Do You Have the Future Edge? An Ongoing Series from The Social Syndicate
Author: Michael P. Naughton
May 23, 2014
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“There comes a time when one asks, even of Beethoven, ‘Is that all there is?‘” — Jean-Paul Sartre
Many years ago I read a book by Joel Arthur Baker entitled Future Edge. The tattered hardcover still resides on my shelf. The book was published in 1992, a time when we sent messages via fax machines, used IBM computers, listened to music (G & R or Pearl Jam) on a Walkman, videos on a VCR, and if you were a nerd, you attended a Star Trek convention. You watched Terminator 2 and The Silence of the Lambs at the Theater, not on Netflix. This book is currently out of print, but I recommend you grab a copy from somewhere.
Future Edge by Joel Arthur Baker
Nearly a quarter of a century later we are indeed on the fast track of technology. But to quote Axl Rose, “Where do we go? Oh, where do we go now? Oh, where do we go?”
When Digital Dominoes Fall
If you’re a writer or entrepreneur, you will occasionally experience “synchronicity” or the Jungian Collective Unconscious. We tap into ideas. Such was the case with Brian Solis’ Digital Darwinism– Engage was an excellent book by Solis and I recommend it often. Prior to his book and concept, I used to call it “Digital Dominoes” back in 2010, referring to my experience at Borders, Books, Music & Movies. At one time Borders was a promising Fortune 500 Company and then, seemingly overnight, the Books… Music… and Movies… and eventually Borders itself would fall. The CD department was the first to fall with the advent of the iPod. DVDs fell next due to online streaming, YouTube and Netflix, and then lastly… Amazon. Borders Kobo was late to the party and the rest is history. But Borders, at one point, was ahead of the game. So what happened?
Here’s a great article on the eBook evolution (in Future Edge The Sony Data Discman is groundbreaking technology and adumbrates the eReader revolution). http://the-digital-reader.com/2010/05/07/blast-from-the-past/#.U5I2wHJdXE0 Why Borders Failed by NPR
The Future (Edge) is Always in Our Hands
I’d like to continue Joel Baker’s discussion in this ongoing series and would like your feedback. I think the #FutureEdge is always in our hands. The question is: Will you be wringing your hands or clapping them? I could get Zen-like and say the answer lies in the riddle of the sound of one hand clapping… But I don’t know the answer, do you?
Do you have the #FutureEdge
Next in our series: Time is on My Side – Who has the Future Edge in the Quest for Time?
Michael P Naughton is the Co-founder of The Social Syndicate TM, located in Los Angeles California. He is a novelist and screenwriter and also the owner of 13 Hands Publications and has successfully published actor/poet Michael Madsen (Mr. Blonde) who is best known for his cinematic work with director Quentin Tarantino. Prior to that he worked in management, sales and events at Borders and digital media and advertising in print, online and television.
