Rod Emmerson’s view
Questions point way to predicting our future
The past is littered with failed predictions of the present and the future. But that doesn’t stop the predictions coming. Your recent article on Chris Riddell’s technological predictions is another example of confident proclamations, rather than illumination.
I’m all for thinking about the future but most of what we read from futurist pundits is myopic and misplaced confidence.
They tend to assume we substitute a familiar thing or way of doing something with a currently hyped technology. Replace the human boss with a computer, or have passenger drones rather than Corollas. and mathematics but also academic essay- writing skills for students who, given NCEA choices, may now progress minus that mastery. The Australians have decided to tighten up on immigration and funny old thing, the next day the New Zealand Government also decides change is needed. But it is far too late. House prices that disadvantage most of this country’s young are a consequence of rampant, unchecked immigration. There wasn’t a problem here until about 2010 when the floodgates opened. The country in effect was put on the market to the point of allowing wealthy overseas people not even resident here to landbank. Ordinary Kiwis are fast becoming tenants in their own country thanks to John Key and co.
“Why will we be working in 2050?” and “why would it be acceptable to have a computer as a boss?” are more illuminating than assertions of what will happen.
Thinking about the future is important and useful if done well. We more often shape the future through the questions we ask than the answers that we offer. Zealand needed was Trump’s other 10 magic words.
A quick word
Malcolm Turnbull has unveiled new rules for becoming an Australian citizen. Australia has for a long time fancied itself as a mini America. Taking a Trump approach to immigration should come as no surprise. Malcolm Turnbull’s recital of Australia’s values missed ( at least) one out. The core value of the earliest settlers and the forerunner of their sporting mantra, survival of the fittest: “Do others before they do you.” Just saying. Congratulations to the RNZAF on wasting public money buying hopeless NH90 helicopters. At least the Bell Iroquois lasted 50 years with no issues. Perhaps we should close the RNZAF and contract the RAAF to do its work. So we have lots of FBI, CIA and the like here for a conflab. I suppose it’s too much to expect they might pay for the level of security they consider they need. Two well- travelled tourists chatting on the ferry yesterday said in a global contest to nominate any city’s most well- nourished ( well all right fattest) pavement beggars, Auckland would romp away with the award. How very unkind. What more need be said on NH90s other than to remind everyone of the ineptness of the Clark Labour Government that purchased these aircraft. Mother Nature has decimated our outdoor green vegetable crops and caused rotting in root crops. New plantings now are going to be slow going. Make it illegal to on- sell tickets at more than the retail rate. To be consistent, those who rail against ticket scalping should demand entertainers put on more shows, insist houses are sold at council valuations and stocks are sold at their nominal prices. It appears the reason for pressure on students during examinations is caused by the pressure on teachers assessed on their ability to produce results. Trump’s armada is heading south instead of north. Has he got our North Island confused with North Korea? Cow’s milk is intended to grow much larger beasts. We should not be surprised the number of overweight human bodies is increasing.