role of a futurist, emphasizing the importance of imagination in creating positive future scenarios. He shares his personal journey and the development of scenario planning, highlighting key skills like curiosity, imagination, and collaboration. Through examples like IBM and AT&T, Schwartz illustrates the need for scenario planning in business. He concludes with a hopeful outlook on future advancements, particularly in genetic engineering.

What is one of the main challenges in futurism according to Peter Schwartz?

• Predicting exact future events

• Imagining how things can go wrong

• Avoiding technological advancements

• Constructing believable positive scenarios

What role did Peter Schwartz play in the film 'Minority Report'?

• He composed the music for the film

• He created future scenarios for the film

• He acted in the film

• He directed the film

Where did Peter Schwartz begin his career in scenario planning?

• Salesforce

• Global Business Network

• Stanford Research Institute

• Royal Dutch Shell

What is 'ruthless curiosity' according to Peter Schwartz?

• A focus on financial success

• An intense interest in gathering information

• A desire to dominate others

• A method of predicting the future

What historical example does Schwartz use to illustrate the importance of accurate information?

• The invention of the telephone

• The fall of the Roman Empire

• The discovery of America

• The map of California as an island

What was IBM's mistake in 1981 regarding the personal computer?

• They focused only on software

• They overestimated the demand

• They did not produce any computers

• They underestimated the demand

How did Peter Gabriel respond to the issue of music piracy?

• He ignored the issue

• He stopped producing music

• He sued the pirates

• He used piracy as free advertising

What does Peter Schwartz believe is a major future advancement in human evolution?

• Genetic engineering

• Space tourism

• Virtual reality

• Artificial intelligence

What potential does Schwartz see in genetic engineering?

• Creating new species

• Eliminating genetic diseases

• Building faster computers

• Developing new languages

What humorous advice does Schwartz give about choosing a spouse?

• Choose someone who loves technology

• Choose someone who enjoys traveling

• Choose wisely for a long life together

• Choose someone with similar hobbies