Book review: Prepare for the future with FOREsight.

The way we perceive tomorrow defines the way we prepare for it.

FOUR game-changing technologies (artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and bioengineering) are evolving at a rapid pace, but sometimes these technologies cause more anxiety than anything else. Futurist John Sanei, however, sees them as the pillars of a hyperintelligent, hyper-efficient, hyper-personalised and hyperaffordable future, which he explores in his latest book.

FOREsight, Sanei’s third non-fictional book, is an interesting mix of technology and perspective that will help anyone to think beyond the obvious answer and equip them for the future. Through 20 of the most remarkable scenarios – which he names ‘SHOTS’ – Sanei uses four perspectives, ‘HINDsight’, ‘PLAINsight’, ‘INsight’ and ‘FOREsight’, to explain each SHOT.

HINDsight refers to people who live in the past and use memories to try and make sense of the future. PLAINsight relates to the people who think seeing is believing – if they can’t see it, it isn’t true. INsight is for those who have all the necessary qualifications but none of the wisdom – they struggle to be agile outside of their learnt field. FOREsight (what Sanei is essentially trying to teach in this book) is about connecting invisible dots and getting to that ‘ah-ha’ moment of clarity. If you can let go or work through the previous three perspectives, he believes you will thrive in both life and business.

Are you daunted or are you driven? How do you move from repetition to adaptation? FOREsight covers both personal and external situations. There are chapters on disrupting yourself and the power of language, as well as autonomous vehicles, e-waste recycling, future food and the rise of the machine.

The bottom line? FOREsight is about getting the reader to change their perspective, it’s about becoming more fluid, and facing up to a future packed with sentient technology.

‘Start developing an insight into quantum science and the latest research rather than being stuck with Newtonian science from the industrial era.’ – John Sanei FOREsight (Mercury) is now available online and at all major bookstores nationwide.