Here you will find a variety of Futures articles. Most are deep analyses of the
subject of investigation, rather than merely forecasts of trends. Several focus
upon China, where I have lived for much of my adult life.
The photo above is of Shanghai, with the iconic Dong Fang Ming Zhu in the background.
Written by Marcus T. Anthony on November 2009
This is a new paper, written for Nanyang University of Technology (Singapore). The purpose is to briefly introduce the concept of Deep Futures and the emerging discipline of Postconventional Futures Studies (PFS). The goal is to outline potential applications and benefits for Foresight and Futures practitioners. Deep Futures can be viewed in a historical context, as a development which emerged from earlier expressions of Futures Studies. DF incorporates recognised Futures methodologies and philosophies, and then adds new concepts and tools incorporating other ways of knowing. The primary function of DF at present is to act as a provocation to the dominant discourses of all disciplines, and to offer dissent to more conventional Foresight and Futures work. It thus presents the possibility of deepening the way we see the past, present, and future.
Written by Marcus Anthony on May 2006, 10
This article appeared in the Journal of Futures Studies in May 2006. It is an abbreviated version of chapter two of my book Integrated Intelligence. Here I trace the interplay of critical rationality and mystical spirituality throughout the development of Western civilisation. I argue that that certain plays of power have helped obscure crucial intuitive ways of knowing within modern science and education.
Written by Marcus Anthony on May 2003, 7
Appearing in the Journal of Futures Studies in July 2003, this was the very first academic article I ever published. Here I analyse techno-utopian futurist Michio-Kaku's book Visions, and find it leaves out some very important parts of the future.
Written by Marcus Anthony on May 2007, 11
This late 2007 article looks at three textual mythologies, and how the futures of China might fit them. I argue that the Orwellian Big Brother mythology is part of China's past; that Hu Jintau's vision of the Harmonious Society is ideal but far removed from current reality; and that the Brave New World mythology (hedonistic capitalism) most accurately describes where China is heading at present.
Written by Marcus Anthony on November 2006, 11
A somewhat light-hearted essay, this critiques the emerging discipline of Integral Futures (what I now usually refer to as Postconventional Futures). It tells the story of a conference I attended in Taipei in 2005, and how I observed some limitations to the idea of Integral/Postconventional Futures.
Written by Marcus T. Anthony on November 2009
This paper will appear shortly in The Journal of Futures Studies. The purpose of this paper is to unpack the discourse on China’s futures, with a particular focus upon the relationship of Chinese people and the environment. The goal is to problematise the dominant discourse, and view the issue though new perspectives. Two tools from Critical Futures Studies will be employed: Sohail Inayatullah’s Causal Layered Analysis and his Futures Triangle. Three possible scenarios for China’s futures are used as a focus: Big Brother, Brave New China and the Harmonious Society.
Written by Marcus T. Anthony on May 2008
There are currently no well-established Futures practitioners working full-time in the People's Republic of China, although certain futurists visit China regularly. This paper addresses the conditions, including political, social and economic, which futurists looking to set up in China are likely to face. It is argued that the time is now right for a range of types of futures practitioners to work permanently in China, or at least have China as a major focus. Conditions are sufficiently permissive, and with an increasing range of major issues problems facing China in the next decade, the tools and methods of Futures Studies could potentially play an important role in the development of China. Finally, the paper outlines some suggested steps that can be taken to begin to more fully establish a healthy discourse for Futures Studies in China.
Written by Marcus T. Anthony on 2007
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a Futures tool developed by Marcus T. Anthony called Harmonic Circles. This method is designed to help Futures practitioners introspect deeply upon their person biases, and take responsibility for their psychological projections.There is a description of the tool itself, and its purposes. An example from the author’s own research is used to demonstrate one potential way of implementing Harmonic Circles. Some appropriate and inappropriate applications of Harmonic Circles are then outlined, as well as possible problems.
Written by Marcus T. Anthony on November 2009
Civilisational clashes may be exacerbated by unconscious psychological projections, involving both national leaders and populations. In such cases emotional responses may override ‘rational’ behaviour. Harmonic Circles is a deeply introspective Futures tool, and works with the human unconscious – the shadow. The purpose is to enable both parties in a ‘clash’ to assume greater responsibility for their mental and emotional states, with the goal of enhancing dialogue and healing. A hypothetical application is brought forward involving a possible civilisational clash between the United States and China. Finally, the further possible applications of Harmonic Circles are listed, including the strengths and weaknesses of the tool.
Written by Marcus T. Anthony on Nov. 2009
The world economic crisis has led to a deeper questioning of our futures. However this does not go far enough. In this article, I say why, and outline the kinds of changes needed in modern education and society if we are to thrive as a species. This article has not been submitted for publication at the time of uploading.
Written by Marcus T. Anthony on 2006
Here I review the volume The Great Adventure: Toward a Full Human View of Evolution, edited by David Loye. This appeared in Futures journal in 2006.
Written by Marcus T. Anthony on 2007
Here I review two books by futurist Thomas Lombardo: Contemporary Futurist Thought and The Evolution of Future Consciousness. This review appeared in Futures journal in 2007.
Written by Marcus T. Antony on 2007
Here I review futurist Ivna Milojevic’s book Educational Futures. I comment in some depth on the postcolonial studies, and its tendency to romanticise “The East” and paint “The West” with a uniformly negative brush. In light of the huge changes in world economic and power structure over the past several decades, it is time to move beyond stereotyped and clichéd analyses.