The document discusses how the world is changing rapidly and will continue to change exponentially. It notes that the global population has grown significantly from 1950 to today and is projected to continue growing. The workforce has shifted away from blue collar manufacturing jobs to more service-oriented jobs. New technologies are being developed at an ever-increasing pace, and many current jobs will be obsolete in the future. The document calls for communities to prepare for these changes by transforming how they think about economic development and building capacities for continuous innovation and collaboration.

1. Are you ready?

2. In 1950, there were 2.4 billion people in the world.

3. Today there are 6.6 billion .

4. By 2050, there will be 9.3 billion .

5. In 1950 , 41% of the U.S. workforce was blue collar.

6. Today, 11% work in direct manufacturing.

7. In 2015, 4-8 % will work in manufacturing.

8. By 2050 , the “Industrial Age” will be ancient history.

9. In 1950 , 60% of 25-54 year olds had no high school education.

10. Today , only 10% don’t have high school diplomas.

11. By 2050 , certification will be a thing of the past as each individual updates and tailors skills constantly.

12. As people search for knowledge not yet known.

13. And students prepare for a workforce whose jobs have not been created.

14. Are you ready for a world where . . .

15. Within ten years if you took every single job in the U.S. and shipped it to India . . .

16. India would still have a labor surplus

17. And highly skilled U.S. graduates . . .

18. Will emigrate – physically or virtually – to top positions all over the world.

19. Where 40% of the top jobs in 2017 will be based on technologies . . .

20. That did not exist in 2000

21. To solve problems that we don’t even know are problems yet.

22. Where global warming . . .

23. Will change climate . . .

24. Reduce biodiversity . . .

25. And increase the value of water as an economic asset . ( Northwest and the Great Lakes Region will have advantage)

26. Are you ready for . . .

27. The U.S. Hispanic population to almost double in size to 25% by 2050 (Already 15.1% in 2008 )

28. Becoming important to all states . . .

29. Because the U.S. birthrate of 1.6 for existing populations . . .

30. Would not replace an aging population without them . . .

31. Because those over 65 will be 20% of the population by 2030

32. Impacting all areas of society…

33. Are you ready?

34. To compete in a world where biotech will reshape the global economy…

35. Where individuals are connected worldwide in Global Innovation Networks.

36. As things we make and how we make them will be tied to programming life for specific purposes.

37. Will the Hickory Metro Area be ready?

38. To help businesses and associates . . .

39. Be competitive in a world of . .

40. Linked-In and Second Life

41. Twitter

42. Google Earth

43. And Networked Markets

44. Where suppliers can be changed overnight . . .

45. And knowledge workers can change employers . . .

46. Over lunch

47. Where social networking . . .

48. Will lead to “Trust Marketing”

49. Where there are over 64 million users of MySpace . . .

50. And if MySpace was a country, it would be the 21 th largest in the world (between France and Thailand )

51. Where the concept of “third place” work locations . . .

52. Will become common by 2013

53. And Japan will provide one gigabyte of broadband to all homes and offices by 2014

54. What will be needed . . .

55. For the Hickory Metro Area to thrive in such a future?

56. As the norm is transformed . .

57. From standard outcomes to continuous innovation

58. From industrial recruitment to building human creativity for a new type of collaborative entrepreneurship

59. From traditional models to transformational thinking

60. Where 90% of the factory workers left in 2013 will need post-secondary education

61. Are you ready . . .

62. To live in exponential times?

63. Where up to 50% of the technical knowledge learned in college is obsolete by graduation .

64. Where WikiNews has gone from 96 thousand hits per day in February 2005 . . .

65. To 221 million in Februrary of 2009 .

66. Where Google itself has over 2.7 billion hits per month.

67. Where the number of text messages sent and received each day exceeds the population of the planet.

68. Where “cloud computing” will allow you to have the capacity of supercomputers.

69. And more than 3,000 new books are printed and published electonically . . .

70. Daily

71. Where it is estimated that 40 exabytes (4.0 X 10 19 ) of new information will be generated worldwide this year.

72. In a time where mobile communications will provide a new platform for business.

73. And hand-held computers will allow citizens to be connected in new processes of decision making as “mobile governance” emerges.

74. Where genetic testing will be the basis for disease prevention and diagnosis.

75. And 23&me, Navigenics and DeCODEme will become as familiar as your local doctor.

76. What will be needed to prepare your region for such a world?

77. What change in thinking will be necessary?

78. What transformation in economic development will be required?

79. How will capacities for transformation be developed in people and organizations?

80. Shift Happens

81. Is the Hickory Metro Area ready?

82. To imagine a different future?

83. A future both exciting, challenging and uncertain?

84. Are you ready to be involved in a different kind of society?

85. A society more fast-paced, interconnected and complex?

86. It’s Time to Rethink What We Have Been Doing … …. and Act Boldly in New Ways Together!

87. Let’s get on with it!

88. Rick Smyre Center for Communities of the Future