Sixteen Supertrends
In Marx’s book Sixteen Trends he shares his wisdom. “Looking at tomorrow and seeing it only as a little bit more or a little bit less of today just will not cut it as we move into the future. Surrounded by a world filled with discontinuities, we desperately need to set at least a few audacious goals. Each of the below trends have implications for schools, school systems, colleges, universities, and other institutions, including communities, nations, and the world. These trends cut across the whole of society: aging, diversity, intellectual capital, technology, generations, education, personalization, human ingenuity, continuous improvement, ethics, planetary security, polarization, interdependence, personal meaning, poverty and careers.”
“Studying and considering the implications of these trends enable us to, among other things, get connected to forces affecting the whole society, encourage creativity and imagination, and identify opportunities we otherwise might not have considered.” As you consider the following trends ask yourself what the implications are for your future. The following list of trends are adapted from Gary Marx’s Sixteen Trends, Their Profound Impact on Our Future, Implications for Students, Education, Communities and the Whole of Society.
Trend One
We are not as young as used to be. For the first time in history, the old will outnumber the young.
Trend Two
Highly diverse; and good looking. Majorities will become minorities creating ongoing challenges for social cohesion.
Trend Three
Knowledge. It is the engine of the new economy. Social and intellectual capital will become economic drivers.
Trend Four
Convergence and miniaturization…less is becoming more. Technology will increase the speed of communication and the pace of advancement or decline.
Trend Five
The future is already here. The Millennial Generation will insist on solutions to accumulated problems and injustices, while an emerging Generation E will call for equilibrium.
Trend Six
Let’s get personal. Standards and high-stakes tests will fuel a demand for personalization.
Trend Seven
Imagination rules. Release of human ingenuity will become a primary responsibility of education and society.
Trend Eight
Every day, in every way, we’re getting better and better. Continuous improvement will replace quick fixes and defense of status quo.
Trend Nine
Let’s try to do the right thing. Scientific discoveries and societal realities will force widespread ethical choices
Trend Ten
The earth is our home. Treat it well. Common opportunities and threats will intensify a worldwide demand for planetary security.
Trend Eleven
I want it my way. Polarization and narrowness will bend toward reasoned discussion.
Trend Twelve
We’re all in this together. International learning, including diplomatic skills, will become basic.
Trend Thirteen
Who am I. Greater numbers of people will seek personal meaning in their lives in response to a fast moving society.
Trend Fourteen
Poverty makes us all poor. Understanding will grow that sustained poverty is expensive, debilitating, and unsettling.
Trend Fifteen
What am I going to do? Pressure will grow for society to prepare people for jobs and careers that may not currently exist.
Trend Sixteen
Educators apply here. Competition will increase to attract and keep qualified educators.