Читать книгу Foxy Futurists and how to become one - Clem Sunter - Страница 5

This book primarily consists of articles I have written each week between May 2009 and September 2010 for the News24 website. The internet is a wonderful medium through which to express your views, because you get instant feedback in the comments made by readers of your article. They are raw, uncensored, positive and negative. The internet democratises the word as well as spreading it.

Although some of my columns are written as an impulsive reaction to an event that has occurred in the world or South Africa, I have a subconscious theme running through all of them. I want people to become foxy futurists, where – like the fox – they are constantly scanning the environment around them to identify opportunities and threats that arise from the changes taking place. But – more than that – I want them to respond with action, an adaptation of behaviour, strategy or tactics to suit the new circumstances. It is the speed of response that ensures the survival of the fox and makes it one of the most successful of species. Likewise with human beings and companies.

I would like to thank Cathryn Rees, who originally invited me to become a columnist for News24, and Aneeqah Emeran, who has assisted me with the production of the articles on a weekly basis. Reading the articles of my fellow columnists on the website, I am very proud to be part of the team. We try to serve up a quality product that educates and entertains the readership. Sometimes we strike a chord, sometimes we fail, but the intent is always there. The great thing about an internet news site is that you rapidly know where you stand by the number of hits you achieve. We even have a hit parade! Each article is like a CD single, immediately measured and ranked.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Erika Oosthuysen and her colleagues at Human & Rousseau for converting my articles and commentary into a literary format that is logical to follow and entertaining to read.

I have dedicated the book to the late Steve Biko, who linked self-development to self-esteem, a concept that is only now gaining general currency. In modern terminology, the only way of overcoming the hideous inequalities in South African society is to create a culture of entrepreneurship whereby people feel sufficiently empowered and confident to do things for themselves and ask what they can do for others.

I hope you get as much pleasure out of dipping into these articles as I got out of writing them. Because I liken this book to a CD album, here is the message for the cover. Wherever you are, whatever you do, may the fox be with you when you look at the future. Every track is composed with this wish in mind. Press ‘play’.