Our Future Shapers interview series features trailblazing individuals, organizations, and events that are re-imagining the boundaries of cultural experiences, entertainment and social interaction.  We look to find out what inspires each of them to be future-shapers, and makes them create new frontiers where others may only see boundaries.

In the appendix of my book ‘Slingshot’, I present a couple of ‘Radical Ideas’ on how to address two key, social issues with fresh approaches.  One issue is higher education, the other is how to re-integrate the homeless into society.  The premise behind my ‘Lifeline’ concept for the homeless is that with proper stimulus to regain their footing, the homeless can once again thrive and be valuable members of society.

Music is a quintessential playground for re-imagining boundaries. New genres are continuously created as musicians explore fresh combinations of influences, styles, and components. 

There is no limit to which product surrounding us can be re-imagined. It just takes curiosity to pinpoint what aspects should be re-imagined, creativity to figure out how, and the drive to make it happen.  In past articles I presented stories about such objects as dental floss, the wheelbarrow, the wheelchair, or the piano.  Here is the latest in the collection of re-imagined products: The backpack.

As put forth in my recent Harvard Business Review article, our Infatuation Interval Index (I-Cubed) is setting a new standard for decoding the customer experience.  As further indication, here is an interesting perspective on it, from the field of applied psychology.