2025 — Dr. Mark van Rijmenam
Strategic futurist Dr. Mark van Rijmenam reveals how to master exponential disruptions, from AI and quantum breakthroughs to synthetic biology, and turn chaos into opportunity. Discover the WAVE framework, a proven blueprint to thrive amid unstoppable innovation, and transform overwhelming change into your personal and organizational advantage.
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Book Abstract
The future isn't coming; it is here, and it feels like a tsunami. Transformative technologies are converging, disrupting industries and society in mere moments. This is a tsunami of change, and the question is no longer whether we can adapt but how individuals, organizations and institutions can ride it and build a future of abundance.
In Now What? How to Ride the Tsunami of Change, strategic futurist Dr. Mark van Rijmenam, also known as The Digital Speaker, presents a dynamic roadmap for thriving in a world of accelerating technologies, boundless innovation, and shifting cultural tides. He demystifies the breakthroughs rewriting our planet and illuminates the powerful synergy of technology and humanity. Drawing on real - world success stories, ancient wisdom, and the author's own transformative journey, he reveals a path that balances innovation with ethics, ensuring that rapid progress lifts everyone rather than leaving communities behind.
At the heart of this book lies the WAVE framework—Watch, Adapt, Verify, Empower—a straightforward, compelling method to ride the tsunami of change and thrive in a future that feels downright dizzying. Readers learn to scan for signals of transformation, recalibrate strategies with purpose, rigorously test their assumptions, and empower diverse voices, all while compounding every small victory into an unstoppable momentum. With an insider's eye on AI breakthroughs, spatial intelligence, synthetic biology, the emerging computable economy, and other cutting-edge technologies, Dr. Van Rijmenam shows how each new disruption can elevate us toward a thriving tomorrow.
This four-step cycle distills years of research and fieldwork into an accessible method for embracing chaos as a catalyst for growth. In an era where misinformation spreads in seconds, and quantum breakthroughs can redefine entire industries overnight, Now What? offers a clear path from anxiety to action. Dive into the possibilities, learn to wield technology as a tool instead of a threat, and stake your claim as an architect of tomorrow. It's time we stopped merely bracing for impact and started riding the wave.
Visuals
The book includes many unique illustrations s because a picture can say more than a thousand words. I hope these visual elements, combined with other unique elements such as TidalShots and fictional narrative threads, make the journey informative, enjoyable, and memorable. Here are some example illustrations that you will find in the book.
2025, Now What by Dr. Mark van Rijmenam
Endorsemetns
“Now What? is more than an insightful and provocative look into the future. It is an uplifting guide to observing wisely, adapting thoughtfully, and acting with integrity to shape our future together. Let Mark van Rijmenam’s powerful WAVE framework give you the tools you need to survive—and thrive—in today’s inescapable tsunami of change.”
“Few people are as well-placed as Mark van Rijmenam to give a clear sense of what the coming years will hold. Full of powerful insights and compelling cautions, Now What? will equip you to face an uncertain future with confidence.”
“Blending cutting-edge research, practical insights, eastern philosophy and even fiction, Now What? is an informative ride through the future of technology and humanity’s role in it. Would recommend for anyone seeking greater clarity in an era of accelerating uncertainty.”
“This is a must-read for everyone confused about whether AI is a friend or foe. There is no better storyteller than Dr. Mark and this is a masterclass in how to think about thriving in uncertainty. The examples are accessible and the insights are profound. The WAVE framework is simple but powerful. Everyone on my team will be getting a copy of Now What? and we'll be using it as a blueprint for defining our strategy and helping our customers embrace change. Kudos Dr. Mark!”
“‘Now What?’ meets this moment with clarity and purpose. Dr. Van Rijmenam offers a practical, imaginative framework for navigating complexity - one that speaks to the needs of teams, organizations, and anyone designing the future with care. A thoughtful and timely guide.”
“Now What? gives us a baseline of what’s now and the tools to be empowered architects of tomorrow rather than mere bystanders.”
“Business leaders, technologists, policymakers, academics and students alike will learn and reinvigorate as adaptable Architects of Tomorrow mastering technological tides! Now What? How to Ride the Tsunami of Change, Dr. Van Rijmenam’s compelling opus, is infused with innovative visualizations and beacons—and his pioneering approachable vision and pragmatic frameworks guide readers' change-attainment journey to navigate, and thrive, with transformative vitality!”
“As the pace and scale of change accelerate, Mark van Rijmenam offers a hopeful vision of a co-created future. Now What? provides an essential methodology for intentional transformation so you can lead through relentless uncertainty.”
“Dr. Van Rijmenam masterfully contextualizes our choices and actions in terms of humanity's evolving consciousness. He unpacks today's eight primary disruptors, offers a clear, actionable framework for diligently and responsibly staying ahead of the wave, and interweaves an entertaining and approachable science fiction narrative to bring his ideas to life. His refreshing approach bridges the complex intersections of technological, societal, organizational, and individual transformation. Get ready for the tsunami; it's well on its way.”
"Now What? is a must-read for anyone navigating the chaos of today’s rapidly changing world. Dr. Mark brilliantly blends future thinking, technology insights, and human wisdom into a powerful, practical guide. His WAVE framework is not just a tool—it’s a mindset shift that every leader, brand, and professional needs to thrive. A timely and transformational read."
“In a world where change is the only constant, Dr. van Rijmenam's book Now What? offers something rare: clarity and conviction. It's a playbook for future-readiness that’s not only insightful, but also deeply practical. Among the many valuable lessons and thought-provoking perspectives in this book, the WAVE framework stands out as a clear, practical guide for navigating change with focus and confidence. If you care about learning fast, adapting smart, and leading with purpose, this book definitely delivers.”
“Dr. Mark van Rijmenam offers a profound approach to navigating the tsunami of change. Through his compelling fictional narrative and insightful framework, he redefines adaptation as The Ultimate Balancing Act—an ongoing equilibrium that seamlessly blends ancient wisdom, contemporary insights, and disruptive innovations. This book is not just inspiring and unique; it is deeply human, resonating with readers on both intellectual and spiritual levels.”
“Now What? is a compelling blueprint for leaders navigating the chaos of today’s exponential change. Dr. Mark van Rijmenam doesn’t just explore the future—he equips you to shape it with the clarity, courage, and conviction every strategist needs right now.”
“A mind-expanding exploration of the Intelligence Age, seamlessly weaving together a vast array of future-facing topics with their everyday cultural impact. Dr. Mark van Rijmenam’s WAVE method—Watch, Adapt, Verify, and Empower—tackles the often-overlooked yet most challenging aspects of cultural change. Rather than focusing solely on what is technically possible, he urges us to think philosophically about the deeper implications of emerging technologies. This book is a powerful guide for individuals, institutions, and even nations, offering a path to move beyond fear and inertia, to embrace a future defined by symbiotic human-technology relationships.”
“Now What? is your road trip kit for navigating society's future, complete with a roadmap and a few snacks to keep you going. Dr. Van Rijmenam kicks things off with a quick sci-fi story (not too nerdy) that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. He then unpacks his WAVE approach, ultimately challenging us to move beyond adaptation and fully embrace our newfound role as architects of tomorrow. Amazing read.”
“For those seeking a framework to navigate disruptive changes, especially in healthcare, I highly recommend Now What? How to Ride the Tsunami of Change. This insightful read is a must for aspiring futurists, offering practical strategies and real-world examples to thrive in uncertainty. Whether you're a healthcare professional or eager to cultivate a futurist mindset, this book empowers you to adapt and innovate. Pick up your copy today and face the future with confidence.”
“What a great and timely read that gets the balance between utopian and dystopian views just about spot on in my view. I also really appreciated the blending of East, West and Indigenous world views to suggest a way forward alongside the WAVE framework.”
“In Now What? Dr. Mark van Rijmenam offers much more than an analysis of emerging technologies—he delivers a compass for navigating the tsunami of transformations that is reshaping our collective horizons. What distinguishes this work is its rare combination of conceptual depth and practical applicability. The way Dr. Van Rijmenam integrates timeless wisdom from diverse cultural traditions with sharp analyses of emerging trends creates a truly integrative approach to responsible innovation.”
“Dr. Mark van Rijmenam’s Now What? How to Ride the Tsunami of Change is a timely and insightful handbook for business leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs facing the whirlwind of technological disruption. The book succeeds in both illuminating the unprecedented scale of changes coming our way and in providing a clear, actionable path to navigate those changes. By combining deep foresight with practical frameworks like WAVE, Dr. Van Rijmenam offers readers a way to convert uncertainty into strategy and anxiety into action.”
Where to buy
About the author
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam has guided thousands of Fortune 500 executives to transform AI complexities into market-leading advantages, resulting in tangible ROI and boosted resilience. Discover how The Digital Speaker helps businesses grow, governments innovate, and leaders outpace their competition.
Learn more2025, Now What by Dr. Mark van Rijmenam
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