BOOK FOREWORD
Author's Biography
This book is authored by the acclaimed Michael J. Freeman, Ph.D., a furtive man whose work has altered the lives of everyone on the planet, including yours!
Governments, corporations, and individuals pay him well for his unique analytical abilities where he takes current trends and projects them into future behaviors. His accuracy is astounding. Generally, corporations use his unique foresight for planning and profit, governments for policy, and individuals for personal reasons. In this book, Dr. Freeman applies his extraordinary analytical skills for us, the readers. He'll give you a glimpse of the future and identify areas of concern.
When not consulting for others about the future, he invents it. Freeman singlehandedly develops technology that changes industries. If you'd ever used computer core memory, heard computers speak, played with a smart-toy, interacted with TV, or pressed #1 for this or #2 for that during a phone call, he is the man to thank, If you got disconnected into eerie silence, blame him.
You've probably never heard of Michael J. Freeman, Ph.D., because he keeps the lowest profile possible for a man so accomplished. Surprisingly, in over half a century of altering the world, there's barely a posed photos of him anywhere - except perhaps the photo in the kindergarten's friends' tab on the website. But now he has important messages to convey through this book, so he has stepped forward a bit.
This is not a political book. The behavioral forces Dr. Freeman talks about transcend politics so it makes little difference which person or party is in power, now or in the future. It may make a difference to you, but it does not weigh heavily on the factors Dr. Freeman talks about in the book. Why is he writing this book now?
Most people associate the phrase "Never let a good crisis go to waste" with a negative connotation (probably because of how it was used by Rahm Emanuel, the chief of staff to President Obama). However, the opposite is also true; crises open up opportunities for positive change. That's what this book is about.
BOOK ABOUT HIS LIFE:
Numerous authors have asked to write about Dr. Freeman's intriguing life, career, inventions, and his dealings with top corporate leaders, but he always declined. However, in this book, he includes many of the same stories the others clamored to write. Why, because he knows you'll enjoy them, and he'll get his messages across at the same time. When he talks about his invention he shows us pictures of original prototypes never seen before. If you are the "inventive type" hearing about how Dr. Freeman operates will give you invaluable information. He has successfully dealt with some of the most powerful corporations in the world and he explains what happened.
CALLED "RETARDED" IN SCHOOL:
Adding to the enigma called Freeman, he started life as a poor Bronx boy born with brain damage at birth. Upon entering school, he was placed in Special Ed as "retarded," (probably classified as autistic today), but at 13, he was suddenly a "genius" by winning the national science fair." Then he went on to earn a Ph.D.
PREVIOUS OUTINGS:
Decades ago, Freeman was invited to be a special guest on the Larry King show, the most popular program in its day. It's safe to say Freeman "blew Larry away," and King repeatedly called Freeman "One of America's top geniuses." But do not take our word for it; listen for yourself at KingTranscript.org.
Although Freeman generally stays out of the limelight, he once did a personal favor for an executive at Fisher-Price, by appearing on CNN to do a toy promotion. The friend was ecstatic when the toy became one of the most popular of the year and won major awards for Fisher-Price. Two spin-offs of the toy were created in subsequent years. You can see Freeman's appearance on CNN on the "Videos" TAB.
As a teacher at three universities, Freeman found that students often seemed perplexed about their chosen academic study (their majors) and how to get actual jobs in the workforce. So he wrote a pamphlet detailing this relationship and gave it out to students free. Soon it was discovered by the publisher (Richard D. Irwin, a division of McGraw-Hill), and they asked if Freeman would expand it into a book. Freeman agreed, wrote the book, and donated all proceeds to the school charity. The book was a success and served as the basis for how résumés are written even today: dynamic and targeted.
In 2003, after the dot-com bubble burst, Freeman hosted five one-hour weekly radio programs to discuss financial strategy, and he included specific stocks to buy as advice. His predictions were so accurate; he soon received a warning from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) cautioning him against disclosing "insider information." Freeman explained his forecasts had nothing to do with insider information and dealt only with trend analysis. After reviewing his background, they promptly dropped the matter. However, there was something he had not mentioned to the SEC. Sometimes, robust predictions in a public forum cause change. Keep that in mind as you read this book.
In 2010, Freeman was commissioned by a large commercial bank to write a trend analysis report delineating how America might ascend from its long-term economic recession. Freeman reported that recovery would only happen if a perceived "business-friendly" president were elected. At the time, of course, no one considered Donald Trump as a serious presidential candidate, let alone someone who would win. While most other analysts focused on statistics, economics, and financial models, Freeman focused on the behavioral aspects. Freeman was right; you can say many things about Donald Trump, but not being business-friendly is not one of them. The recession essentially reversed after his election until COVID came knocking. According to Freeman, financial markets are driven by behavioral science. Freeman published his work in a 2012 book, BFF Economics. He used his middle name (James) as a pen name because the work was initially done for a (proprietary) private source. He donated the proceeds to charity.
SHIES PUBLICITY:
As mentioned, Freeman values his privacy, but there were instances he could not control. Once, he took a Continental Airlines flight and, as he walked to the rear of the plane to find his seat, he noticed people staring and smiling at him. He was perplexed until he sat down to find he was staring at himself! He and his chief engineer were on the cover of the Continental In-Flight Magazine poking out of each seatback pocket. Some passengers looked at the magazine, saw Freeman, and made the connection. Two people wanted him to sign the cover. One guy commented: "You'd think the cover-boy of their own magazine would get an upgrade to first class."
NO THEORETICIAN: Freeman is no theoretician. Once he identifies a problem, he matches it to potential solutions. As he explains in his book, "the best way to improve the future is to start now."
FREEMAN IS THE REAL DEAL: Freeman wants youths to also read this book. They have the most to gain/lose, and he feels the information/education they get today to be substandard and many sources of information to be unreliable. Freeman knows what he's talking about and has proven it countless times, in hundreds of ways, over decades. He is the real deal.
POLITICS: This book is not about politics. The circumstances he envisions coming down the road affect an entire generation, and who's in power will not shift the behavioral paradigm he talks about. Also, Freeman is no theoretician. Once he identifies future problems, he provides concrete advice.
PHILANTHROPY: Freeman's wife collects antique dollhouses. Some are magnificent and built by fathers and grandfathers, often taking years of painstaking detailed effort.
When his wife turned 40, Freeman decided to buy her a unique birthday gift, the Astolat Dollhouse Castle, a museum quality piece that pales to no other.
In 2015, Dr. Freeman and his wife allowed for its public display to benefit children's charities. The exhibit was located at the Time-Warner Center in NYC. Over 7,000 people a day came to see it, including many celebrities.
NOTE: The Freeman's are planning on another public exhibitor of the Astolat Dollhouse Castle, perhaps in 2022. If you're interested, go to the Astolat Dollhouse Castle website at Astolat Dollhouse Castle and choose "Announcements" from the menu. Also, search Astolat on CBS TV, Astolat in Bloomberg, or just search Astolat Dollhouse Castle for more information. Once dates are announced, tickets will sell out quickly, so if you are interested, add your name to the reservation list by emailing AstolatTickets@gmail.com. Put in coupon code FR187 (and the ISBN from this book) and Freeman promises a discount.
PUTS HIS MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH IS:
Freeman devised a way to drive a car differently than most, and he is so sure his method is superior, he challenges any worthy celebrity to a race. The stake is $25,000, with the losers proceeds donated to a children's charity selected by the winner. The race entails speed, sudden stops, and sharp reflexes. Freeman promises not to hold the inexperience of younger drivers' against them so that all ages may apply.
But he has a warning; those he's taught to drive using his method have never had an accident, despite millions of miles driven. Once you learn his driving technique (which he discloses in the book), you can decide to "drive like Mike." He places his official challenge on the website: Go to TAB: Celebrity Bet.
FIRED THE EDITORS:
In an unusual move, Freeman has sworn off all editors, copywriters, and checkers. This book constitutes his words (even stream of consciousness) as if he speaks to you directly. Although he tried to hire pros twice, he found their work unacceptable because they altered his words too much from their original meaning. So if you see a mispelled word, a hijacked a gerund, or a dangling participle, you'll know why. If you want to add, comment, correct a "fact" or contradict something said, go to FreemanBookReaderInput@gmail.com and state your point of view. But keep in mind, that according to Freeman, "facts" often require detailed interpretation.
Freeman readily admits that some book explanations are "raw," but he is mimicking reality.
Freeman asks one indulgence. Do not judge what he says too soon. Many people have thought Freeman was wrong on a Tuesday only to realize he was right on a Wednesday a decade later. He often gets notes of appreciation, weeks, months, and even years after the fact. But the record holder is a man who waited 35 years before writing his note of appreciation. It is in the Appendix at the rear of the book should you wish to see it.
In the book, Freeman occasionally wants to communicate with senior citizens, grandparents, and parents directly. When he does, he uses a code that most youths can no longer decipher.
SUSAN STRONG
Managing Publisher