The Future is Evenly Distributed

"...only after the dinosaurs were gone did the mammals begin their great diversification and become the dominant land animals. Then, within 10 [million] years, there were mammals of all kinds living in many different habitats on land, in the sea and in the air. There were herbivores, carnivores, whales, bats."

Twenty years ago, as most of the planet had yet to hear of, let alone experience the Internet, famed, atypically prescient writer, William Gibson, the author who coined the phrase ‘cyberpunk’ envisioned a ‘consensual hallucination’ that we’ve long come to accept as the world wide web meets unfettered social media. Mr. Gibson then noted that ‘the future is already here, it’s just unevenly distributed’.

Many of us nodded, knowingly. We could fully grasp the implications — the bright and horrific potential — of cyberspace; of a global, real-time platform for communications, content, connectivity, creation and commerce. More to the point, we could envision how this would create a radically divergent society of haves and have-nots, of men and women who could access and manipulate the powerful, life-altering tools and technologies of the future; and those unfortunates who could not and who would become or remain marginalized.

We got everything wrong.

The future has arrived. Only it is evenly distributed. This is far more radical, far more life-altering and has far greater implications for every nation, every business, every group, every interest and industry, every individual than the future we were once so certain was within reach. For now, in this age of the Smartphone Wars, anyone, at anyplace, at anytime, can harness the same power, the same potential, as any other person. Any child can connect with any leader. Or stand against them. Any buyer can connect with any seller. Anywhere. Any product, from any corner of the Earth, can quickly become an industry killer. There are no boundaries, no limits, no pauses. No safe places. None.

But opportunity in abundance.

The benefits of technology have spread to billions, to all nations; now your direct competitors. You have until 2016 at the latest to embrace these changes. In this new world, everything will be under assault, everything will be destroyed. Luckily, several trends have already emerged, pointing the way to a new, prosperous future -- for those able to seize them. If you do, you prosper. If not, you go extinct.

Think Locally Scale Globally

• Everything about where you are, right now, matters -- and can be supported by deep analysis, knowledge and real-time response. But, it will truly thrive when you can provide this very same, highly unique, highly time-sensitive data, anywhere and everywhere, just as fast, just as robust, just as cheaply, just as individually.

Young Brown Woman Child

• Dear, Developed World, the largest untapped market in the world will soon become the largest market in the world. Don't miss out.

Values = Profits

• Anyone can get anything anywhere anytime from anybody. And you can too! What makes me want to buy from you is your values -- they are clear, they are known and they, not profits, are the primary reason for your enterprise.

The Spice Must Flow! 

• In America and throughout the entire developed world, we are  undergoing a fundamental and permanent economic and social change; at least equal in scope as to the change from agrarian to industrial -- only much much faster. We are in a period of rapid, massive and permanent destruction. A period of equivalent creation will occur, but somewhat later. In such an age, there is one market that will -- that must -- grow and deepen and expand and extend and consume and, hopefully, produce: Government.

The Future is Evenly Distributed 

• The future is built on a level playing field; even, not uneven. Remember this throughout your entire work, play, learning, creating, vacating life and line of business.

Godspeed!