Summary

The article discusses the challenges of accepting future changes due to human resistance to change, particularly emphasizing the impact of technology on traditional industries and job roles.

Abstract

The article delves into the psychology behind human resistance to change, particularly when it comes to envisioning the future. It highlights how our brains are wired to prefer stability over the rapid and exponential changes brought by modern technology. The author reflects on past predictions, such as the decline of newspapers in favor of electronic media, and how these changes were met with denial. The piece argues that as we age, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine paradigms different from what we have known, such as the shift from fiat currency to cryptocurrencies. It outlines inevitable future changes like the advent of driverless vehicles, the rise of AI in data-centric jobs, and the transformation of the financial system through blockchain technology. The author concludes by urging readers to acknowledge and prepare for these changes, rather than succumbing to nostalgia and fear of the unknown, as failure to adapt could lead to significant disruption in one's life.

Opinions

The author believes that predicting the future is a difficult yet enlightening exercise, providing insight into the forces shaping our world.
People tend to reject predictions of change, especially when it threatens their current lifestyle or profession.
Denial is a common response to the prospect of significant technological disruptions, as seen with the initial rejection of digital media over newspapers.
Preferences and biases can blind individuals to the likelihood of certain futures, such as the continued relevance of print media or petrol-powered vehicles.
The author suggests that resistance to change increases with age, making it harder for older generations to accept innovations like cryptocurrencies.
The future is portrayed as relentless and indifferent to individual preferences or efforts to resist change, as evidenced by historical technological advancements.
Jobs involving data management, interpretation, and decision-making, such as those in transportation, medicine, and law, are likely to be automated by AI.
The financial system is seen as ripe for disruption by digital currencies and decentralized finance (DeFi), with traditional banking and fiat money potentially being phased out.
The author advises proactive adaptation to forthcoming technological changes to mitigate their potentially disruptive effects.

The Number One Reason Why You Still Don’t Believe in the Future

Beware of wishful thinking

I spend a lot of time in the future. Even though I understand the need to live in the now, for some reason my mind enjoys wandering in the realm of the unmet potential and the endless possibilities the future might bring.

When I observe reality, I can’t help but see trends, extrapolations, and logical conclusions.

I get it wrong most of the time, guessing the future is a difficult art, but even then, it helps me to understand the underlying causes that keep the world spinning.

Humans don’t like change. Our brains evolved in an era where variability was slow, incremental, and linear.

Now, we are in the exponential era — things not only change fast but also the pace keeps accelerating by the day.

I’m one of those annoying people that keep telling everyone about the future consequences of change and the implications they will have in our lives.

People don’t like this one bit. To be reminded that your life can change overnight due to new technologies, trends or policies is uncomfortable. We rather shut our ears and pretend things will remain more or less the same forever and we are safe in our bubble.

Denial is a powerful drug

20 years ago I told my father newspapers were doomed and will soon be replaced by electronic media. He didn’t like/agree with my prediction, not because he didn’t see the probability of it happening but because he didn’t like the idea.

Wishful thinking

When asked about the future most people project their ideas, preferences, and dreams ignoring the chances of those wishes becoming true.

My father doesn’t like to read e-ink so in his ideal future, there is only regular ink. This is in itself one of the biggest barriers when it comes to anticipating outcomes and planning accordingly.

If you don’t like electric cars, you will imagine a future where petrol runs the world and where those silly Teslas are not a thing.

But reality doesn’t necessarily agree with your preferences, in fact, it doesn’t at all.

“The internet might be a passing fad” read one article in the late 90s. Needless to say, the newspaper that published it is no longer in circulation.

Age

This tendency to deny the obvious gets worse as we age. For example, most people under 40 believe cryptocurrencies are the future but very few over 50 agree.

If you’ve been brought up in a fiat system, trying to imagine anything different becomes harder the longer you’ve been exposed to the old paradigm.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. The future has a stubborn tendency to surprise us and it doesn’t usually ask for permission.

The future

These are some of the changes we will see in the near future that will affect your life whether you like them or not. Some might take longer, some might come faster but most are inevitable.

Driverless vehicles

Billions are spent every year in developing and perfecting the autonomous car. They have made a lot of progress and this change will only accelerate.

If your job consists of driving some sort of vehicle (taxi, truck, plane, ship, train) you will be out of a job in less than 10 years. Time for plan B.

AI

Any job related to managing, interpreting, or using data will be done by machines soon, in fact, many already are.

Let’s face it, we humans are not good at handling big data and AI will soon replace us in those tasks.

You might think that your job is not data-related but then think again. Doctors and lawyers for example are professions that involve handling vast amounts of information and then making decisions based on knowledge and experience.

Chess players do exactly the same. It takes years to become a master because that’s the time needed to acquire enough data to choose the right strategy at any given point.

Chess masters were beaten by machines long ago and the next goalpost will be information handlers. You might dislike/disagree with this but the trend is clear.

Listen, I don’t particularly like some of my predictions. I’m here trying to make a living writing and I know I will be replaced by AI eventually. There is nothing stopping this monster.

Finances

Our financial system — banks, Wall Street, Fiat money — is obsolete and not suited for the digital era.

We are already seeing a new ecosystem taking over. Bitcoin, DeFi, stablecoins, smart contracts, etc are here to stay and will replace what we have now in place.

Bankers, brokers, and politicians are trying to stop it but the future doesn’t care about their futile efforts. It didn’t care about Kodak executives disliking digital photography or Blockbuster bosses disliking streaming either.

Since this is money, it will affect everyone’s life and those who don’t see it coming will be the most disrupted.

Again you might like your cash and your bank but that doesn’t mean it has a future.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, change doesn’t ask for permission, it just advances unstoppably destroying everything in its path.

Your best chance is to see it coming and react before it’s too late. When you see a tsunami advancing towards you it’s not a good idea to ignore it.

Be careful with your biases and your change resistance. Nostalgia is not going to save you this time.

If you are a boomer, you’ve already seen many radical technologies taking over the world. What makes you think this is going to stop now? Do you really think we have reached our final destination?

Quite the opposite. What we’ve seen so far is nothing compared to what awaits us. Expect disruption, expect exponential change, and expect it sooner rather than later.

Even the Titanic seemed unsinkable until it was underwater.

If you think about it, most changes in history have been positive for us, you wouldn’t want to go back to the middle ages or even the 20th century. Change is painful at first but in the end, is useful and necessary.

Embrace the new technologies, embrace change and let go of the fear of the unknown, otherwise, you’ll pay a hefty price.

The only thing to fear is fear itself