Uncharted: How to Map the Future

Margaret Heffernan's book "Uncharted" explores the people and organizations that are not daunted by uncertainty and encourages us to mine our own creativity and humanity for the capacity to create the futures we want and can believe in. She argues that we are addicted to prediction and desperate for certainty, but the complexity of modern life won't provide that. Instead, she suggests that we should focus on long-term projects developed over generations, experiments, and preparedness to create the futures we want and can believe in.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 20 February 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

An urgent read for the 21st century, Karl Popper's timeless insights remain as relevant as ever. In his seminal work, "The Open Society and Its Enemies," Popper argued that the key to progress and human flourishing lies in embracing openness, tolerance, and the willingness to challenge established norms and institutions.

Robert Phillips, former CEO of Edelman EMEA and author of "Trust Me, PR is Dead," echoes this message, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, transparency, and meaningful engagement in today's media landscape. Heffernan is a deft storyteller, weaving together captivating anecdotes and thought-provoking insights to illustrate her points.

"Uncharted" is a wise and appealingly human exploration of the future. Tim Harford, a renowned economist and author of "The Undercover Economist," praises Heffernan's ability to make complex concepts accessible and engaging. Heffernan challenges us to think about the future in new and innovative ways, urging us to embrace uncertainty and explore the possibilities it presents.

In her bold and invigorating new book, distinguished businesswoman and author Margaret Heffernan delves into the individuals and organizations that are not daunted by uncertainty. We are addicted to prediction, desperately seeking certainty about the future. However, the complexity of modern life renders such certainty elusive. Experts in forecasting are reluctant to look beyond 400 days, recognizing that history does not repeat itself, and genetics cannot provide all the answers we seek. Ineradicable uncertainty has become a fact of life.

In complex environments, efficiency can be a hazard rather than a help. Being robust is the better, safer option. Heffernan draws on a wide array of people and places to explore long-term projects developed over generations, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of human endeavors. Through experiments led by individuals and nations, new possibilities and options are discovered, fostering a sense of wonder and possibility. Radical exercises in forging new futures with wildly diverse participants allow everyone to create outcomes together that none could achieve alone.

Existential crises reveal the vital social component in resilience. Death is certain, but how we approach it impacts the future of those we leave behind. Heffernan encourages preparedness, doing everything today that we might need for tomorrow, as a counterbalance to passivity and prediction.

This refreshing book ranges freely through history, from business to science, government to friendships, challenging us to resist the false promises of easy solutions and quick fixes. Heffernan encourages us to embrace the unknown, to be open to new ideas, and to be willing to take risks in pursuit of a better future.

In conclusion, Karl Popper's insights into the importance of openness, tolerance, and challenging established norms remain as relevant as ever in the 21st century. Robert Phillips and Tim Harford's endorsements of Margaret Heffernan's book "Uncharted" further validate her bold and invigorating approach to thinking about the future. Heffernan's book challenges us to embrace uncertainty, explore new possibilities, and work together to create a better future for ourselves and generations to come. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let us be inspired by the resilience and adaptability of those who refuse to be daunted by uncertainty and seek to shape a better world.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471179785