Futurists Meetings

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Saved by Rog Rydberg
on December 6, 2011 at 4:56:58 pm

http://mnfuturist2011.pbworks.com/w/page/42291170/Past+Meetings+July+-+Dec+2011

Minnesota Futurists 2011 Home Page

Current Meeting & Topic Schedule

Regular Meetings are Saturdays from 9:30-11:30 AM Directions

Knights of Columbus Building - Meeting Room, 1114 American Blvd West, Bloomington, MN

Special Assessment: Members are requested to contribute $20 each for the specific purchase of copies of audio tracks from WFS 2010 and 2011. Send your check to Hank Lederer, Treasurer, 3132 County Road 101. Minnetonka, MN 55391. Thank you. David K., Chapter President. Update July 23, 2011: half way point surpassed, 2011 set has been ordered. drk

December 10, 2011

Topic: Economic SIG

Title:2012 Economic Outlook

Presenter:Roger Rydberg

Abstract:http://minnesotafuturists.pbworks.com/w/page/48713407/Dec%2010%202011%20Econ%20Sig%20Outline

December 17, 2011

Topic: The Mind Body Connection

Title: Brain Gate

Presenter: Brian Toren and Hank Lederer

Abstract: This topic addresses the insertion of microchips in the brain to enable paraplegics and individuals who have received of prosthetics to control their environment through their thought process.

The SIG will begin with the playing of the 2011 Gustavus Adolphus Nobel presentation on the subject by John Donoghue: Henry Merritt Wriston Professor, Department of Neuroscience, and Director, Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, R.I.

The following quote from the Gustavus Adolphus web site: "For more than 20 years John Donoghue has conducted research on brain-computer interfaces, and his laboratory is internationally recognized as a leader in this field. His research investigates fundamental and translational aspects of cortical information processing that lead to skilled motor behavior and the way ensembles of neurons represent and transform information through their interactions within local regions and between the primary motor cortex and its major cortical input areas. His work helps to explain how networks of neurons compute motor actions and transform sensory and internal plans into specific movements of the limbs. One of the most significant breakthroughs in the field of neural interface systems occurred when Donoghue’s group restored the ability of a quadriplegic patient to operate computer cursors and robotic arms by imagining the movement." The session will begin with a showing of the video of Dr. Donoghue's presentation

Their will be a discussion afterwards addressing:

What the participants got from the video.

What the future holds (possible, probable, preferable)

And what unexpected consequences there may be.

See.

Gustavus 2011

Dr Donoghue's presentation video

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Topics Pending for 2011

Future schedule work in progress

Roundtable: Tech Breakthrough Forecasts for 2015-2020

See topics awaiting dates above.