How men can shape their future

Abstract

A 'wagon-train model' of pioneers moving into unknown country helps to illuminate the collective cybernetics of social goal-seeking and social change. The future is divided into an inertia period (of 2-10 years?), TI, followed by a choice-and-control period (of 10-20 years?), TC, followed by the uncertain future, TU. In the historical process of leadership and collective decision for the TC period, maps of alternatives with costs and benefits ('contour maps') are seen as important power sources and conflict reducers.