Inspiration

Rolf Jensen - Dream Company
Rolf Jensen is Director of The Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, one of the world's largest future-oriented think tanks. Strategic advisor to over 100 leading international companies and government agencies, dr. Jensen is also Council Advisor to The Futures Council of the Conference Board, Europe . His articles on future issues and business strategy have been published in numerous periodicals, including The Futurist. The Institute regularly organizes conferences and roundtable discussions providing international businesses, futurists, economists, and sociologists with the opportunity to share vision and research. Dr. Jensen is member of the World Future Society based in Washington , DC .

Willem Asman - De Cassandra Paradox

The truth upside down

Prins Charles
"It is an extraordinary thing that unless you have a Ph.D. in some scientific discipline, no one takes you seriously. Unfortunately, you cannot at present obtain a Ph.D. in common sense. If you could, it might then entitle you to point out that the prevailing world view, which since Descartes expressly forbids the use of all the senses the Good Lord has endowed us with and merely confines us to an unbalanced reliance on 'science' and rational deduction, is a classic means of ensuring our own extinction." PRINCE CHARLES (Resurgence, May/June 2006)

The call of story
A story is told of a disciple and his Master. The diligent disciple would go to the great teacher day after day, month after month and would sit at his feet basking in the Master’s instruction. The Master would always teach his disciple through stories. One day the disciple asked, "Master, why do you labor to teach me through stories; would it not be faster to teach me directly?" The teacher answered, "Bring me some water." Now the disciple knew his teacher to be a very formal and disciplined man. He had never asked for water at this time of the day. Nevertheless, he went immediately to fetch it. Taking a clean brass waterpot from the ashram kitchen, the disciple went to the well, filled the pot with water and returned. He offered it to his teacher who then spoke: "Why have you brought me a pot when I asked only for water?"

The power of a story
In those days, it was customary for all kings of the world, to meet annually for a three day convention. They would discuss the affairs of the world, their kingdoms, the threats of change, they would boast about the upcoming harvest, and of course exchange the latest gossip.

This year, India 's old king, Sheram, was planning a surprise. He had commissioned Sessa the Wise, to invent a magnificent devise. And so it happened, that on the last day of the convention, king Sheram appeared in the Great Hall, holding a mysterious wooden board under his arm, a small wooden box in his hand. The board was divided neatly in sixty-four squares, half of them white, every other one black.

What was he up to? Who in his right mind would stir up the last day's proceedings with such a nonsensical board? Chairman Brahman, King of Persia, took Sheram aside, and demanded to be informed. What was Sheram thinking, what was the meaning of this blatant disregard of protocol?

'I have a gift to share,' said Sheram. 'A fascinating and exciting secret gift. I would be very pleased if you, our distinguished Chairman, would be the first to accept my gift. However there a two small conditions. First of all, you must pay me one grain.'

One measly grain? thought Brahman. Sheram must be losing it in his old age. He agreed to the first condition at once. 'And what is the second condition?

'Secondly, I want you to share my gift with two others, after they agreed to the conditions. The grains you will pass on to me.'

Naturally, King Brahman agreed.

King Shiram's plan had succeeded. A year ago, Sessa the Wise had invented an exciting new game, which he called chess. As his reward, Sessa had humbly asked for one grain on the first square of the board, two on the second square, four grains on the third, eight on the fourth, and so forth, doubling the number of grains on each next square. At first, the king had been insulted. Such a small reward for such a wonderful invention. But Sessa the Wise remained adamant, and the king eventually accepted. Only later did his counsellors inform him how many grains Sessa was to receive as his reward: more than 18 trillion. More grains than the annual harvest of the entire world in those days.

By having Brahman agree to his conditions, Shiram had killed two birds with one stone. Not only could he pay Sessa's reward, but also he had ensured that soon, all citizens of the world would know about the invention of chess.