Predicting Future Trends: How to Get Ahead of the Curve
Are you looking to stay ahead of the curve? Learn how to predict future trends with this helpful guide. Rule of thumb: if it's a talking point on Reddit, you're probably early. If it's a talking point on LinkedIn, you're definitely late. Study the directional arrows of progress and use trendlines to anticipate what's next. Don't wait for the media to inform you, as you'll either be wrong or too late.
George Mack
The 0.1% of ideas I think — or discover in rabbit holes. Get access to the best ideas I've found for free here: https://t.co/q33ixsFPbq
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14 thoughts on predicting future trends: pic.twitter.com/Rwx7ofEGtb
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023 -
Rule of thumb:
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
If it's a talking point on Reddit, you're probably early.
If it's a talking point on LinkedIn, you're definitely late. -
Study the directional arrows of progress.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
Every time computers get more powerful, smaller, and closer to our bodies.
You can use the trendlines to predict what's next.
(Hint - it's gonna be smaller, more powerful, and nearer your brain) pic.twitter.com/xtyOdsdgYU -
If you wait for the media to inform you, you'll either be wrong or too late.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
Historians now recognize the Roman Empire fell in 476 - but it wasn't acknowledged by Roman society until many generations later. -
If the media is building something or someone up - be ready for them to tear it down. pic.twitter.com/s4wZyBW7Nd
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023 -
If you're over the age of 25, assume your initial reactions about new trends are wrong until you've spoken to younger people.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023 -
"What the smartest people do on the weekends is what everyone else will do during the week in 10 years" - @cdixon
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
1. Get smart nerds as friends
2. Ask them what they're doing this weekend pic.twitter.com/k3zB716NBa -
Avoid the Overton Window.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
1. Don't judge past figures by what is acceptable today
2. Don't judge current figures by what is acceptable today
3. Instead, think from first principles
It's unlikely you're in the first-ever generation where the Overton Window doesn't update. pic.twitter.com/uLIkOWUYy1 -
Don't rely on algorithms.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
Have specific accounts you visit manually or create Twitter lists.
If they're predicting unpopular future topics, it's unlikely an algorithm will be rewarding the content. -
Mainstream topics are 6-12 months downstream of memes on Twitter, Reddit, and 4chan.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
Follow the memes. -
Avoid just reading about new trends. Get your hands dirty with hours of practical time.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
You'll spot things months and years before journalists as a result. -
Don't follow influencers.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
Follow the people that influence the influencers.
Get root access to the source materials. -
If you're mocked for what you're working on, it doesn't mean it's the future.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
But if nobody mocks you, it's not the future. -
Change your geography.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
The future isn't evenly distributed.
You can get on a 6-hour flight and move 6 years ahead.
If you can't move your physical geography, move your digital geography. -
If your smart friends tell you about a new idea, don't wait to understand it before you put a small bet on it.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
If you wait for society to educate you, you'll be too late. -
PS. If you enjoyed this, then you should join 25K+ people in my Clouds & Dirt newsletter.
— George Mack (@george__mack) April 3, 2023
Clouds = Theory / Big Questions
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