Who are your favourite content proxies?
- Thanks for your submissions. While models proposed by all teams are rendering now, let me transfer you to breakout rooms for a short icebreaker before we start the main part.
The space around him fades with a swirl while the virtual presence software loads a new room.
- Alright, everyone in room 21. Let's get started. Today’s icebreaker is a three-question quiz. We'll have extra time at the end for a recommendation share-out. Please raise both hands so the room can assign you your board.
A baroque painting frame with his name appears in front of him. He lowers his arms.
- Let me set the clock for two minutes, and let’s start. First question. Who are your favourite content proxies?
Relaxing instrumental music fills the room as he scratches his head. He waves at the facilitator while the first question appears on his frame with a countdown next to it.
- Excuse me, but I have no idea what content proxying is.
The music stops, and his frame turns semi-transparent, revealing other participants circling the facilitator.
- It’s like seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. I'm sorry, that was my idea. I have teenagers at home, and they do it all the time. It’s a kind of meta gossip in which people browse content platforms with the login credentials of famous people, such as celebrities, CEOs, athletes, actors, or artists.
- What you watch is as important as what you wear.
This cheeky guy from finance adds.
- What makes it interesting is that nothing is filtered. Media platforms pay superstars big money for that backstage access.
A woman from marketing with a brown cat on her lap continues.
- But it’s not just celebrities. Everyone, even your friends or family, can be your content proxy. With the growing oversupply of content, curating becomes as important as creating. All you need is their media tag.
He laughs uneasily.
- Maybe I’ve been a little too anti-social for a little too long.
The facilitator smiles at him, opening her arms with a welcoming gesture.
- No worries. Everything is a filler or an experience, depending on whether we do it alone or with others. For instance, food is just sustenance when you drink a protein shake during meetings, but it becomes an experience when you go out with friends. Riding in an autonomous car is annoying in traffic, but it gets bucket-list-worthy in a convertible on an island. The oversupply of choices broadens the contrast between the culture we experience together and the content that keeps us entertained.
- When I’m bored in the evening, I usually just select ‘Entertain me’.
- And it shows you content generated and optimised for you, not content created for a broad audience.
An instrumental jingle announces the last 30 seconds. Semi-transparent frames floating in front of everyone fade and disappear.
- And we’re at time. This was unexpected, but thank you for this conversation. Oh, look! Our model has been rendered! Let’s get back to it. It won’t fine-tune itself.
Hello Practical Futurists,
Welcome back from the future, where you can browse content platforms through someone else’s eyes.
Let's jump into our weekly practice, where we use futures thinking and product sci-fi to enhance your strategic imagination and prepare your leadership for the future.
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Start here to make the most of your time if this is your first
rodeoedition.
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Weekly Self-Reflection Prompts
Let's start by making products and services mentioned in the story a bit more relatable by grounding them in your personal life.
You can start with this quote for extra inspiration.
“The future is not a gift — it is an achievement.”
Albert Einstein
Personal life reflection prompts
Which two actors, scientists, or media personalities' content feeds would you like to peek into?
Do you keep a list of things to watch or decide on the spot when you have free time?
When was the last time you helped your loved ones improve their digital literacy and understand emerging technologies for their comfort?
How often does knowing that you have instant access to other options make you think you’re not making the most of your free time by watching your current selection?
Do you prefer qualitative recommendations from friends or colleagues or more quantitative ratings that show the “wisdom of crowds”?
Would easy access to recommendations from people you admire or trust influence how you choose your entertainment?
On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable would you be to share your media tag online?
Would virtual presence help you maintain more social relationships or make you feel more alienated?
What was the last content recommendation you gave to more than one person?
Ok. Let’s move on to the context of the industry, organisation, team, service, or product you are working with.
Professional life reflection prompts
Would virtual presence make professional networking harder or easier for you?
If your team meetings could be a movie franchise, which would it be?
Would your team's virtual presence setup use spatial metaphors like conference table, control room, or space station, or would it defer to defaults?
How can you encourage a recommendation-sharing culture to help your team share valuable ways to grow?
What movie or series is the most realistic depiction of your industry?
In what two ways could virtual presence alter decision-making in your organisation?
If you could pick any location for your virtual presence 1:1 meetings, what would it be?
What two cultural impacts has technology recently had on business practices in your industry, and how can you prepare your team to adapt to those changes?
Name two business leaders whose content consumption history and recommendations could inspire you.
And that's all for today.
Looking for more? Explore previous editions for extra inspiration.
Discover how teams like yours can use Practical Futures to build a forward-thinking culture that values continuous learning and helps new ideas thrive.
See you soon.
Pawel Halicki
Join strategic thinkers preparing to lead in the age of AI. Ten minutes a week is all it takes to start.
If you’re already enjoying Practical Futures, will you take 5 seconds to inspire a fellow leader?