David Bent
@davidbent
Founder: Atelier of What’s Next, a studio for initiatives at the frontier of generating a better future. Edmund Hillary Fellow. Hon Lecturer: UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources. Views own.
Paging the UK government, and Nato, and, well, everyone who has been an ally of the US. Friends don't let friends commit war crimes. Pass it on.
My good-faith challenge to de-/post-growth: exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/event-repo...
On the UK politics demonstrate the spine of a wet sponge and the intellect of one too on flags, racism, immigration & integration, I am excited to be working with folks on taking the fate of Britain back into our hands — where ‘our’ is drawn as wide as the brilliant people of brilliant Britain 1/2
'I never thought leopards would eat MY face,' sobs man who voted for the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party. Proof, if more proof were needed, that he is definitely and absolutely the smartest man in the world. x.com/elonmusk/sta...
Is it possible to agree more than 100%? If so, I agree 1,000% (at least) w @stephenkb.bsky.social’s piece.
EVENT REPORT: Good faith arguments against 'post-growth'. -Ecosystem thinking for a post-growth future. -Good faith arguments against: their responses, and my list. -New framings needed. exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/event-repo...
New Atelier of What's Next WeekNote for w/c 31 Mar: -How can a climate innovation hub deliver the most impact over the next 3-5 years? -Do MAGA hate Europe because they fear it can succeed? -Trump tariffs: careful what you wish for. exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/atelier-we...
WEEKNOTES for w/c 17 & 24 Mar 2025. 'CATALYST & ENABLER' MANAGEMENT -2025 Intentions -Job feedback INITIATIVES -Venture Partner,Conduit Connect 0/DETECTING -Trump as derailment _event_ -Rise of new religious practices and/or new religions? exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/atelier-we...
NEW WEEKNOTES WEEKNOTES w/c 10 Mar, covering: 0/DETECTING Operating in a world where Trump is setting the weather. ATELIER MANAGEMENT 2024 Results -Progress on the story I want to be able to tell. -Progress on KPIs. exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/atelier-we...
Today's prompt from the International Futures Forum (IFF): "Direction rather than plan." **DIRECTION RATHER THAN PLAN** To learn why these are vital, wise words, read this: davidbent.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/a... Subscribe to IFF Prompts here: www.internationalfuturesforum.com/do.php?m=mai...
NEW ATELIER POST. It has been a head-spinning & heart-stopping few weeks. I've not had a chance to produce a WeekNotes. Here is a talk I gave in 2019 which, amongst other things, says we cannot assume the US will underpin the global order any more. exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/holding-po...
Auckland’s Mardi Gras Rainbow Parade includes the police Scottish marching band. I guess, they wear skirts all the time anyway? Joshing aside, really good to see a strong presence from police and armed services in these culture war times.
WEEKNOTE for Atelier of What's Next for November and December. Apologies for the delay. This time: 0/DETECTING -Talk: Navigating a rapidly changing world. -Domineering finance: we missed the moment. exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/atelier-we...
Huge thanks to London Candles. I wanted to give people candles at a dinner for my late wife. But I realised late. The went out of their way to make sure I got the candles in time, even though it was a small order. www.londoncandles.uk/shop/ #appreciate
My Spotify Wrapped. Dominated by the music I work to, hence lots of instrumental, whether electronica, jazz, ambient, classical or low-key funk.
A panoramic (you’ll probably have to click for the full effect) a few minutes later.
Also David Runciman makes good points in LRB: Thiel is inspired by Ayn Rand & Robert Nozick’s Anarchy, State and Utopia; he relies on exploiting the state. The hippy-like front is just a front. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
#highlight impressed with the ambition & content of the Transition Plan Taskforce final report, esp the what’s next section. transitiontaskforce.net/wp-content/u...