Outlines an approach for preparing and using futures scenarios that has been successful in the formulation of long-range plans and policies. How to construct a scenario and how to draw implications from the scenarios are discussed. (AM)

Successful planning for the future should include projections of desired goals and consideration of how those goals might be affected by changes in world conditions (retrojective planning). Fifteen scenarios depict alternative futures for Indiana University and suggest what retrojective planning can contribute to considerations of the long-range…

Nine specific projects that could be implemented now to apply future studies more directly to major areas of public concern and government policy are described. The first project deals with procedures, two with basic research, and the remainder address major problem areas of either national or global public concern. (Author/RM)

Technological forecasters often fail to recognize the whole range of changing circumstances that may affect their predictions. Drawing on his own broad experience, the author offers basic reminders to those who set out to gauge the direction of future changes in technology. (IM)

More than 25 states have undertaken a futures project, a special program established to address long-term goals, emerging policy issues, and strategies for implementing these goals and issues for state government. Presented are models and methods for conducting state future projects, based on a survey of recent experiences. (Author/RM)

The crucial decisions and attitude changes that educators and administrators must make if higher education is to survive into the 21st century are identified using the insights and ideas of Alvin Toffler, John Naisbitt, Gerard O'Neill, and other futures thinkers. (Author/RM)

By thinking about and trying to predict the future, we force ourselves to articulate our feelings and thoughts about that future. A technique using intuitive and logical thinking based on right brain-left brain differences is proposed to aid in decision making by both groups and individuals. (Author/IS)

Futures research, like anthropology, is an undertaking that can change the researcher by bringing to light doubts and questions most people prefer to ignore. A futurist discusses his intellectual evolution since he started to study the future 17 years ago, sharing insights that came to him along the way. (RM)

Key assumptions, ideology, and biases of future studies are critiqued in an attempt to enhance the field's applicability and impact throughout the world. (RM)

For future studies to prove their value in those nations seeking to advance rapidly and to raise the standard of living of their inhabitants, they will need to develop new methods and new goals. Some of these are suggested and discussed. (Author/RM)

Cultural institutions and attitudes are being reshaped and often disrupted without warning or intention by the information revolution. Different socio-cultural visions of the information revolution among scholars in France, Japan, and the third world are described. (Author/RM)

Effective decision-making depends upon true communication among decision-makers. Futurists should develop fundamental thinking skills such as the ability to formulate good questions, consider alternative points of view, and set short- and long-range goals. By example and through education, the "tools of futuristics" can be employed usefully in…

To help citizens select goals and policies to achieve a preferred future, they are presented with future scenarios and asked, via a short questionnaire, to take a stand on key assumptions underlying the scenarios. The assumptions deal with the impact of the scenarios on the population's lifestyle and economy. (RM)

The Hawaii Judiciary has been using futures research to help identify the legal aspects of emerging social trends. Emerging issues analysis works because the life cycle of issues can be seen as following certain patterned phases. Describes the process of this research and its results. (Author/CS)

Today, citizens of developed countries tend to have a pessimistic outlook on the future. Examined are future visions held by people in earlier times--ancient Greece, Rome, and Israel, Renaissance, Enlightenment, and Victorian England--that may help us find reassurance and support in devising positive future visions. (Author/CS)