Doom Scrolling, Big Tech and Public Policy: The Long View
September 28, 2020
(The Globe and Mail) – Our technological moment offers other upgrades.
Strategic Historian | Chair, Long Run Institute | Senior Advisor to CEOs | Public Intellectual | Author
Dr. Laurence B. Mussio is a premier voice helping leaders decode today’s disruptive moment. In an era of profound geopolitical and economic realignment—marked by AI breakthroughs, trade weaponization, institutional decay, and contested sovereignties—Dr. Mussio provides the rare ability to map the deep patterns that define this new age.
Through his widely circulated 2025 Globe and Mail commentary and his role as Chair of the Long Run Institute, Dr. Mussio has shaped elite discourse across finance, policy, and technology. He demonstrates how historical continuities and strategic pattern recognition are essential to mastering volatility—not merely reacting to it.
As Special Advisor to the CEO at BMO Financial Group, and a long-time facilitator of high-level briefings and roundtables, Dr. Mussio equips decision-makers with insights forged from history, tested in real time, and delivered with clarity and conviction. His recent work on the DeepSeek correction, the resurgence of tariffs, and Canada’s “winter of reckoning” exemplifies how the past is not prologue—it is an asset when properly understood.
Known for his disarming wit, compelling storytelling, and intellectual precision, Dr. Mussio delivers more than a keynote—he delivers a shift in strategic mindset. For leaders determined not to be blindsided by the next inflection point, he is an indispensable guide.
Grounded in board-room engagements from Toronto to London, Dr. Mussio shows why algorithms without institutional memory leave firms exposed. Drawing on a career that includes scores of popular-press interventions, peer-reviewed articles, and acclaimed books on technology and regulation, he unveils “scenario archaeology”—a method that converts corporate history into forward-looking risk capital for North-Atlantic financial and industrial arenas.
From ATMs to generative AI, adoption curves in Canada, the U.S., and Europe reveal recurring success patterns—and costly delusions. Combining archival insight with first-hand work inside C-suites, Dr. Mussio helps leaders sift durable value from transient buzz and set board-ready priorities that outlive the news cycle.
Tariffs, industrial policy, and capital controls are back. Informed by his Globe and Mail columns and executive briefings across both sides of the Atlantic, Dr. Mussio supplies a decision framework that turns geopolitical headwinds into commercial advantage—tailored for skeptical, well-informed audiences who demand evidence, not platitudes.
When historical patterns fracture, leadership gaps widen. Blending case studies, behavioural insight, and real-time observation of Fortune-500 strategy rooms, Dr. Mussio equips executive teams to act decisively at inflection points, forging cultures that learn faster than the turbulence outside.
For select gatherings—from Manhattan client dinners to City of London town-halls—Dr. Mussio convenes CEOs, investors, and policymakers to stress-test strategy against centuries-deep precedent. Participants emerge with a shared narrative and tighter commercial bonds—proof that expertly facilitated context drives deal-making and foresight.
Dr. Laurence B. Mussio is a renowned historian, strategic advisor, and keynote speaker with a unique ability to translate deep historical insight into actionable business intelligence. In an era defined by rapid technological disruption and complex geopolitical realignment, Dr. Mussio equips senior leadership teams with the long-term perspective needed to make confident, forward-looking decisions.
As the Chair and Co-Founder of the Long Run Institute (LRI), Dr. Mussio leads a prestigious transatlantic think tank that connects influential business leaders, policymakers, and scholars across Toronto, London, and Belfast. This role places him at the center of high-level strategic discourse, providing critical historical context for today’s most pressing global challenges.
Dr. Mussio is also the founding CEO of SIERC, where he offers sophisticated counsel to boards and C-suite executives, helping them leverage institutional memory for strategic advantage. His extensive advisory work includes serving as Special Advisor to the CEO’s Office at BMO Financial Group and holding positions at Queen’s University Belfast and the Ivey Business School’s Leadership Institute.
A prolific author and respected scholar, Dr. Mussio’s work has garnered widespread acclaim. His recent research paper with the RAND Corporation, Applying History to Inform Anticipatory AI Governance, demonstrates his thought leadership at the intersection of history, technology, and public policy. His landmark book, Whom Fortune Favours, has been praised by noted historian Sir Niall Ferguson as “exemplary, deeply researched, and insightful,” cementing his status as a leading authority in his field. In recognition of his significant scholarly contributions, Dr. Mussio was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS).
Dr. Mussio’s expertise encompasses technological transformation, where he contextualizes AI and digital disruption within the broader history of technological revolutions, helping leaders develop effective adoption strategies. His work on the future of work addresses challenges related to workforce adaptation and organizational resilience, drawing from historical patterns of labor evolution. He also analyzes geopolitical shifts, using historical precedents to help organizations anticipate changes in international business environments. His insights into strategic risk management draw on lessons from past institutional responses to crises, guiding leaders in identifying, assessing, and mitigating emerging risks.
With a deep understanding of financial history, Dr. Mussio provides critical perspectives on market cycles, regulatory changes, and monetary policy evolution. His ability to transform historical understanding into practical, strategic guidance makes him a sought-after speaker and advisor. His thought-provoking keynotes and executive engagements continue to inspire leaders to leverage the past as a strategic asset for the future.
All timing and logistics were seamless, and the client was super engaged and thankful. I’m happy to report that we have another WIN for WWSG! Let’s build on the momentum together!
Josh Linkner, Tech Entrepreneur, Hyper-Growth CEO, NYT Best-Selling Author, Venture Capitalist, and Keynote Speaker
The team at WWSG is certainly at the top of the scale. Building a long-term relationship with the client has really set WWSG apart and we clearly saw that with our partnership. WWSG found creative ways to build the partnership which results in a win-win for all.
Erik Qualman, Top Technology and Motivational Speaker, #1 Bestselling Author & Futurist
The consistent professionalism and quality for the way Worldwide Speakers Group handles events shows that they think of each detail and every contingency beforehand.
Newt Gingrich, Distinguished Leader, Visionary, & Political Vanguard; 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate; Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (1995-1999); Best-Selling Author
“After 20 years in the lecture series business, WWSG has become a valued partner. We produce over 24 speaking events a year and have worked with dozens of agencies. We appreciate WWSG’s unparalleled professionalism, integrity, and creativity in suggesting speakers that are unique to the speaker circuit."
The Distinguished Speaker Series of Southern California
Thanks again for all your help. Your entire team there is truly stellar.
American Property Casualty Insurance Association
They provide us well-prepared and informed speakers who understand our expectations and unique format. With WWSG, we know that the speaker fees are fair and trust that the event will be a success.
The Distinguished Speaker Series of Southern California
Everything was buttoned up, from the initial outreach to the event execution and post follow-up. I have a great team of representatives from WWSG to work with, first class experience.
American Century Investments
The WWSG team are super responsive and flexible. I will definitely work with them again to find speakers for my next event.
Ernst & Young LLP
I hope to work again and again with Worldwide Speakers Group on the selection of our keynote and endnote speakers for our annual conference and other events. Our representative and her associate were terrific from my first communication to them until our speaking-event concluded... It is easy to see why many of the top speakers in the country work with Worldwide Speakers Group.
The National Recreation and Park Association
We always enjoy working with WWSG, and we thank you and your team for your diligence, thoroughness, and professionalism. Planning is already underway for next year's event (no rest for the weary). We hope to have every opportunity to work with you again in the near future.
Texas American Resources Company