Code Red by Red Swan

“Predictions are extremely difficult, especially when they concern the future”, Winston Churchill once said.

And yet, every year, as December rolls around, we’re buried under a flood of predictions from experts and self-proclaimed gurus. It’s that season again. But how do we make sense of it all—and what should we do instead to kick off the new year with real success?

"But aren’t you a futurist?" some of you asked me in the past when I criticised future predictions.

No I am not, and I’ll tell you why.

Trying to predict the future with data, AI, the intestines of sacrificed animals or the weird spells of drugged-up alleged virgin priestesses implies a belief in a deterministic future.

I don’t buy that.

Because I don’t think the future is set yet.

We can shape it together with our fellow humans.

The Good News

The future is, and remains, volatile and uncertain; otherwise, it would not be called the future but the past.

But that is also the good news about it.

It means that the future has not yet been decided. It means we can still shape it. Anything else would be incredibly boring and would also contradict our free will.

It’s neither possible nor desirable to eliminate the uncertainty of the future. We simply have to learn to deal with it in a different way:

Let’s spend less time on forecasts of a deterministic future and devote more time to shaping a desirable one.

Because “the best way to predict the future is to create it.”

As Abraham Lincoln (or whoever, it’s attributed to several leaders) put it so beautifully.

And that’s what I am all about:

Creating the future, not predicting it.

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👉 Hit subscribe for more unfiltered discussions about the intersections of technology, art, and humanity here on Spotify, Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗And don't forget to join the Code Red Substack community at coderedbyredswan.substack.com. We love to see you there! ♥️

👇Let us know in the comments: What do you think about future predictions?

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🎬Video concept by the fabulous Red Swan Chief Creative Officer Xaver Kettele.

♬Music: Audiojungle

Perfect imperfection: In this episode of Code Red: Technology, Madness, and the Future of Humanity, Chris Kalaboukis and I discuss the wild, unpredictable world of AI creativity. 

Sometimes, creative AI tools like Midjourney or Runway have the audacity to flat-out ignore our precise prompts, dismiss our carefully crafted wishes, and mock our desires by producing something entirely different. 

It’s enough to make any control freak’s blood boil. But unintended results can ignite a spark of unexpected creativity. Could it be that AI isn’t just a tool we wield, but a creative partner with a mind of its own? Instead of merely using it, are we co-creating with it, allowing its quirks and defiance to push us into new artistic realms?

🎙️ Join us as we explore real-world examples and personal experiences that challenge the way we think about AI's role in creativity.

🚨 Key points:
→ AI’s Creative Rebellion: Why tighter control often leads to defiance.
→ Co-Creation vs. Tool: The case for treating AI as a creative partner, not just a machine.
→ Lean Prompts, Big Ideas: How less direction leads to richer, more inspired outcomes.
→ Copyright Question: Should AI-generated art belong to its creators—or everyone?

👉 Hit subscribe for more unfiltered discussions about the intersections of technology, art, and humanity.

And don't forget to join the Code Red Substack community at coderedbyredswan.substack.com. We love to see you there! ♥️

👇And let us know in the comments: Is AI’s defiant creativity a valuable partner or an annoying problem?

🎬Video concept & editing by the fabulous Red Swan Chief Creative Officer Xaver Kettele. ♬Music: Audiojungle

"Scrum masters and hackathon enthusiasts will hate us."

In this episode of Code Red - Technology, Madness, and the Future of Humanity, Red Swan CEO Ursula Eysin and former Head of IP Innovation at Yahoo, Chris Kalaboukis, dive deep into the age-old question: Why can't AI handle our everyday chores yet? From robots that can’t set the table or do the laundry to AI taking over white-collar jobs, we explore the irony that AI seems to replace the people who deemed themselves irreplaceable, not the ones they looked down on.

And don't forget to join our free Substack community (https://substack.com/@coderedbyredswan) for more insights.

🧠 Welcome to the digital age, where attention spans have shrunk to the size of a TikTok video. In this episode of Code Red - Technology, Madness, and the Future um Humanity, Chris Kalaboukis and I dive headfirst into the phenomenon we're calling "TikTok Brain"—a state of mind where anything longer than 15 seconds feels like a marathon. But don't worry, we promise this episode will hold your attention for more than a blink.

The modern workplace, much like Queen's iconic song, is "Under Pressure." 🎶 Existential angst has always been present, but rapid advancements in AI, massive layoffs by tech giants, and the isolation of digital meetings have introduced new fears—fear of obsolescence and fear of dying alone in our offices, unnoticed. 😨

In this episode of Code Red: Technology, Madness, and the Future of Humanity, we tackle the harsh realities of tech's dehumanizing grip on the workplace:

▶People are trained like machines, only to be threatened with replacement by machines. The solution? Refuse to act like machines. 🛑

▶An anecdote from a future-of-work scenario workshop reveals how digitization can lead to complete isolation.

▶The psychological toll of acting like robots and how it increases the risk of being replaced by actual robots.

▶The constant state of overwhelm in digital workspaces and its impact on our humanity.

▶How C-level executives’ refusal to make decisions reflects a deeper systemic issue.

Join Ursula Eysin, founder & CEO of Red Swan (www.redswan.at), and co-host Chris Kalaboukis, a Silicon Valley-based inventor and philosopher, as they explore these pressing issues and offer solutions to reclaim humanity in an increasingly mechanized workplace. 🎙️

👉 Key Topics Covered:

▶Existential angst in the modern workplace

▶Impact of AI and tech layoffs

▶Isolation from digital meetings

▶Strategies to refuse acting like a machine

▶How to actualize untapped human potential

▶Overcoming constant overwhelm and decision paralysis

▶Future-proofing your job by fully embracing human potential

🔗 Don't forget to subscribe for more insights and join our free Substack community (https://substack.com/@coderedbyredswan) and follow Code Red by Red Swan here on Spotify, YouTube, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts from!

♥️ Isolated we are weak. Together we are strong. So, let’s connect. I am happy to hear from you. (office (at) redswan.at)

#UnderPressure #DehumanizingTech #TechWorkplace #AI #Automation #HumanityAtWork #CodeRedPodcast #RedSwan #UrsulaEysin #ModernWorkplace #PodcastEpisode #TechIndustry #FutureOfWork #ThinkFuture

🤩Oh, social media—those wonderful platforms that use intermittent reinforcement patterns to keep us blissfully addicted. Their algorithms? Totally transparent and unchanging...just kidding! They change all the time, like capricious, moody lovers who sometimes give us attention, care, affection, or validation—when they feel like it. Who doesn't love the thrill of never knowing if we'll be rewarded or punished next?

With over 75 million users worldwide, Tinder might be a hidden gem for recruiters. 18% of people on Tinder are in fact open to job opportunities. And 30% of millennials are using dating apps for networking. That's right! Tinder's not just for finding love anymore—it's a hotspot for making professional connections.

In this conversation with former Yahoo! Head of IP Innovation, Chris Kalaboukis, I discuss opportunities and risks of swiping right for labor.

I certainly don't. How about you?

As a European, indulging in our rich food culture is so important to me that I clearly say, 'Get your robotic hands off my food.' But can Chris convince me that the 3D-printed pizza is a good idea?

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However, the idea of a 3D-printed pizza from NASA may not appeal to everyone. What amounts to a quantum leap on Mars isn't necessarily a big step for humanity.

As many cultures understand very well: Coming together to cook and dine is about much more than just getting food into your body. It’s a social event to connect and bond with other people.

So don’t let robotic high-precision machines take all pleasure out of your meals and enjoy La Dolce Vita together with your fellow human beings!

3D printers are a fascinating invention in their own right with highly useful applications. Just think of all the rare spare parts we can now print easily.

However, keep your robotic hands off my food! -------

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🎯If yes, I would love you to also join our Substack Community at coderedbyredswan.substack.com ♥️.

In any case, I wish you a wonderful Sunday, my dear friends ♥️. I hope you enjoy it with friends and family, indulging not only in delicious food but also in deep human connection.

To the life you want to live!

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🎯💡If you'd like my help to develop future scenarios for a new product you want to develop or launch (I hope it’s not a 3D printed Pizza 😅), just toss me an email (office (at) redswan.at) and we'll chat about the options including open scenario workshops, in-house work-alongs with your team, one-on-one sparring for you, or monthly scenario sessions for your company regularly.

👉Read more about it here: The Red Swan Monthly Future Scenario Sessions.pdf

💌 Would you like me to navigate you through the process? Or even just chat to see if it is right for you? Get in touch with me: ursula.eysin (at) redswan.at.

⚓We work with courageous business leaders, team captains, and individuals with an open mind for a different view who are brave enough to change the world by starting with themselves.

♥️Thank you for your bravery.

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As we sail into the end of March, most New Year's resolutions are long forgotten and it's time for a reality check. Ready to grab life by the horns?

23% of people give up on their New Year’s resolutions one week into the new year. 43% quit by the end of January.

The new habit they wanted to form, all the exercise they said they intended to do, the diet that always starts tomorrow… Let’s face it: New Year’s Resolutions just don’t work. They never will. And technological devices are putting fuel into the fire.

In this Code Red Episode Silicon-Valley based 354-fold patent holder Chris Kalaboukis and I discuss why and what to do about it.

💭There is a difference between dreamers and doers. The cheap dopamine hits dreamers rely on don’t work long-term. They destroy your life. You want the real deal—you want to reshape the future instead.

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I hope you enjoy this month’s episode.

🎯If yes, I would love you to also join our Substack community♥️: https://substack.com/profile/33842661-red-swan?utm_source=profile-page

To the life you want to live, my dear friends ♥️.

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🎯💡If you'd like my help to develop future scenarios for your business, just toss me an email (office (at) redswan.at) and we'll chat about the options including publicly open scenario-workshops, in-house work-alongs with your team, one-on-one coaching for you personally, or monthly scenario sessions for your company, etc.

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🎬 Video, design concept & production by the incredibly talented Red Swan Chief Creative Officer (CCO) Xaver Kettele (🙏😊); photos&footage: Unsplash

🎵 music: audiojungle

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♥️ If you like, you can read the Code Red column which was the basis for our conversation here: https://open.substack.com/pub/coderedbyredswan/p/new-years-resolutions-dont-work-and?r=k5d5x&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web.