Vision 2027
Diversion
“Vision 2027 focuses on the idea of diversion. It seeks to uncover the shifts, the turns, and the interesting and unexpected diversions that point in new directions. ”
History shows that societies tend to follow a cycle of rise, peak, and decline. Periods of abundance can create a false sense of security, leading to complacency and the neglect of systemic issues. Unchecked dynamics can exacerbate social divides, erode trust, and set the stage for future instability or collapse. Cultural and ideological shifts often bring about competing priorities, values, and worldviews that can create tension within a society.
The cycles of society highlight the importance of learning from history to better navigate the future. While patterns provide a framework for understanding potential trajectories, they also offer opportunities for innovation and growth. By recognizing the stages of these cycles, societies can proactively address challenges, foster resilience, and potentially chart new paths. Business as usual can mask the systemic challenges that need urgent focus.
We are living through a paradigm shift; while history often rhymes, it doesn't necessarily repeat. A deeper understanding of historical patterns may allow societies to break negative cycles or adapt more effectively.
Diversion is an invitation to look with a longer perspective to the world and humanity, an extended perspective to shift focus, thoughts and energy. It challenges the simplifications of binary thinking and opens up space for nuance, complexity and the stacking of ideas, culture and opinions.
In our personal lives, energy and attention management and self-preservation are not just priorities; they are essential for resilience and resistance, aligning us with our values.
Diversion invites us to see the world as textured and multifaceted, full of possibilities for learning, questioning, and discovery. In an age shaped by algorithms, polarization, and instant judgment, an appreciation for diversion serves as a counterbalance to forces that oversimplify the complexity of our shared reality. It asks us to look beyond it, seeking understanding and connection, and to engage and drive progress and transformation.
The divide created by politics, the power of money, the technological economy, growing uncertainty, and climate impact is creating a disconnect between systems and society. Emerging counter-movements focus on authenticity, meaning, connection, and our shared humanity. It can feel like human progress is stagnating and that we are going backwards on many fronts.
Vision 2027 is a roadmap for businesses to stay relevant in a world that is changing faster than most of us can keep up. As artificial intelligence and technological disruption reshape fundamental societal structures, businesses must develop nuanced strategies that balance innovation with human-centered approaches.
Environmental challenges are immediate operational realities, and organizational redesign must consider planetary constraints and seek pragmatic solutions. In an era of deep societal fragmentation, businesses have the opportunity to create connection through genuine dialogue and the intentional cultivation of diverse perspectives. This means creating environments that value and integrate different cognitive and human approaches. The most resilient companies will be those that can transform structural challenges into opportunities for meaningful reinvention.
Vision 2027 focuses on the idea of diversion, it seeks to reveal the shifts, the twists, the interesting and unexpected diversions that point in new directions. It is through diversion that we find new ways, tapping into the energy of shared human creativity, where individual and collective ideas amplify and transform the future path.
Oltmans van Niekerk
Four Drivers of Change
Vision 2027 focuses on the idea of diversion. It is an interpretation of the shifts and an exploration of unexpected turns that point in new directions. The four directions of Vision 2027 respond to the growing divide caused by systems that simplify, accelerate, and amplify contrasts. These systems, as they operate on their own, tend to overlook the nuanced connections that hold our world together.
1/ Beyond the Horizon
Beyond the Horizon explores the widening gap in the global economy and its effects on societal cohesion. It highlights the erosion of democracy, emphasizing the return of class consciousness and the challenges of populism and misinformation. Shifts in societal norms around gender roles, media dynamics, and young people’s evolving values and priorities lead to new value systems. It underscores the need for systemic change, media literacy, and community-focused approaches to foster equity, trust, and resilience.
2/ Roots of Renewal
Roots of Renewal looks at the systemic failures delaying climate action and how they stem from outdated models of growth and consumerism. It emphasizes reconnecting with nature as essential for fostering resilience and harmony between humanity and the environment. Community well-being, personal autonomy, and health are the notions of care. The limitations of ecological systems guide a life where freedom and opportunities emerge when humanity works in harmony with the environment.
3/ A New Kind of Freedom
Rediscovering meaning, creativity, and imagination is an act of rebellion and freedom. Irony is a tool for reflection, engagement, and a deeper understanding of the contradictions within society, language, and life. A countermovement is emerging as a response to the interconnected crisis and the loss of shared understanding. This shift encourages us to have more honest conversations, embracing complexity and nuance. It challenges the growing divide, pushing for a return to open, critical thinking, real emotions, and genuine engagement with the world.
4/ The Power of One
The transformative impact of AI has multiple dimensions, including the rise of autonomous AI agents, the evolution of human-AI interaction. It emphasizes how the integration of AI will create shifts in work patterns, leading to a rethinking of education, personal development, and how value is created in society. In an increasingly automated world, human autonomy, layered skills and the ability to create and connect on a deeper level will be important. The tension between AI’s binary control and the complex, nuanced nature of humans reflects this struggle for personal autonomy.
“There’s no single answer that will solve all of our future problems. There’s no magic bullet. Instead, there are thousands of answers-at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be.”
Octavia E Butler
Vision 2027 Deep Dives
July 2025- Wellbeing & the Future
November 2025- Tomorrow's Generations
August 2025- Sports & Sustainability
December 2025- Nostalgia Forever
Wellbeing & the Future provides insights into fostering resilience and balance, addressing the intersection of mental health, sustainability, and community-driven initiatives.
Sports & Sustainability focuses on addressing environmental challenges and creating positive impact. Sustainability is shaping the future of sports culture.
Tomorrow's Generations takes a global perspective on shifting demographics, exploring the younger generations in an aging world.
Technology & Us explores the evolving relationship between humans and technology, focusing on its impact on society, human behaviour, values and identity.
Publishing schedule
Vision Insights 2027
Index
The Shifts