http://mnfuturist2011.pbworks.com/w/page/49336758/Past%20Meetings%20Jan%20-%20Jun%202012

 

 

Minnesota Futurists 2012 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 

 

Please note schedule change.

 

 

 

May 12, 2012

Topic:        Economic Futures SIG

Title:        “Black Swans: Anticipating the Unforeseen”  

Presenter:  G. Kubik, PhD (Anticipatory Futures Group, LLC 

Abstract: This presentation reviews the Black Swan Theory developed by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (2007, 2010). This is Taleb’s second book addressing the black swan metaphor. In his first book, Fooled by Randomness, Taleb directed his thoughts primarily to black swan events occurring in traditional financial markets. The Black Swan Theory extends his metaphor across the spectrum of human pursuits.

 

This presentation will emphasize Taleb’s application of the black swan metaphor to events that surprise observers, produce high impact outcomes, and are subsequently rationalized by hindsight. Relying on this metaphor, Taleb regards almost all major scientific discoveries, major innovations, historical events, and artistic accomplishments as black swans—undirected and unpredicted. He defines black swans as rare events (extreme outliers) that exist outside the traditional domains of scientific methodology and are typically occluded by psychological biases.

 

We will address Taleb’s assertion that priority should not be given to attempts to predict black swan events, Rather, emphasis should be placed on: 1. Developing robustness against the effects of negative black swan events; and, 2. Exploiting positive black swan events. Our presentation will also address Taleb’s description of "the fourth quadrant" which Taleb characterizes as a domain of specific empirical and statistical properties in which knowledge is uncertain and consequences are large.

 

Join us this Saturday as we explore Nassim Taleb’s The Black Swan!

 

 

 

 

May 19, 2012

Topic:      Technology Futures

Title:        coming soon 

Presenter:

Abstract:

 

 

May 26, 2012 

Topic:      Society, Management, Education Futures

Title:       Potential Breakthrough Innovations in Human Relationships/Leadership/Governance - Part 1 International

Presenter: Bill Peter

Abstract:  From 10am to 10:45am Bill will cover “Historic trends to date” and “Lessons from history”. From 10:45am to 11:30am Bill will facilitate a group discussion of “Possible futures, likely futures, and preferred futures” on each of five topics

• 1.       The Future of the United Nations
• 2.       North Korea vs. South Korea
• 3.       Germany vs. Greece, Spain, and Italy
• 4.       China vs. India vs. USA
• 5.       Iran and Islamic Countries vs. Israel

 

June 2,  2012

Topic:      Future Studies

Title:       Creativity and the Future

Presenter: David Keenan

Abstract:   How recent discoveries about how people are more or less creative, as discussed by Jonah Lehrer in his book 'Imagine: How Creativity Works' and what application of these ideas could mean for the future. 

 

June 9, 2012

Topic:      Economic Futures

Title:  The Future of Employment

Presenter: Bob Kaufman

Abstract:

 

June 16, 2012

Topic:      Technology Futures

Title: 

Presenter:

Abstract:

 

June 23, 2012

Topic:      Society, Management, Education / Future Studies

Title: 

Presenter: George Kubik

Abstract:

 

June 30, 2012 

CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETING 9:30-10:15

- President's Recap and Future Outlook

Topic: Peace Futures - short session 

Title:   Israel Regional Peace Futures - New Possibilities (tentative title) 

Presenter: Roger Rydberg

Abstract:   coming soon

 

July 7, 2012

Topic:      Future Studies

Title:            coming soon 

Presenter: David Keenan

Abstract:     coming soon

 

July 14, 2012

Topic:      Economic Futures

Title:            coming soon 

Presenter:

Abstract:     coming soon

 

July 21, 2012

Topic:      Technology Futures

Title:            coming soon 

Presenter:

Abstract:     coming soon

 

July 28, 2012

Title:       Potential Breakthrough Innovations in Human Relationships/Leadership/Governance - Part 2 - US Education and Families

Presenter: Bill Peter

Abstract:  From 10am to 10:45am Bill will cover “Historic trends to date” and “Lessons from history”. From 10:45am to 11:30am Bill will facilitate a group discussion of “Possible futures, likely futures, and preferred futures” on each of five topics

• 1.       The changing structure of the US family
• 2.       Worldwide competitiveness/Universities/K-12
• 3.       Examples of excellence/changes in market share
• 4.       Barriers to innovation
• 5.       Technological aids to education innovation

 

Aug 4, 2012

Topic:      Future Studies

Title:           coming soon 

Presenter:  George Kubik

Abstract:     coming soon

 

Aug 11, 2012

Topic:      Economic Futures

Title:            coming soon 

Presenter:

Abstract:     coming soon

 

Aug 18, 2012

Topic:      Technology Futures

Title:            coming soon 

Presenter:

Abstract:     coming soon

 

Aug 25, 2012

Title:       Potential Breakthrough Innovations in Human Relationships/Leadership/Governance - Part 3 - US Healthcare

Presenter: Bill Peter

Abstract:  From 10am to 10:45am Bill will cover “Historic trends to date” and “Lessons from history”. From 10:45am to 11:30am Bill will facilitate a group discussion of “Possible futures, likely futures, and preferred futures” on each of five topics

• 1.       The Obamacare debate
• 2.       Changes in the last 60 years
• 3.       Individual responsibility
• 4.       17% of GNP
• 5.       Huge and dysfunctional bureaucracy

 

 

 

 

 

 

--------------------------

Topics Pending for 2012

Future schedule work in progress

Roundtable: Tech Breakthrough Forecasts for 2015-2020

See topics awaiting dates above.

 

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