I respawned your favourite shirt
- How was your trip?
He releases her from a comforting hug.
- It was okay, I guess. Some minor delays and a little bit of traffic. Nothing unusual.
- Good. Slippers are under the mirror.
- Dad, I lived here.
- I know, I know, it’s just so nice to see you. Let me take your jacket.
He freezes while he helps her.
- Holy guacamole! What is that?
- What do you mean?
- What are you wearing?
- Oh, this. I respawned your favourite shirt.
- This brings back so many memories.
- I can imagine. It was all over your old photos.
- I got it years ago on this crazy cheap networking vacation for freelancers. I can’t remember which city it was, but we slept in a tiny room under the piano. One morning, forgetting where we were, I got up rapidly and headbutted the piano so hard I almost passed out. The noise was so loud that our host knocked, opened the door, and asked, disappointed, why we hadn’t told him we could play the piano.
She grins while putting on fluffy, pink slippers.
- That sounds very much like one of your stories.
- Can I treat you to some lemonade that’s getting warm in the garden?
- Only if it’s face-twisting sour.
- I’ve set sour to legendary.
They cross the room and exit through the garden door to sit at a table on the porch. Ice cubes cling and crack as he pours her a glass of lemonade.
- Did you use our old photos to recreate it?
- Not really. The process is rather automatic. You plug in a camera roll, and AI looks for frequently appearing items. Then, you select the person for whom you’d like to respawn this particular piece. It calculates measurements comparing the selected individual with other objects, and that’s it. Just like print on demand but for old clothes.
He takes a long look at the horizon.
- I think I know what I will be doing later tonight.
- Where is Mum?
- She’s watching goats graze at our friends.
She chokes lightly on lemonade.
- Goats? Like grass-eating goats?
- The real thing. Our robo-mover works great, but we have a lot of shrubs and bushes, so the blades wear off really fast. Starting this year, you get extra credit from the council if you keep your lawn overgrown during summer for extra water retention and to attract pollinators and small birds.
- And mum loves birds and butterflies as much as extra savings…
- You bring in the goats once the grass is over a certain height. She wanted to check in person how it works before we try it.
- Nothing left to chance.
- She’ll be back any minute now. How is work?
- Fine, I guess. No groundbreaking changes to report. At least not in the world of interior design for mixed realities. It’s a standard, evergreen mix of tropical islands, spaceships and châteaus.
- No interesting projects or clients recently?
- I’ve been getting more requests for custom meeting rooms. Apparently, as more and more people date and interview in mixed realities, many are willing to pay big bucks for a space that represents who they are. Suddenly, everyone needs an interactive environment that encapsulates their achievements, passions, and dreams while giving the people they meet multiple potential conversation starters.
- The old “I will judge you by your bookshelf” has become “I will judge you by your background.” Our mums were always right. It’s all about that first impression.
Gently repeating vibrations of his watch prompt her to ask.
- She’s back?
He smiles widely.
- No, she’s baaahhh-ck.
She eye rolls him as the terrace door slides open.
Hello Practical Futurists,
Welcome back from the future, where old photos bring back memories and brand-new clothes.
Let's jump into our weekly workout, where we use futures thinking and product sci-fi to enhance your strategic imagination and prepare your leadership for the future.
Weekly Self-Reflection Prompts
Let's start by making products and services mentioned in the story more relatable by grounding them in your personal life. You can start with this quote for extra inspiration.
“The future is made of the same stuff as the present.”
Simone Weil
Personal life reflection prompts
If you could respawn 3 items from old photos or videos for your loved ones to keep and enjoy, what would they be?
What non-monetary incentives could convince your household to follow seasonal sustainability guidelines?
Learning about which 2 things could help you change your mind after a negative first impression about someone you meet?
Does feeling nostalgic make you happier about where you are today or unfulfilled compared to your past plans?
What 2 types of sentimental items beyond clothing would you consider respawning from your past, and why?
Good work!
Let’s move on to the context of the industry, organisation, team, service, or product you are working with.
Professional life reflection prompts
What is your industry's most famous low-tech solution to a high-tech problem?
What is the best networking advice for introverted or inexperienced professionals?
In your current organisation, would the booming market for mixed reality meeting rooms be more attractive for improving client interaction or team collaboration?
What is the best networking advice for introverted or inexperienced professionals?
What’s your battle-tested trick for a strong first impression in an online meeting?
Describe your personal meeting room for a high-profile leadership interview. Which 5 specific elements would you display to reflect your identity, achievements, or aspirations?
In what two ways could nostalgia have business potential in your industry?
Name 2 colleagues from your career that you’d love to have on your team today. What makes them such unforgettable collaborators?
You did great!
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Thank you for expanding your imagination with us. Leaders with bold ideas move our world forward.
Think bright, and see you soon.
Pawel Halicki
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