In their world, neither static definitions of intelligence nor traditional ideas of training stand us in good stead. Rather, we need to reframe the question given what lies before us and come to terms with a different answer posited in different language.

This, then, are those who will thrive in the 21st Century:

They will blend multiple intelligences in a way that might be described as synthetic or even symphonic

They will be ambitious and focused without being self-obsessed

They will value asynchrony and even seek it out

They will use their own marginality to generate novel perspective and new work

They will exhibit a steadfast resilience in all phases of life

They will be measured by what they produce over the course of a lifetime, not by any static notion of capacity or quotient

In the fractured environment of the 21st century, true success will be unique and unexpected—the result of a creative response to complex, shifting challenges. So, how do we prepare? How do we educate ourselves and our children for life in 2050?