Future~Present
(not yet in the microstructure format)
Develop imaginative tactics for scaling up from local to global action
What is made possible? You can help participants notice small changes, support
structures, and local success patterns that have the potential to be scaled up to a global
transformation. This includes surfacing strategies to overcome resistance and methods
to spread early successes. Future~Present does not produce a plan to be implemented
but rather builds momentum, imagination, social proof, and confidence in subtle or
incremental signals. This builds capacity to actively shape the system together and
pounce on opportunities.
Facilitation notes: Form two circles. Find one person directly across from you.
Inner circle folks are the future generation – 20 years ahead. (Depending on the
purpose of the group and the scope of their ambition this can be shorter or
longer.) You will be asking questions of the outer circle folks. Your goal is to
draw out a story.
Outer circle are the pioneers. You speak out of rich personal experience and
wisdom. You know and understand the evolution of including and unleashing
everyone is shaping their future… over the years, from now to the time of the
future “generation” across from you. Your goal is to imagine & share details of
your heroic journey into the future.
Inner circle folks will be asking the outer circle folks four questions, rotating one to right
after each question. The inner circle rotates, not the outer. The interview questions are
pre-printed for each person from the future generation to use as a guide. Inner circle
uses all their curiosity and interviewing skills to draw out the pioneers’ story.
The following four questions guide the interview. The goal is to generate a compelling
and detailed story from the outer circle pioneers.
1. Pioneer, I have heard about the old days, times were hard. Including and
unleashing everyone in shaping the future was misunderstood and people were
disillusioned. There seemed to be no way out. Is it true? What problems
existed? Tell me. [3]
2. Pioneer, what was it like in the midst of this turmoil? How did you feel? Tell me.
[3]
3. Pioneer, there are many stories about you and your fellow pioneers, what first
steps did you take? How did you turn up the heat? Tell me. [5]
4. Pioneer, I know you did not stop with those early actions on behalf of
inclusiveness and liberation. Tell me, where did you find the strength to go on?
What offered you direction along the way? Tell me. [5]
Debrief: As the double circle comes to a close, the inner group that has been listening
and interviewing may want to talk together to identify themes that popped out of the
conversations. The outer circle Pioneers should listen in without commenting… then
join in sharing their experience. [3] Switching roles and repeating the Future~Present
may be useful.
The future is already present yet very poorly distributed.
Adapted by Keith McCandless from Joanna Macy, Coming Back To Life
Above: the premiere and first live test of Future~Present at a Seattle User Group meeting. Fun
but not terribly productive. Maybe an intact group working on the same challenge would be
more productive.