Global Interaction through Technology

The concept of a global mind/soul or working global community is strongly tied with the vision of increasing global interaction through technological inter-mediation tools. This involves the ongoing expansion of the type of spaces where digital technology can help us live our lives more fully …thus acting as a counter-force to the continuing growth of non-connective transitory experiences such as air travel, commuting, impersonal commerce and passive mass entertainment.

This presentation identifies coming developments in digital technology that can nurture shared interests and new and innovative communities – if the vision is there. Coming digital technology may enrich/connect or it may fragment global consciousness, especially if the have/have-not issues surrounding access to enabling technology are not effectively addressed. The functioning of a Global Mind/Soul can be understood through the concepts of health and behavior – and the path of its development will be strongly influenced by understanding the relevant technology trends and policy options.

Bio: In June of 2004, Tim Mack assumed the Presidency of the World Future Society, which has been the leading organization in the foresight field for 40 years. For the past 20 years, he also edited Futures Research Quarterly , the oldest and best respected professional journal in futures studies.

Like the field of foresight itself, Mr. Mack's background is both extensive and inclusive. Trained as an attorney, he has been a member of the New York and District of Columbia bars since the 1970s and has served as General Counsel for a number of non-profit groups involved in trend analysis, social dynamics and public policy. After holding policy research positions at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the National Academy of Sciences, Tim Mack joined the Budget Policy Task Force at the US General Accounting Office, which serves as the analytical agency for the US Congress.

This background allows him to combine public policy analysis with the hands-on trends experience he received working as a consultant for private companies and associations struggling with the social and technology issues challenging modern society. During this period, he published a large number of articles on technology, economic and social trends, and assisted numerous high technology start-up companies that had developed solutions for pressing communications, financial, environmental and energy problems.

As a change management consultant for the US Government, Tim Mack has assisted the US General Services Agency and the US Dept of Defense in developing strategic planning and change management strategies for such challenges as privatization of public services, superfund clean up and transportation planning. He has worked at the global arena with clients on each continent and served as leading policy and technology trainer for the Institute for Global Chinese Affairs (ranked Number One three years running by the Foreign Experts Bureau in Beijing ).

This wide-ranging experience has provided him extensive subject area background concerning trends in such areas as communications, financial services technology, electric power reliability, and civil engineering. Mr. Mack has testified as an expert witness before the White House Conference on Small Business and is presently writing a book on the social and economic impacts of the Internet on modern society.