Lunch and Learn: “Can You Predict the Future?”

Professor Dan Tuuri will be hosting a Lunch and Learn on Thursday, April 14th entitled “Can You Predict the Future?” During his presentation, Professor Tuuri will explore the concept of ‘the future’ and how it is a concept that has plagued humanity since the beginning of time. Professor Tuuri teaches Information Technology and Project Management. He has been engaged in many strategic planning processes and led visioning sessions for various organizations. He has been a member of the World Futures Society, has attended the WorldFuture Summit, and has a brief piece published in The Futurist. Below is a short description of what his Lunch and Learn will cover.

“What if you could predict the future? Is this an attribute that could help you in your career pursuits, your research interests, or even your personal goals? Humanity has sought ways to answer and predict future outcomes for thousands of years. Many gods of mythology had their own oracle, it was this individual who spoke as a liaison of sorts between the god and the people. Regularly citizens would ask questions specific to their situations as they sought guidance related to business transactions, battles, crop harvests, or relationships.

In contemporary times we continue to see individuals seek the answer to complex problems and even those who warn or caution us of potential outcomes. Some organizations and consultants promote their ability to prepare for the future better than their competition. There are those that engage for personal and professional gain, while others work to more broadly work on issues that impact humanity. Sometimes, though, we may face the unknown in a fearful manner which results in a low risk tolerance that hinders innovation and limits our own ability to maximize our impact.

During this Lunch and Learn, the following questions will be answered:

  • What do the terms Futuring, Strategic Foresight, and Environmental Scanning mean?
  • Who are some of the leading authors and voices in the futurist movement?
  • Why did Ford not need the same US bail-out as Chrysler and GM?
  • How is the Canadian Government incorporating Anticipatory Governance?
  • What scientific principles can you apply to debunk false prophecies from potential realities?
  • What happens when a science fiction author is a little too accurate for comfort?”

To learn more about this topic, please join us for the Lunch and Learn on Thursday, April 14th from 11:00am till 11:50am in Pickell’s Conference Room. As usual, pizza from Jets pizza will be provided for those who attend. Please make sure to RSVP before noon on Wednesday, April 13th by emailing .

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