Futures studies (also called futurology) is the study of postulating possible, probable, and preferable futures and the worldviews and myths that underlie them. There is a debate as to whether this discipline is an art or science. In general, it can be considered as a branch of the social sciences and parallel to the field of history. In the same way that history studies the past, futures studies considers the future. Futures studies (colloquially called "futures" by many of the field's practitioners) seeks to understand what is likely to continue and what could plausibly change. Part of the discipline thus seeks a systematic and pattern-based understanding of past and present, and to determine the likelihood of future events and trends. Unlike the physical sciences where a narrower, more specified system is studied, futures studies concerns a much bigger and more complex world system. The methodology and knowledge are much less proven as compared to natural science or even social science like sociology, economics, and political science.
Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band formed in 1986 consisting of James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, lead guitar), Nicky Wire (bass, lyrics), and Sean Moore (drums, percussion). The band is part of the Cardiff music scene and were at their most prominent during the 1990s. They are colloquially known as "The Manics" or simply "Manics". Manic Street Preachers were originally a quartet but primary lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards vanished on 1 February 1995.
In 1992, the Manics released their debut album, Generation Terrorists. Their combination of androgynous glam punk imagery and critical social lyrics about "culture, alienation, boredom, and despair" soon gained them a loyal following and cult status. The band's later albums retained a leftist politicisation and intellectual lyrical style while adopting a broader alternative rock sound.
Following Edwards' disappearance, Bradfield, Moore, and Wire persisted with Manic Street Preachers and went on to gain critical and commercial success, becoming one of Britain's premier rock bands. Altogether, they have garnered eight Top 10 albums, fifteen Top 10 singles, and have reached number one three times with their 1998 This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours album, the 1998 "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" single, and the 2000 "The Masses Against the Classes" single.
Gita Irawan Wirjawan (born September 21, 1965) is an Indonesian businessman. In October 2011, he was appointed as Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Gita Irawan Wirjawan, his full name, is the son of the couple Wirjawan Djojosugito and Paula Wirjawan . In 2008, he founded the company Ancora Capital (tempo), a private equity fund whose primary investments focus on the natural resources and mining sector. Prior to founding Ancora Capital, Gita was the Vice Chairman and Head of Investment Bank JP Morgan Indonesia from 2006–2008
Gita has been synonymously identified with some of the most significant transactions in Indonesia over the past decade, specifically in the areas of telecommunications. As an investment banker, he advised on a number of transactions such as the Singtel acquisition of the wireless subsidiary of state owned incumbent P.T Telkom, Telkomsel; STT's acquisition of the No 2 telecommunications service provider P.T Indosat and subsequently the sale of STT's stake in P.T Indosat to Qtel. Gita is also credited with helping facilitate Etisalat Telecommunications entry into the Indonesian market when it bought a 16% stake in wireless service provider P.T Excelkomindo from Peter Sondakh.