At the end of his book The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Revolution, David Kusek (who will be joining us in August) and his coauthor Gerd Leonhard put forth six megatrends that they believe will affect the future of music. Since the authors say “knowing how to recognize a trend often leads to recognizing a specific opportunity that may result from it”, here they are for your contemplation:

The accelerating pace and scope of diversity – This trend seems a no-brainer as we are all experiencing its “unfettered, low cost, all-you-can-eat access” to information. However, the authors’ description of our media becoming less ‘push’ and more ‘pull’ is an interesting one to consider. Information consumers are more and more attracted to access that offers choice and control, less TV and more internet for example.

Changing paradigm of work and leisure – Here the authors claim that our society is moving up Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, leaving an emphasis on basic needs and entering the social interaction, acknowledgement, and self-realization realms. They see a growing emphasis on knowledge, arts, experiences, and emotions.

The unobtrusive expansion of technology – In order for a technological advancement to succeed it must be seamlessly coordinated with what people want. “Technology is actually adapting to people rather than the reverse”, and cell phones are becoming the supreme portable computing device.

The overload of information and media – Cell phones and other wireless devices will be major information distributors, the internet and filtering through its plethora of info will be taken for granted, and “what you pay attention to will completely replace the question of how you get access to it. It’s all about exposure and discovery.”

The surveillance society and concerns of privacy – The fear of surveillance and concern for secure interactions won’t go away any time soon.

Heart over brain – Leonard and Kusek see this trend as one that moves beyond the human brain’s ability to process information to the abilities of the human heart: experience, identity, aesthetics, esteem, impulse, emotions, impulse, and foresight. “Plain information must make a connection to the subliminal if it is to emerge as a meaningful contribution.”

It is worthwhile to consider these trends when thinking about the future of libraries. I’m interested in your thoughts about any of these.

Susan Tabor Boesch