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Reviews of The Extreme Future! Publishers Weekly "Canton's background in future-planning consultancy began when he studied under Alvin Toffler in the 1970's - and it shows in this big-picture take on the world of tomorrow. Taken individually, none of the trends Canton believes will shape the upcoming decades are surprising: major crises brought on by energy shortages and climate change; economic transformation wrought by globalization; and the "ware on terror" has barely started. But he recognizes that the future is created by a "convergence" in which these developments interact. Canton's imagination runs in a dozen directions at once, peppering the margins of his vision with media headlines and short vignettes from a science-fictional future. Some of these are more believable than others - hydrogen-based energy systems by 2040, sure, but drugs that will keep us from even thinking antigovernment thoughts? Canton's goal, however, isn't predicting, it's convincing Americans to take a more active role in envisioning and safeguarding the 21st century before somebody else does. His lively scenarios are designed to spark debates, and they surely will." Publishers Weekly Book List "Canton, global futurist and business advisor, offers a forecasting road map for the twenty-first century that includes 10 top trends of the extreme future. These trends are the critical role of energy; information technology and networks; biotechnology; the manipulation of matter at the atomic scale (producing new drugs, fuels, materials, and machines); and the use of devices, drugs, and materials to heal and enhance mental performance. Other trends are the emerging workforce, which will be more multicultural, female, and Hispanic; longer and healthier lives; the critical importance of science; major threats, including hackers, terrorists, and mind control; and the new realities of global trade and competition. Finally, he cites preparation for increased global warming, the struggle for human rights and individual freedom, and the consequences of future interaction between America and China. Canton is optimistic about the future and believes Americans in general are, too. He observes, "They inspire change and innovation, creating a vision that suggests what is coming next will be good." Important and fascinating perspective!" Book List Library Journal "A sort of Extreme Future Shock, this work talks about how such issues as climate change, terrorism, shifting populations, and the rise of China will affect all of us." Library Journal SciTech Book News "Writing primarily for corporate executives, Canton (chairman and CEO of the Institute for Global Futures), a one-time student of futurist Alvin Toffler, predicts the top trends of the "extreme future," which is defined by speed, complexity, risk, change, and surprise. His predictions are presented in ten chapters that grapple with energy issues, the emerging innovation economy, the changing American workforce, longevity medicine technology, emerging science ("from teleportation to nanobiology to multiple universes"), security issues, economic and cultural globalization, climate change, the changing role of the individual, and Sino-American relations. " SciTech Book News CNN " Dr. James Canton author of the"The EXTREME FUTURE said you're going to hear a lot more about disease management in the very near future, particularly as we unlock the human genome.So personalized medicine, this fusion of combining biotechnology with healthcare, will make for a very different kind of healthcare that will be more precise, more cost effective and ultimately is going to help people live longer" CNN CNN "Once medicine becomes boldly proactive, then you're talking about eliminating 70, 80 percent of diseases.Canton believes the human life span will increase and that the ensuing societal changes will be monumental." CNN CIO Insight "Canton's new book real value lies in reinforcing the hard truth that "long-range planning" means more than what will happen beyond the next quarter." CIO Insight INC Magazine "There's a tremendous move toward green sustainability," says James Canton."There are going to be tremendous new business opportunities." INC Magazine NY Daily News "This event is a watershed moment for America," says James Canton.The birth of the 300 millionth American will signal the real beginning of the 21st century, when people's talents will drive the economy." NY Daily News National Defense Journal "James Canton, estimates that half of the U.S. gross domestic product is driven by "innovative" industries, and about 75 percent of them are being addressing the needs of the military" National Defense Journal Philadelphia Inquirer "Canton's list of the top nine jobs in the 2015 workforce suggests how dramatically life is changing. Those include neuro-medical techs, personal security techs, organ cloners, biofuture therapists and quantum scientists." Philadelphia Inquirer Fort-Worth Star Telegram "The future that Canton writes about is no distant science-fiction world, he says. His objective is to alert America to what needs to be done to make it ready and able to meet the twin challenges of innovation and globalization." Fort-Worth Star Telegram McClatchy-Tribune "This look at the challenges that confront America and the world today should find a place on the must-read list of all corporate leaders and public policymakers. Its greatest value lies in its showing how to think futuristically in order to promote profitability, sustainability and freedom." McClatchy-Tribune See Full McClatchy Review European Chemical News "The boomers will transform healthcare - they want to live forever with the vitality of a 30-year-old. These people will be a key economic driver for the development of predictive medicines, nanotechnology, biotechnology, new medical devices and lifestyle pharma." European Chemical News National Mortgage News "Customers are demanding change and mortgage bankers have to make a choice whether or not they want to lead clients into the future or play catch-up a few years from now, according to James Canton" National Mortgage News "The Extreme Future is a fantastic feast of ideas. So many books about the future are predictable or simply boring. This book is a whole other experience. Canton's mind is a non-stop treasure trove of complex insights, wild ideas, brain-stretching posssibilities and just plain fun. I wholeheartedly recommend The Extreme Future to anyone who would like to step outside the box and look at everything - from global politics to mind control to enhanced humans - in some pretty incredible ways." Dr. Ken Dychtwald President, Age Wave "Lots of folks talk about the future. Dr. James Canton's The Extreme Future takes you there, outlining in vivid detail the top trends transforming society and the marketplace. This book is visually stunning and beautifully organized. If you care about the future -- and who can afford not to? -- this book is for you." Patricia Aburdene Author, Megatrends 2010: The Rise of Conscious Capitalism and Co-Author Megatrends 2000 "Dr. Canton's account of the future of healthcare is chilling ... not because his vision is fearsome, but because his predictions are fast becoming fact." Terry Fassburg Vice President, Brand Communications, Philips Electronics “This book is your essential guide to the future. It is an insightful, straightforward, clear view into the amazing and surprising future that is closing in on us fast. It is essential reading to understand the revolutionary impact on business and beyond.” Toby Redshaw Corporate Vice President, I.D.E.A.S., Motorola “Canton’s optimistic prescription for a successful global future comes as a refreshing change from the often dismal reports alive in the world. Canton’s intelligence, wit, and passion readily found in the numerous talks he gives worldwide comes through in his prose.” Barbara A. Propes President, World Affairs Councils of America “Canton does a great job identifying the top trends that will shape our future. If you want to prepare for the Extreme Future, read this book.” Rudy Burger CEO & Chairman, U.S. Development Partners  List of Chapters, table of contents |
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Interview Dr. Canton Copyright © 1990-2007 Dr. James Canton & Institute for Global FuturesSM All Rights Reserved |
Dr. Canton Interviewed by CNBC's Street Signs