23 Comments

What a fantastic thought experiment, Sophie. My answer is $300 billion (the amount estimated to be needed for global climate adaptation) plus $3.5 trillion (the investment needed to transition to clean energy) -- annually! In a world rife with challenges, addressing the threats to the natural ecosystem on which we and everything depends is foundational. So that would be my top priority.

Beyond this, I would love to help 10 people capture at least $2.9 billion each -- to advance education, women's rights, democracy and voting rights, economic inequality, access to healthcare, mental health and well-being for young people, overcoming racism and other forms of prejudice and discrimination, the arts, helping people recognize their potential to be positive changemakers, and the fostering of dialogue and understanding of differences and the absolute necessity of diversity in sustaining and strengthening every aspect of life.

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I love the ripple effect of the ten people capturing $2.9 billion each to made needed advancements in the spaces you listed, Lisa. Isn't it crazy that these are challenges that persist. Yet, with resources, strategic capability, and the right network of people, so much is possible when there is a democratisation of opportunity to solve th world's largest challenges. I love your work in the purpose space and am excited to watch its impact.

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I have realised recently that my major currencies are Love, Fulfilment, Knowledge and Connection. My ambition is to identify how to meaningfully measure love and grow love globally by MORE than GDP is forecast to grow within my lifetime. I am starting with the amount of love in my own life and my capacity to share love with the people I care most about.

And as a side effect, I would be thrilled to create and influence an economic ecosystem worth 0.1% of GDP growth!

(I blame and attribute all of this ambition to Sophie K and my late wife Fiona!)

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"My ambition is to identify how to meaningfully measure love and grow love globally by MORE than GDP is forecast to grow within my lifetime." What an ambition, Christopher! GDP is a human construct in a capitalist world, which inequality gaps and economic divides point to working more for the few than the majority. Interesting to consider love as a free commodity with network effects to multiply and expand when given the space to do so. Your work in this space is inspiring and I can't wait to see your work in this space make further, global impact.

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1. What amount of the projected increase in world GDP would you like to capture? What if you captured 0.001%, or more, of the projected US$219 trillion global economy in the next 25 years? This is US$2.19 billion.

Aim to capture US$5-10 billion into our ecosystem.

2. What would you do with this money? Would you bring a new or needed product or service into the world? Or, would you address a problem?

Every human has a unique, powerful intelligence that can contribute to the world. But this potential is untapped in our status-quo systems, and people are living unfulfilled lives. With the advent of AI, we now have a historic opportunity to evolve human intelligence, skills and performance to the next level, give people autonomy over their own futures and reinvent the "game" of careers, work and education.

This is a critical need at this time.

Our vision is to create an active ecosystem of humans + AI interacting via the competitive principles of sport. This is the "game" within which individuals find their "ikigai" / purpose and develop excellence, and where organizations become dynamic and intelligent. This is key infrastructure for generation of a future economy based on the game principles of autonomy, performance and connectness.

3. What else is possible? How would you help 10 other people to capture at least US$2.19 billion each as the global economy grows? What could you do together with this newly acquired shared power?

Our partners take our approach into the key global sectors that need change (education, technology, government, finance etc.) and create the ventures within / on top of our ecosystem that work with the particular needs of those global communities. This "cabal" will be a transformative catalyst for the global economy with wide-ranging positive impact on the lives of billions of people.

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"Every human has a unique, powerful intelligence that can contribute to the world. But this potential is untapped in our status-quo systems, and people are living unfulfilled lives." Love this, Shourov! And, the clarity of your vision to solve this problem. And, what you are building to bring your vision into the world.

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I think that the 'roadmap' that you are proposing will not help. We have to move away from the GDP altogether, not focusing on economical growth but growth of qualities for all. How: well we live in a world that invented crypto currencies and maybe in that sphere we may be able to create a new world that starts slowly but can explode given the younger generations. Our youngsters live in anxiety according to the study of Jonathan Haidt: The Anxious Society. Creating hope for and with them, new leaders will emerge and lead the world to a paradigm shift that will make the current economics obsolete. Since the invention of modern economy, the modern economy, characterized by industrialization, the rise of capitalism, and the development of global trade networks, took shape in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A lot of things flourished, created new things, invented stuff and brought that to markets (at least those who could and can pay for it). Lives, in general, improved, yet the sunk, firstly gradually then suddenly, to a level of crisis management that can't be managed by doing the things that we did yesterday. That what we did yesterday is based on economic principles that we embraced the day before yesterday with leaders (most of them MBA graduates) educated on these principles... To change that will bounce back on the walls of the colonization of codes of capital, construed during the last ages and still valid. The only way to change that, including leadership, is to design new principles that makes the exiting one obsolete. We 'forgot' to take ownership of nurturing what is our one and most precious thing: mother earth!

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Thanks so much for your comments, Paul! Your work in this space is valuable and I love learning from you. This Thought Experiment is not intended to be a roadmap - rather a framework for people to think bigger or differently about a hypothetical situation. I agree that the capitalist, winner-takes-all, zero-sum, nature of our economy is ripe for disruption. I'm inspired and motivated by people thinking and dreaming bigger, to open up win-win, positive-sum possibility. I find that this activity tends to be smoother to get all on board when it is based upon the existing factors of the world - what does the world look like right now - even though these factors may eventually become part of the plan of what to create next, needed, better alternatives. There is much to fix and I love that people get to choose their own pathway when they connect with their purpose.

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I am not sure about the economics. All I envisage is that the money is best used in the hands of young women in the slums of India, Indigenous peoples of North America, Elders and Chiefs in the Pacific Islands and other marginalised folx - to be put in the hands of people who don't have a seat at the political and economic table as in an equitable seat. These are the best people equipped with the answers of what the world needs and how to address problems particuarly problems that affect them and their communities. I vision a space where people from walks of life, no not politicals and economists, everyday people with the power and ability to dream and problem solve, coming together to identify problems and solutions and that we would ideate test and choose ones to seed fund from a global pool of funds.

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Winitha - what a vision: "All I envisage is that the money is best used in the hands of young women in the slums of India, Indigenous peoples of North America, Elders and Chiefs in the Pacific Islands and other marginalised folx - to be put in the hands of people who don't have a seat at the political and economic table as in an equitable seat." Voice and vision play a key role, right! And, I love your work in this space to bring both to people who otherwise don't have either. Can't wait to see your message spread further as you embark on your global speaking tour.

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My wish is to stimulate growth in emerging markets, particularly for the approximately 4 billion people at the bottom of the economic pyramid who currently have very limited access to opportunities. I'm unsure whether this effort would account for more or less than 0.001% of projected global GDP growth. However, I'm curious whether providing these 4 billion individuals with the opportunities to grow and contribute—which can give the next generation a better chance to thrive—would lead to a more equitable distribution of power and further increase projected global GDP.

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Imagine if the 4 billion people at the bottom of the economic pyramid did have economic opportunity to thrive - love that as a thought experiment, Elaine! There is so much to unpack - including the power that would be diluted in the status quo, and the power that would emerge in a more distributed way, across more places and faces. I agree, it would make sense that multiplier effects would kick in - when the shift goes from controlling resources, power, and wealth, to creating new products, services, and businesses - resulting in further increased GDP (or whatever measure may replace this in the future). Excited to see what you do in the purpose space next, Elaine. There is much work to do, right!

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I often wonder if I am thinking big enough, and this is an exellent opportunity to expand that process. My background is in person-centric and for those without a voice. I find myself wondering what I could do to lift our society view on the stigma around mental health and wellbeing.

Know that we spend a mere 1.34% of our health budget on prevention strategies, but 7.5% of our health spend is on mental health. We can do better in prevention, because even though we spend three times the global average in treatment, it still isn't nearly enough. The value is in prevention. This also offers the best hope for economies that cannot afford propoer or decent treatments.

What would I do with $1.2 Billion? Resesarch funding, access to better care, support for children and adolescents, critical crisis intervention are all really valuable, noble and deserving causes, but I believe the future lies in prevention. And in lifting and improving society's embracing of these issues.

Is $1.2B enough?

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This is shocking, Mark: "we spend a mere 1.34% of our health budget on prevention strategies, but 7.5% of our health spend is on mental health." I take it that this is for Australia, and some countries may have less health budget spend. I love your work in prevention space, Mark. And, it follows the big tech investment and products in illness prevention - there is money to be made in scalable business models that keep people healthy. Great question - is $1.2B enough? The investment into healthcare by big tech indicates what they believe the market opportunity is.. We need to talk :)

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Hi Sophie, ironically, talking about the health budget I spent the last week recoveing from covid (again!). Yes those prevention stats are for Australia - about half to a third compared to silimar territories (NZ, UK, US, Canada etc). Our spend on mental health treatment is three times the global average of 2-2.5% (so, apples and oranges comparisons) and still woefully inadequate to comprehensively deal with prevailing issues (which represent 14% of so of disability life years lost).

Interestingly, 30% of the health budget is spent in managing the last six months of life. Not saying we shouldn't do that, but what would a greater prevention strategy do? And don't get me started on investing in homelessness solutions!

Yes, let's talk!!

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Staggering figures. Let's talk!

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Discovering the world of innovation and its power has widened my view of the world - what's best working, lacking and can be considered an opportunity in different areas of the world we live in. It has also ignited my passion for building and supporting potential young leaders wherever I work, live or visit.

Capturing that US$2.19 billion, I would utilize this by giving platforms to the unheard problem solvers of small communities and bringing it to main stage to address bigger problems of the world. I believe everyone has the ability to change the world, but not everyone has equal amounts of opportunities given to them. There are people in my country (Philippines) who are already addressing world problems (agriculture, transportation, water shortages, education, etc.), but solutions not put out into the global platform because of the lack of opportunities given to them. I do know that this situation not only happens in the people of my country but also in the different parts of the globe.

Imagine utilizing this big amount of money simply by starting with the SENSE OF SUPPORT to these kinds of people. Bringing them together and streamlining their solutions, would not only answer the world's problems but uncover new ones to solve and generate the best solutions. This will be a domino effect of producing emerging problem-solvers and helping the economies grow more.

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"I believe everyone has the ability to change the world, but not everyone has equal amounts of opportunities given to them." This is so true, Jeffrey! I love how you have broadened your professional experience in the innovation space and what you can do to democratise opportunity. We know that we need to 'fall in love with the problem' to do our best work and build products, services, and businesses that positively impact millions or billions of people. You, based in a lower-middle-income country, know the problems and are driven to do something about it. That drive, innovation skillset, possibility-led mindset, and a global network are powerful forces that others can't compete with. Excited to watch the work you do in this space in the future!

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I am fascinated by the potential of synthetic biology (synbio) in decarbonization, which has driven me to pursue initiatives in this field. With the synbio market projected to reach nearly US$120 billion by 2032, it is poised to significantly contribute to the global economy in the next 25 years. Capturing even 0.001% of the projected US$219 trillion global economy, equivalent to US$2.19 billion, would enable me to fast-track the development of synbio applications in climate tech and renewable energy—two areas I am deeply passionate about.

With this substantial resource, I would focus on advancing technologies that address critical environmental challenges, such as reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the transition to clean energy. This investment would support scientists, experts, engineers, and leaders worldwide in collaborative efforts to tackle these global problems. While some may focus on terraforming Mars and spending billions to relocate humanity, I would channel these resources into funding studies and ventures aimed at healing and revitalizing our planet.

Furthermore, I would extend this impact by helping 10 other individuals capture at least US$2.19 billion each. By establishing a mentorship program and forming strategic alliances, we could leverage our combined expertise and resources. Together, we would undertake large-scale projects that address global challenges, ensuring that our collective financial power drives significant, sustainable change. Our shared vision would focus on creating a resilient and thriving Earth, turning our collective ambition into real-world solutions that benefit humanity and the environment. #NourishingTheWorld

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Rey, I love how your vision just gets clearer over time, having been on part of the journey with you to match your mission with a problem that needs solving, and the right tech and business model to do it. This: "While some may focus on terraforming Mars and spending billions to relocate humanity, I would channel these resources into funding studies and ventures aimed at healing and revitalizing our planet" is pure fire! And, I love it. With compelling win-wins, key is to continue the leadership pathway to make this happen. #NourishingTheWorld

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2. Utilising US$2.19 Billion

With US$2.19 billion, I would focus on addressing critical global challenges through technological innovation and sustainable development. Specifically, I would:

Invest in Sustainable Manufacturing: By leveraging advancements in green technologies, I would aim to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. This aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Enhance Cybersecurity for SMEs: Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vulnerable to cyber attacks. Investing in robust cybersecurity measures can protect these businesses and their employees, fostering economic stability and growth. This is crucial as we strive to achieve Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Promote Education and Skills Development: Investing in education, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), is essential for preparing the workforce of the future. This supports Goal 4 (Quality Education).

3. Helping Others Capture Economic Opportunities

To help 10 other people capture at least US$2.19 billion each, I would:

Create Collaborative Networks: Establish networks where entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders can collaborate, share resources, and leverage each other's strengths. These networks would foster innovation and drive collective success.

Provide Mentorship and Resources: Offer mentorship programs and provide access to capital, tools, and knowledge necessary for scaling businesses. This could involve setting up incubators and accelerators focused on high-impact sectors like renewable energy, healthcare, and digital transformation.

Champion Policy Advocacy: Work with governments and international organizations to advocate for policies that support business growth, innovation, and sustainable development. By shaping a favourable regulatory environment, we can create conditions that allow businesses to thrive.

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Love this comprehensive vision, Shane! This would be incredibly valuable: "Establish networks where entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders can collaborate, share resources, and leverage each other's strengths. These networks would foster innovation and drive collective success." Knowing that you are a builder of connections and commercial outcomes - I'm curious how you would start and start to build momentum with this. My mind goes to - how to incubators and accelerators fall short? And, how is open innovation not yet fully leveraged in this space to be a key driver? Would love to hear your thoughts!

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The winner of the (Global) Thought Experiment Thursday is Shourov Bhattacharya. I'll be in touch to post you the book 'Super Thinking: Upgrade Your Reasoning and Make Better Decisions with Mental Models' by Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann.

Congratulations, Shourov!

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