1.8 Conclusion

The world is currently undergoing a profound and comprehensive transformation. The shift toward digitalization appears to be merely a stepping stone toward full virtualization. This emerging new world promises remarkable opportunities while also threatening to disrupt and upheave our traditional way of life and work. Nevertheless, it presents an unprecedented historical opportunity to reevaluate and reshape our society, economy, and policies. We must brace ourselves for an enduring transformation that will render the stable and predictable world of the past obsolete.

The future of work is a narrative of both intense destruction and creation, unlike anything witnessed in our history. It is not solely a tale of work but encompasses the entirety of human society, thus necessitating profound contemplation of fundamental questions about human existence. It's imperative that we not only redefine the essence of work but also ponder the reasons behind our toil. We must also question the desired outcomes of our labor, leading us to contemplate the purpose of our economy and explore alternative economic models.

Education and politics hold the power to shape this forthcoming future for either the better or worse. Consequently, education and politics must be centered on enhancing the quality of individual and societal life.

In the decades to come, we can anticipate substantial changes in how we work, manage work, and reward work. Educational systems, especially leadership education, will undergo disruptive transformations.

To effectively address the challenges of future work, we should consider the following:

1. Reimagining Education: We must shift our educational focus from mere learning to continuous self-development and the cultivation of core competencies (i.e., talents). This should empower individuals to harness the new technologies offered by the Cyber Age and adapt to the evolving digital and virtual world.

2. Reinventing the Concept of Work in the Future: Our focus should extend beyond what is expected and delve into what is desired. Imagination and dreams should hold a significant place in education as they are essential aspects of life.

3. Redefining Employability: Employability should be seen through the lens of lifelong learning and ongoing development and renewal of competencies. Our educational system should encompass experiences throughout a person's life. We ought to develop new forms of "work" that reward activities promoting and enhancing life quality.

4. Rethinking the Economy: A new economic model should prioritize meaningful value creation through innovative "hybrid" business models and competency clusters.

5. Reconsidering Government Roles and Taxation: Taxes should focus on the value generated and encompass all value-creating activities, including financial transactions.

Perhaps we need to envision a new form of utopian human civilization. Such a widely shared utopia can provide the motivation needed to preserve a deteriorating culture and civilization. Utopia represents an aspiration for an ideal societal state that may never be fully realized but serves as a guiding star, pointing us in the right direction. The tension between this utopian vision and our existing reality serves as a potent source of motivation. Without such tension, society may become lethargic, transitioning from active engagement with life to passive acceptance of fate. It's crucial to remember that people can become most dangerous when they feel powerless and have nothing to lose.