David Bent
davidbent.bsky.social
David Bent
@davidbent.bsky.social
Founder: Atelier of What’s Next, a studio for initiatives at the frontier of generating a better future.

Edmund Hillary Fellow. Hon Lecturer: UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources. Views own.

https://linktr.ee/davidbent
On the UK politics demonstrate the spine of a wet sponge and the intellect of one too on flags, racism, immigration & integration, I am excited to be working with folks on taking the fate of Britain back into our hands — where ‘our’ is drawn as wide as the brilliant people of brilliant Britain 1/2
September 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM
'I never thought leopards would eat MY face,' sobs man who voted for the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party.

Proof, if more proof were needed, that he is definitely and absolutely the smartest man in the world.

x.com/elonmusk/sta...
June 4, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Is it possible to agree more than 100%? If so, I agree 1,000% (at least) w @stephenkb.bsky.social’s piece.
May 16, 2025 at 10:34 AM
EVENT REPORT: Good faith arguments against 'post-growth'.
-Ecosystem thinking for a post-growth future.
-Good faith arguments against: their responses, and my list.
-New framings needed.

exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/event-repo...
May 12, 2025 at 11:19 AM
New Atelier of What's Next WeekNote for w/c 31 Mar:

-How can a climate innovation hub deliver the most impact over the next 3-5 years?
-Do MAGA hate Europe because they fear it can succeed?
-Trump tariffs: careful what you wish for.

exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/atelier-we...
April 23, 2025 at 4:44 PM
WEEKNOTES for w/c 17 & 24 Mar 2025.

'CATALYST & ENABLER' MANAGEMENT
-2025 Intentions
-Job feedback

INITIATIVES
-Venture Partner,Conduit Connect

0/DETECTING
-Trump as derailment _event_
-Rise of new religious practices and/or new religions?

exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/atelier-we...
April 1, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Post a warning.
March 23, 2025 at 8:40 AM
NEW WEEKNOTES WEEKNOTES w/c 10 Mar, covering:

0/DETECTING
Operating in a world where Trump is setting the weather.

ATELIER MANAGEMENT
2024 Results
-Progress on the story I want to be able to tell.
-Progress on KPIs.

exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/atelier-we...
March 17, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Today's prompt from the International Futures Forum (IFF):

"Direction rather than plan."

**DIRECTION RATHER THAN PLAN**

To learn why these are vital, wise words, read this:
davidbent.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/a...

Subscribe to IFF Prompts here: www.internationalfuturesforum.com/do.php?m=mai...
March 14, 2025 at 11:17 AM
NEW ATELIER POST. It has been a head-spinning & heart-stopping few weeks. I've not had a chance to produce a WeekNotes.

Here is a talk I gave in 2019 which, amongst other things, says we cannot assume the US will underpin the global order any more.

exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/holding-po...
March 4, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Auckland’s Mardi Gras Rainbow Parade includes the police Scottish marching band.

I guess, they wear skirts all the time anyway?

Joshing aside, really good to see a strong presence from police and armed services in these culture war times.
February 15, 2025 at 7:08 AM
WEEKNOTE for Atelier of What's Next for November and December. Apologies for the delay.

This time:
0/DETECTING
-Talk: Navigating a rapidly changing world.
-Domineering finance: we missed the moment.

exploringwhatsnext.substack.com/p/atelier-we...
December 30, 2024 at 3:24 PM
Huge thanks to London Candles.

I wanted to give people candles at a dinner for my late wife. But I realised late.

The went out of their way to make sure I got the candles in time, even though it was a small order.

www.londoncandles.uk/shop/

#appreciate
December 16, 2024 at 8:55 AM
My Spotify Wrapped. Dominated by the music I work to, hence lots of instrumental, whether electronica, jazz, ambient, classical or low-key funk.
December 4, 2024 at 2:29 PM
A panoramic (you’ll probably have to click for the full effect) a few minutes later.
November 29, 2024 at 7:42 AM
From SE London.
November 29, 2024 at 7:41 AM
Also David Runciman makes good points in LRB: Thiel is inspired by Ayn Rand & Robert Nozick’s Anarchy, State and Utopia; he relies on exploiting the state. The hippy-like front is just a front.

www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
November 28, 2024 at 12:49 PM
#highlight impressed with the ambition & content of the Transition Plan Taskforce final report, esp the what’s next section.

transitiontaskforce.net/wp-content/u...
November 19, 2024 at 6:02 PM