Belonging and Optimization

I’ve long wanted to have this newsletter be open to other voices. I often say that futures thinking is a team sport, meaning all of us have talent and perspective to contribute. I’m always thrilled when all of you send emails, share comments, and participate in meetups. Your voice and imagination are always welcome .

If you’re in the United States, it’s likely that you’ve pored over polls, election returns and a variety of statistics that aim to predict the outcomes of the 2020 election. Although our present history is nervewracking, we cannot lose sight of the ways in which algorithms pervade our lives and livelihoods in increasingly complex ways. And more importantly, the rules and objectives of these algorithms do so much of the work in driving the outcomes they produce. We get what we optimize for.

I’m excited to share Part 1 of an interview with Elena Giralt, fellow Texan and fellow earth sign, reader of this newsletter featured in Issue #22, and someone eager to build better future of belonging. We talk about redefining optimization and new sources of value creation. I’d love to continue the conversation and hear your thoughts and insights.

Read more at https://belonging.substack.com/p/issue-34-optimization-and-belonging