Meeting the unknown with love and enthusiasm.

Navigating This Era of Exponential Technology and Human Reconnection

We stand at a precipice of change unlike any other in human history. Technology is advancing at break-neck speeds, bringing with it both promise and peril. Artificial intelligence and immersive realities are becoming ubiquitous, while the human condition worsens. Wealth disparity grows, trust in institutions declines, the planet suffers, and we feel increasingly disconnected from each other.

AI generated image: meet the future

It can be tempting to resist such tidal forces of change, but as Alan Watts said,

"This is the real secret of life -- to be completely engaged with what you are doing ... And instead of calling it work, realise it is play."

Rather than try to hold back the rising tide, we must learn to ride its waves; yes it’s scary, yes there’ll be disruption, yes there’ll be change, and yes, there’ll be a longing for what once was.

The answers we seek are often within, as Lao Tzu wrote: “At the centre of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.”

But what about unearthing what’s possible? What about delving so deeply into our very core that we’re able to see ourselves in a new light and embrace these tools to solve the most complex challenges facing the Planet and humanity? There’s a revolution at our doorstep and like every other revolution before this tidal wave of technological change, new, unfathomable and seemingly outlandish opportunities emerged.

How do we get there?

This begins with embracing "I don't know," and by relinquishing old assumptions by opening ourselves to new possibilities. As Mark Twain advised, “Supposing is good, finding out is better.”

Discovery requires beginner's minds, viewing life as a child does - with curiosity, wonder, delight — and play.

We each have a unique role to play in this time of change. But first, we must look inward.

Design and technology are merely tools. How we use them depends on our intention. They can exacerbate our disconnection, or enable greater unity. The choice is ours. This new era calls us to relate authentically and foster community. For we’re not islands, but part of a greater whole. I

Companies like my newest startup, Faster Zebra, provide hope, guiding people to find purpose and maximise their potential. Our mission is to improve life by embracing our shared humanity. We are powerful creators of the realities we envision. The story of our future has not yet been written, but it’s we who must write our story, and not assume one that’s been written for us.

The inevitable changes that are coming need not be feared, but welcomed as incredible opportunities. We each have a vital role in manifesting a more just, sustainable and conscious world. The miracle is looking back at us in the mirror. Now is the time to become the heroes of our own journey. With beginner’s minds and open hearts, we can ride this wave to a new shore.

The Pace of Change

The rate of change we see today is unprecedented. Technology is evolving faster than ever before, bringing massive upheaval across all aspects of society. Consider that:

• It took the telephone 75 years to reach 100 million users globally. Pokémon Go achieved the same in under 1 month.

• 90% of the world's data has been created in the past 2 years alone. Data generation is doubling every 18 months.

• AI is automating jobs at a pace we've never seen. Millions of jobs will disappear, but the creators, problem solvers and community builders will thrive. This WEF report indicates several new artificial intelligence specialist roles will emerge, including engineers, designers, content creators, data curators, and ethics governance experts.

• Virtual and augmented reality could reach $800 billion by 2030. The metaverse could soon reshape how we interact.

• Gen X, Y, Z, older and younger generations are losing trust in traditional institutions like government, media, and religion.

This accelerating pace compounds other issues we face: the decline of community, wealth inequality, mental health struggles, environmental degradation. It's understandable to feel overwhelmed. The very foundations of society seem to be shifting beneath our feet.

Embracing Beginner's Mind

Facing such disruptive change, it's tempting to cling to the familiar - but as Alan Watts said, we must engage fully with what's happening to find the joy within it. This begins by embracing "I don't know. Yet."

We must relinquish old assumptions and open ourselves to new possibilities by adopting a beginner's mind, what we once knew and did won’t apply in the new era. As Lao Tzu expressed, answers often come from looking inward. But first we must be willing to unlearn what we thought we knew. Curiosity is key.

Children tipify this attitude. They touch, taste, poke, play, tear things apart to see how they work. Discovery requires direct experience. No preconceived notions.

Of course, uncertainty is unsettling. But a beginner's mind-set allows us to ride the waves of change without being overwhelmed. Technology itself is just a tool. How we use it comes down to intention and values. Staying open and curious gives us agency over our lives and future.

Reconnecting to What Matters Most

This era calls for reconnecting to our shared humanity. For too long, reductionist thinking has dominated - viewing everything and everyone as machines and resources. The industrial mindset measured value in productivity, efficiency, consumption; this level of industrialism is evident in traditional schooling where knowledge is a commodity to be learnt, and exploration is eschewed in favour of fact absorption.

Now automation and AI are proving better at optimising those old metrics. But machines cannot replicate human traits like imagination, empathy, and love. Our unique value lies in that uniqueness; enter Faster Zebra.

What matters most can’t be quantified or commodified. The quality of our relationships gives life meaning. The depth of our purpose is what fuels this meaning. Our power lies not in domination but cooperation. By remembering our shared bonds, we can nurture community and forge a new path aligned with our genuine purpose.

Of course, realising this collectively won’t be easy when so many old structures remain entrenched. But each of us can start living from this place of deeper purpose. When we change ourselves, we recreate the world.

Becoming Heroes of Our Own Journey

Ultimately these challenges are an opportunity to become the "heroes of our own journey" as Jeff Brown writes. We each have a vital role in manifesting the future. But first we must turn inward.

"At the centre of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want," Lao Tzu expressed. By looking within, we can discover our unique gifts and how best to serve the whole.

When facing difficulty, we need to remember the only real obstacle is self-doubt. Our power sits in the stillness of our perspective and our willingness to unlearn and then learn anew. How we respond comes down to choice - and our choices ripple outward.

Of course, steps will be faltering at first. Failure is inherent to growth. Each stumble makes us stronger and wiser for the next wave. Growth lies not in perfection but perseverance. And surrounding ourselves with others who share this mindset creates an unstoppable current.

By becoming heroes of our own lives, we inspire that same spirit in others. And aligned in purpose, unified in spirit, we can ride the waves of change to new and better horizons.

The miracle is looking back at us in the mirror. The story ahead is ours to write. A new day dawns.

Shall we?