The PM’s misspelt letter – a parable of modern Britain?

[Dr Graeme Codrington] The first few entries of this blog have focused on trying to understand the future by tracking the trends that are shaping the world around us. This is something I do everyday – watching the world, and looking for the defining moments and shaping stories. One such story from the world of British politics, military and the media caught my eye this week.

Comments [1] [12 Nov 11:17]

How to forecast the future: pitfalls to avoid 2

[Dr Graeme Codrington] As I elaborated on in my last post, individuals with a good grasp of the world and a strong sense of adventure might be able to predict some major world trends; however, if we want to predict the future effectively, we need to steer clear of attempting specific predictions.

Comments [2] [03 Nov 12:17]

How to predict the future: pitfalls to avoid

[Dr Graeme Codrington] If we were to transport ourselves back a century to 1909, would we have been able to predict what would happen over the next century? Highly unlikely! Yet, someone with a good grasp of the world and a strong sense of adventure might have predicted some of the trends.

[21 Oct 11:14]

How to predict the future - looking back to look ahead

[Dr Graeme Codrington] In a turbulent world, it is more necessary than ever to have some means of anticipating what the future will be. Anticipating – and responding to – future customer demand, industry competition, legislative constraints, resource availability, labour supply, and all manner of other changes, is an absolutely critical task for every organisation everywhere.

Comments [1] [08 Sep 13:12]

Survivor China: the Great Wall of SABC ruin

[Shan Radcliffe] It was all hands-on-deck for the three-hour Survivor finale last night, as fans across South Africa tuned in to watch the final plays and last minute wheeling and dealing from the contestants to see who would be crowned the winner of Survivor China. It's the moment we've all been waiting for. So what did SABC3 go and do? [poll]

Comments [9] [01 Sep 13:57]

Lessons in an urn: leadership lessons from an Ashes series

[Dr Graeme Codrington] Every other year, Australia and England play a cricket test match series against each other known as the Ashes, competing for the smallest – but arguably most revered - trophy in international sport. This series gets top billing on sports shows, and is hyped beyond belief. And, on Sunday, 23 August, it ended for 2009.

[24 Aug 16:42]

[Review] Terrific and disturbing – District 9 is a hit

[Gwen Watkins] Last week’s media preview of District 9, the new South African sci-fi film, left most of us quite shattered. Not expecting such a performance or to be so engrossed, the film may draw on recognised genres but it delivers the shock and uncomfortable recognition that Paul Verhoeven used to deliver. [video]

Comments [4] [17 Aug 11:36]

I’m an alien!

[Dr Graeme Codrington] “I’m an alien. I’m a legal alien. I’m an Englishman in New York”. The lyrics of Sting’s popular rendition fill my thoughts as I contemplate the similarities and differences between my life and the song. In my case I am not in New York nor am I am Englishman either. But I am effectively an alien living in another world: I’m a South African in London.

Comments [1] [29 Jul 11:10]