The World in 2050
“The World in 2050” was a global futurist writing contest co-sponsored by The Economist magazine and Royal Dutch Shell. It carried a first prize of $20,000, which included publication of the winning piece in The Economist’s annual flagship publication, “The World In”.[1] Entries were accepted from around the world via a website set up for the purpose, worldin2050.com, and at various Royal Dutch Shell offices worldwide.[1] The judging panel was chaired by Richard O’Brien, co-founder of Outsights, a scenario planning consultancy,[1] and included:
- Bill Emmott, author and then-editor of The Economist[1]
- Esther Dyson, an angel investor and philanthropist[2]
- Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, then-chairman of Royal Dutch Shell[1]
- Matt Ridley, a British scientist and member of the House of Lords[3]
- Peter Warshall, an ecologist, activist and former editor of the Whole Earth Catalog and Whole Earth magazine[4]
Over 3,000 entries were submitted from 75 countries, and the $20,000 first prize was awarded to Bill Douglass, an American communications consultant. Two second prizes of $10,000 each and five $5,000 third prizes were also awarded.[5]
References
- "What is your vision of the future?". New Straights Times. April 22, 2000.
- "Angel Investor Esther Dyson Increases Dosage in Health Startups". Bloomberg News. December 26, 2012.
- "Getting better all the time". The Economist. May 13, 2010.
- "Dear Nestor: A Letter from 2050". Whole Earth. Winter 2000.
- "UH student wins essay competition". The Daily Cougar. October 27, 2000.