So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and read Future Today Strategy Group’s latest Tech Trends Report. Congratulations! You’re in for an eye-opening look at the state of technology now and into the future. This year we are confronting the beyond. Beyond our current understanding of the world; beyond the laws of physics as we know them; beyond, as FTSG founder and CEO Amy Webb puts it, “Humanity’s point of no return.”
If this is your first encounter with our annual report, welcome! And if you’re a returning reader, welcome back. There’s a wealth of fresh knowledge and commentary in this year’s edition for you to dive into, all with the depth of research and insight that you’ve come to expect from FTSG. Whether you’re a rookie or a vet, the guidance we’ve put together for you here is designed to help you get the most out of your reading experience.
We have been putting out a trend report in some form or another for nearly two decades now – believe it or not, there used to be two reports every year – and we even used to publish it as a printed volume to complement the downloadable version. Though it made a handsome addition to the bookshelf, the report eventually grew so large, spanning so many facets of technology across such a breadth of industries, that the printed book itself became too cumbersome for most of our readers…and shipping partners. But while we’ve streamlined the form factor into a hyperlinked set of digital books –15 this year, to be exact, plus a separate executive summary – the sheer volume of information the report contains can still be daunting. With that in mind, we’ve got a few tips on how to make the whole thing a bit more digestible. This way, you can use the report as a versatile reference and valuable tool to better understand the complex and ever-evolving landscape of technology.
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1. Start by defining your objective
It may feel a little silly, but trust us on this one. Before you even open the report, pause for a moment to ask and answer a simple question: Why am I reading this thing? To the casual reader, the answer might simply be out of curiosity, which is as good a reason as any! We write the report to be not just informative, but entertaining as well – after all, a ton of the tech we cover is downright cool. They say knowledge is power, and being familiar with the technologies that shape our world gives you a better understanding of your surroundings, of the news, and of where the future may take us.
Alternatively, you may be approaching the report with a more concrete goal. Is there an area of technology that is becoming increasingly relevant to your life and career? Grasping the ins and outs of that tech could mean the difference between it upending your livelihood and accelerating your success. In this case, your experience should probably be a more focused read of specific books and topics rather than an open-ended journey through its pages, and the steps below will help you structure that process. Clearly stating your reason for reading the report is an easy and effective way to ensure your time is spent toward achieving those goals. Refer back to your objective periodically while reading. Are you inspired by the new ideas you’re encountering? Are you learning information that is strategically valuable to you? Or might you benefit from reorienting yourself within the report’s 1000+ pages, among topics that are better suited to your needs?
2. Think buffet, not 15-course meal
We get it. If you’re anything like us, you want to learn absolutely everything there is to know about emerging tech trends. But unless you’re a truly voracious reader, or you have infinite time on your hands, attempting to read the entire 15-book report in only a few sittings is neither feasible nor effective. The human brain can only process and retain so much information at a time, so don’t bite off more than you can chew. We recommend the executive summary as a comfortable entry point for all readers. It will provide important context and whet your appetite for the content in the trend-focused books, and also includes a concise list of 10 Key Takeaways from the report, like the emergence of “living intelligence” or the colonization of cislunar space.
Once you’ve got your bearings, we recommend selecting up to three books that you believe are most relevant to your objectives, to be read in no particular order. If you’re reading primarily for pleasure, what are the tech trends that most pique your interest? If you’re reading to inform strategy, what fields of technology are most likely to transform your industry or work function? You may gravitate toward those books that represent opportunities for growth and innovation for you and your team, but don’t shy away from those that might reveal existential threats. Just remember, a book or two read thoroughly and with intention is far more worth your while than a hasty blitz through the whole report just to say you did it. Once you’ve got a couple books successfully under your belt, there’s always the option to read on.
3. Reap the rewards of active reading
Okay, so you’ve defined your goals and selected the first couple books you’d like to tackle. Now it’s time to start reading – but there’s more than one way to read. Active reading is a term used to describe an intentional approach before, during, and after the act of reading, and can take many forms. The good news? If you’ve followed steps one and two above, you’ve got the preparatory stage covered. During the act of reading itself, taking action to engage with the work can help solidify the content in one’s mind. Some like to highlight. Some type notes in the (digital) margins. Others write their thoughts down by hand or even speak their thoughts in a voice memo. The important part is that you do something.
The mere act of engaging with the text in whatever way works for you helps with retention and recall, increasing the value and efficiency of your reading. It will also help you make connections between the technologies and trends you’re exploring, and readily apply your learnings to external circumstances and use cases. Perhaps most importantly, active reading continues even after you’ve closed the report. If you’ve been reading for fun, try writing a brief reflection to cultivate some personal insights, or share highlights from the content with friends or colleagues – who knows, what started as fun may evolve into something with more lasting value and meaning. If it’s strategic decision-making you’re after, refer back to the executive summary for a four-part framework to turn the trends you’ve discovered into near-term actions, and a timeline of potential technological impacts to help map out long-term plans. There’s even a list of ten “do-it-now” tasks for organizations to properly prepare for the future.
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Our team puts in an incredible effort every year to make this report an illuminating, actionable resource for our readers. We’re grateful that you’re taking the time to explore its pages, and encourage you to take our advice on how to approach the material. There is no better antidote to fear and indecision than facing the future with a spirit of curiosity and inquiry. We hope this year’s report will impart that spirit, and inspire you to shape your outcomes for the better.
