Pop!Tech 2006: Dangerous Ideas

Juan Enriquez is a senior research fellow and director of the Harvard Business School Life Science Project. In 2001, Juan wrote ”Transforming Life, Transforming Business: The Life Science Revolution” (co-authored with Ray Goldberg) in The Digital Enterprise, for which he won a McKinsey Prize. He has authored over a dozen Harvard Business School case studies, as well as articles for Science,Foreign Policy,The New York Times, and Trends in Biotechnology.

from the Pop!Tech Wiki

The starts and stripes forever?

How many stars will be on the U.S.flag in 50 years? Jaun Enriquez isn't sure, but a long history shows that countries and flags change frequently. He suggest that America isn't immune, as some believe, from polarization and fracturing.

He illustrated the claim by calling up Maps of War (www.mapsofwar.com), which shows 5,000 years of Middle Eastern history in about 90 seconds. It's an incredible visual representation that shows just how quickly countries and borders, and therefore governments, come and go.

Juan identifies strong regional identities and belief systems as the biggest factors driving changes in borders. He suggests we watch modern-day established countries such as Italy and Spain, which are experiencing regional oppostion. He also says the wider the legitimacy gap between what a country and government promises and what it delivers (reality), the more quickly a country will disappear.

But it could naver happen here, in the United States of America, right?

Juan used the state of Texas as a case example of strong regionalism that exists in the U.S. Its state motto is "Texas: It's like another country." It has a state law that includes pledging the state flag. From beer to currency, Texas is proud to tout its nickname the Lone Star state. Texas has created autonomy of its own, says Juan. Sounds like a precuror to secession.

Another sign of regional winds of change in North America is illustrated by a map that depicts migration patterns of Mexicans into the south and west areas of the country. It's a pattern that resenles the historical migration and population of Mexico.

The current political debate is one of the most visible signs of polarization in the U.S. today says Juan. One side does not talk to the other. That's because we tend to surround ourselves with like-minded people only. And that is fundamentally wrong, says Juan.

What will America look like in 50 years? It depends on what we do today to act on the issues raised, says Juan.