Does your head spin when you think about the future of work, society and family? I went on a short trip with Cristina Pozzi, author of 2050 Guida (fu)turistica per viaggiatori nel tempo [2050 (Fu)Turistic guide for time travelers]. Cristina is also the founder of Impactscool, which brings training courses to Italian schools and universities, preparing for the big changes taking place.
Cristina: What are the changes that await us in the coming years? Cristina you’re a social entrepreneur and writer and you traveled into the future. What did you see?
Cristina Pozzi: The future I saw in 2050 is one where the environment in which we live changes because, alas, due to climate change, our planet will be subject to many changes, but also the same concept of family could be questioned, mutate, evolve, due to the evolution of genetics. For example, children could have three parents born by using the genetic material of all three, it has already been done in England.
Cristina: How are we going to increase our cognitive skills?
Cristina Pozzi: We can do it in many ways, both from a chemical point of view with medicines that are being studied to increase our attention and also with so-called neurotechnologies – we can have implants or helmets to wear that increase our creativity.
Cristina: And what if they are not within everyone’s reach because of the cost?
Cristina Pozzi: Only a few could benefit. We probably don’t want to see a society where only a few people can be smarter, more successful at work or have access to certain treatments to stay healthy. For those who cannot afford it, there may be scenarios where you can even get access to a technology in exchange for advertising, perhaps continuous, so you can always use it for “free”.
Cristina: What about sharing your DNA data?
Cristina Pozzi: That could also become a source of income, one of the many jobs that we might have because most likely we will no longer have just one job but many at the same time.
Cristina: And many jobs we know today will disappear. Which ones do you think will remain or become strategic?
Cristina Pozzi: Definitely finding ourselves immersed in a reality that’s changing fast and that we struggle to understand, perhaps also due to the presence of robots around us in many situations, the role of psychologists who can help us manage this transition, will be essential.
Cristina: Do you think there is a correct path to make this journey towards the future?
Cristina Pozzi: For now, no. The advice I always give is learn to be curious and learn to learn.
Cristina: So, by combining our natural talents and our intellect, heart, creativity and willpower. Occhio al futuro!
On air September 9, 2018
