What will the future make of our discoveries?

Science is an ecosystem, and its evolution is driven by the legacy of what has gone before. I have been privileged to be part of this, finding a niche in which to work and live, in the biome of marine science. Entering science through curiosity and connection to the sea, I was lucky to encounter mentors who lit up potential career paths and facilitated connections to community. My career is an ongoing part of their legacy. Like evolution itself, the journey of science practice is not pre-ordained, with no itinerary. Various paths are tried, and some become established through the selection pressure of success. Opportunities arise, and collaborations are formed with a commonality of interest and purpose, and a diversity of ideas and expertise. Supervision of postgraduates also provides an expanding legacy out in to the wider world. What will our individual and collective legacy look like? My hope is that our understanding of complex systems, such as ocean ecosystems, is captured and challenged by computational models capable of predicting future states. Being able to see what different futures look like, with and without positive interventions, should help us make better choices and create a sustainable Anthropocene future by active design.