Your teeth are rendering now
- Despite decades of progress, dental chairs are one of the least comfortable things in the universe. Or maybe I’m just stressed out?
The dentist proceeds, ignoring his comments.
- Okay, this should take less than a minute. We will set up the retractor and ask you to hold still for the scan. If it's more comfortable, you can close your teeth on the scanner.
- Dentists always take smiling for the camera to another level. Ok, I’m ready.
A pair of hands expertly sets a retractor in his mouth while he closes the teeth on the scanner. The room lighting switches to an ambient blue mood, comforting the patient by signalling the time to the end of the procedure. The machine buzzes while the walls slowly fade from deep blue to natural light. His favourite whale soundscape complements the effect.
- Thank you. Your teeth are rendering now.
Freed from the retractor, he wipes his face and returns to masking stress with more jokes.
- I always thought that the caries mRNA vaccine would kill your business.
- In the beginning, it was a toughie, a real puzzler. Everyone worried, and the impact was significant, but eventually it led to improved aesthetic norms and more people taking care of their smiles. Also, the space is a blessing for us.
- How exactly?
- Our teeth are constantly responding to forces. In variable-gravity environments, the forces acting on teeth change dramatically. The tongue's pressure, jaw muscle tension, and even speaking patterns change with gravity, leading to unpredictable tooth movement patterns.
- And this is why I feel pain?
- Yes. Some patients experience discomfort, and others even pain. Okay, your model is ready. We’ll print you a pair of GraviBites now. Is your pAPI synced with our system?
- Yes, this is how I registered for the visit.
- Great. Your blueprint is linked. Use your API anytime you need to print spares.
- Thank you.
- Now, your mouthguard is gravity-adaptive based on your environment. It will help adjust tension based on your travel schedule. The more you wear it, the faster the transition. What’s your current health profile?
- I’m still Earth-primary.
- Insurance providers often want gravity logs before covering further treatment if you’re Earth-primary but plan to work in orbit soon.
She waves a gesture, updating his profile.
- I set it up for you. If you end up hired up there, remember to optimise your profile for space. Do you have any questions?
He looks at the printer humming down after finishing the print job.
- Do I need to charge it or something?
The doctor takes the mouthguard and disinfects it.
- No, it’s powered up a little every time you clench your teeth on it. Here, try it on.
He tests his new GraviBites, twisting his face in exaggerated facial expressions funny enough to make the dentist smile.
- How does it feel?
The mouthguard catches the office lights shining as he grins.
- Berffekh fith.
- In that case, you're all set. Fingers crossed for the interview.
- Thanksh. At leashed my shmile can nuw handhle the gravidy of any shituashion.
Hello Practical Futurists,
Welcome back from the future where personal APIs replaced documents, but your smile is more valuable than ever.
This is Practical Futures, where we help professionals build a future-ready mindset for the age of AI not through vague trends or speculative stats but through relatable products and services we might be using in the next few years.
Hit the "Like" button at the top or bottom of this page to help other change-makers build a future-ready mindset.Great leaders practice experiencing the future, not just thinking about it.
Like athletes visualising their performance, they build vivid mental pictures of tomorrow to make better decisions today.
Our weekly workouts use futures thinking and practical sci-fi to help you create a library of future memories - turning abstract possibilities into reference points that can inform your choices.
To spark your imagination, here's a thought to start with:
Let's make this future personal.
We'll start by connecting this story to your life, transforming abstract possibilities into memories you can use to navigate tomorrow's challenges.
Personal life reflection prompts
1. When adaptation becomes automated, what new forms of scarcity emerge? What becomes valuable when comfort is guaranteed?2. What data would make your personal API (pAPI) most valuable for daily services?3. Think back to setting up your first personal API (pAPI): - What services did you connect first? - How did seamless data sharing change your daily routines? - When did the benefits outweigh your initial privacy concerns? - What unexpected uses emerged over time?
4. How would you maintain the capacity for productive discomfort and growth through challenge in a world of preventive optimisation?5. What 3 daily tools would you want to adapt to changing environments automatically?Good job!
Your future memory library now has some valuable personal references. Let's fire up your thinking to add some professional leadership moments.
How will you help others navigate this future? It's time to create those memories.
Professional life reflection prompts
1. How would you maintain capacity for productive failure when organisational risk prevention is automated?2. In what 2 ways could personal APIs change service delivery in your organisation?3. Try to recall your first API-native team: - How did automated data sharing change collaboration? - What unexpected efficiencies emerged? - When did real-time adaptation become crucial? - How did you maintain human connection?
4. How might continuous adaptation change the nature of strategic planning? What replaces traditional competitive moats?5. How does preventive optimisation change the relationship between expertise and automation? What new forms of expertise might emerge as traditional problems get prevented rather than solved?You did amazing! Excellent work!
Today's memories are added to your growing library of future experiences.
Thank you for expanding your imagination with us. Leaders with bold ideas move our world forward.
Think bright, and see you soon.
Pawel Halicki
Need more inspiration for the performance review season?
Try this story exploring a future where performance reviews were replaced by performance previews.
Or another future where top performers' annual reviews are streamed as entertainment.
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