Abstract: Cities are becoming larger and more numerous. For the first time in history, over fifty percent of the world’s population (7 billion people) live in cities. It is projected that by 2050, 70 percent of the global population will be urban. Current trends indicate that very soon 600 cities will account for more than 60 percent of global GDP growth.
Simultaneously, cities are becoming smarter. Embedded intelligence in the form of sensors, actuators, and computers are combining to generate and apply vast amounts of data and information. Devices at the macro, micro, and nano scales are combining to monitor and control city functions and infrastructures. These devices are increasingly embedded in buildings, roads, utilities, and even in our water. At the same time, cities are becoming increasingly anticipatory. They are beginning to anticipate change and meet future challenges.
Join us this Saturday as we explore the emerging world of smart cities and intelligent urban infrastructures. And, be prepared for a vigorous discussion!
Jan 10, 2012 - Board Meeting
Abstract: Why do we have the economics that now occur?
What are the under lying reasons for what happens?
What were the reasons you chose to do the things you did in life?
(Early-middle-late career moves?)
Be prepared to participate in an inter-active discussion!
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/niall_ferguson_the_6_killer_apps_of_prosperity.html
http://video.ted.com/talk/podcast/2009G/None/DanielPink_2009G.mp4
Abstract: V.S. “Rama” Ramachandran has pursued research in two areas, one in the study of visual perception (what a subject is seeing based on what they report), and the other in behavioral neurology (in which his experiments, despite their seeming simplicity, have had a significant impact on the way we think about the brain). He is credited with introducing the use of visual feedback as a treatment for phantom limb pain and complex regional pain syndrome and for stroke rehabilitation. More recently, his work has focused on the causes of autism. Rama was the second most viewed presenter after Larry J Young's "The Monogamous Brain" at the 2011 Nobel Conference held at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.
We will view the video of the talk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrrWl_ytikA&list=PLA1D7BD1295076BB1&index=2&feature=plpp_video, then Brian will conduct the discussion.
Jan. 28, 2012
Topic: Society, Management, Education Futures SIG
Title: Augmented Reality Futures
Presenter: David Keenan
Abstract: A review of current and emerging capabilities and some exploration of future trends.
Presentation: Augmented Reality Futures 28jan12.ppt
Feb. 4, 2012
Topic: Future Studies
Title: Futures research and resilience: An evolving perspective of change
Presenter: George Kubik, PhD (Anticipatory Futures Group, LLC)
Abstract: What, if anything, does our understanding of resilience have to do with the issues, limitations, and potentials of futures research? How does resilience theory help us understand systems undergoing change and perturbation? Join us this Saturday as we explore the subject of resilience and its relationship to change in physical and biological systems, and natural and built environments.
Ref.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fifth_Discipline
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_swan_theory
Feb. 11, 2012
Topic: Economic Futures SIG
Title: The Rich Poor Divide in America
Presenter: TBA
Abstract: Will the division between rich and poor get wider or narrower over the next decade? An exercise in critical thinking. It's not what you think should happen. It's what you think will happen.
Feb 18, 2012
Topic: Technology Futures SIG
Title: Using the Futures Wheel to Forecast the Singularity
Presenters: Brian Toren and George Kubik
Abstract: This SIG is a participatory research SIG. The subject is the Singularity: the merging of human and machine. The question is when and how will we get there? The SIG will start with a recap of the definition of a singularity and a rundown on where we are today, using a modified process of the futures wheel forecasting tool. Rather than using the wheel to determine impacts of an event, we are going to use the wheel backwards to identify the events required to get to get to the end product. The present state of technology will establish the outer rim of our futures wheel. The hub of the futures wheel is the singularity itself. The activity is to postulate the research, breakthroughs, sequence and timing of events required to achieve the goal of a singularity. These will be recorded on a flip chart arrange d in the sequence of events required get there, proceeding from the rim to the hub.
Technological Singularity - Wikipedia
The Coming Technological Singularity Vernon Vinge
Feb. 25, 2012
Topic: Society, Management, Education Futures SIG
Title: The Future of Societies - Implications of Genetic Enhancements for Intelligence
Presenter: Eric Hand
Preliminary Abstract: Steve Hsu, University of Oregon, presented Genetics and Intelligence on Aug. 18, 2011. "Hsu is involved in a study which seeks to find links between genes and high IQ. The study is looking for individuals with IQs that test higher than 3 standard deviations above the mean, in a clear effort to cut to the chase. Hsu's talk is well worth watching for anyone interested in the genetics of cognitive ability. As high tech infrastructures grow more sophisticated and crucial to advanced societies' successes, their high IQ smart fractions take on an ever greater importance." Comments from Alfin http://alfin2100.blogspot.com/2011/08/google-tech-talk-steve-hsu-genetic.html
We will watch some or all of the talk and then discuss possible futures. Link to Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jZENi1ed8 (66 min). Link to Slides from Steve Hsu http://duende.uoregon.edu/~hsu/talks/ggoogle.pdf
Mar 3, 2012
Topic: Futures Tools
Title: Singularity Futures Wheel
Presenter: George Kubic, Brian Toren, Hank Lederer
Abstract:
This SIG is a continuation of the Singularity SIG of 17 February. It consists of two parts. First, an introduction to and examples of the Futures Wheel tool. Second, A review of the brain and where we are in emulating the brain, then use the Futures Wheel in the analysis of Singularity futures. This will actually be using the Wheel in reverse to ascertain how we get to a singularity that can surpass human intelligence. Then a brain storming session with attendees using the tool to determine what advance and breakthroughs in technology are required to get there. If time permits, we will use the wheel in its attended form to investigate the impact of the singularity on the future of humans and society,
Brain Facts and Figures/facts.html
Mar. 10, 2012
Topic: Economic Futures SIG
Title: That Used To Be Us: How America Fell Behind In The World It Invented And How We Can Come Back'
Tom Friedman of The New York Times & Johns Hopkins Professor Michael Mandelbaum
Presenter:R Rydberg
(Book) That Used to Be US
(Video) http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11879
Mar 17, 2012
Topic: Technology Futures SIG
Title: Compressed Natural Gas as Transportation Fuel Futures
Presenter: Tom Mader
Mar. 24, 2012
Topic: Technology Futures SIG
Title: Emerging Nanotechnology Processes Enable New Applications
Presenters: David Keenan
Abstract: This talk will explore some of the processes that use nanotechnology to allow new product properties and new applications. Areas touched on will include: •Composites •Solar Energy •Hydrogen Storage for Fuel Cells •Drug Delivery •Gas Sensors •Plastics Processing •Magnetic Materials •Better Seals •Future Electronics
Mar 31, 2011
Topic: Peace, Justice
Title:North Korea - What's next?
Speaker:Roy Kim
Abstract:Kim is a native of North Korea and a resident of Minnesota. He is able to visit his family in North Korea. He will share a brief history of the country’s division and war and his observations during a visit to North Korea during the recent regime change.
Ref.
April 7, 2012
Category: Futures Research
Topic:Exploring “The Tipping Point”
Speakers: George Kubik, PhD (Anticipatory Futures Group, LLC)
Abstract:
Introduction: Join us this Saturday (April 7) as we explore Malcolm Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point.” In his book, Gladwell provides insights into the social dynamics of how ideas and products are spread through society. He compares their rapid growth and decline to epidemics where infections reach a critical mass and are passed on. His book is an exploration of the forces driving these changes, wherein he describes the ‘tipping point in these processes as the dramatic moment when a threshold has been crossed and sudden change occurs. Is ‘the tipping point’ a guiding template for social change, or is it merely the ‘tip’ of the iceberg in explaining this phenomena. During the presentation we will explore other interpretations of social change including bifurcation theory and catastrophe theory. Join us in this exploration of change and the future, and present your ideas and views.
April 14, 2012
Economic and Financial Futures SIG
Title: Where Nations Invest in R&D as Insight into the Future
Speaker: David Keenan
Abstract: Recently, China's 12th 5 year plan for investment was explained. We will review the highlights and implications and attempt to explore similar government investment plans. Our goal will be to anticipate the future, based on how nations "place their bets".
April 21, 2012
Technology Futures SIG
Title: Technology Potpouri
Speaker: David Grider
Abstract: Recently Next Big Futures did a blog on Technology areas to watch over the next 4-5 years:
http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/12/technology-areas-to-watch-in-2012.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/daniel_schnitzer_inventing_is_the_easy_part.html TED talk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdpf-MQM9vY&feature=player_embedded 30 story building assembled in 15 days
We will talk about some of his possible scenarios and discuss how likely we think they might be. Bring ideas that you think might develop in this time frame. Our high rankings:
Brian_Wang_Technology_5_years.doc
April 28, 2012
Future Studies
Title: Preparing a Talk for the Futurists
Presenter: David Keenan
Abstract: This session will cover guidelines, recommendations, tools and tricks that I use to research and prepare presentations for the Futurists.
Presentation: HO-Preparing a Talk for MNF-28Apr12.ppt
Reference Page: Tools
May 5, 2012
Social Political Education (G. Kubic will not be here this Saturday)
Title: Ten or Eleven ideas that can change your life
Speaker: Brian K Toren
Abstract: Ten ideas that can change your life (plus one other)
In this SIG we will discus several ideas in social environment economics (and some technical( that can affect your future. Topics Include:
• Our Wimpy Economy
* Living Alone
* Privacy in Public
* Information in the Cloud
* Foods That Last Forever
* The End of Nature
* The rise of the "Nons"
After each topic, time will be used to list and discuss some positive and negative consequences of these ideas.
May 12, 2012
Topic: Economic Futures SIG
May 19, 2012
Topic: Technology Futures
Title: Technology Potpouri
Presenter: David Grider
Abstract: We will continue talking about some of Brian Wang's technological areas to watch for the next 4-5 years.
Brian_Wang_Technology_5_years.doc
Bring items that you think should have been included, or that you think support his areas.
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
June 2, 2012
Topic: Future Studies
Title: Creativity and the Future - Part 1
Presenter: David Keenan
Abstract: 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.
Presentation: HO-Creativity and the Future MNF-02Jun12.ppt (updated)
Audio: MNF Creativity pt 1 6jun12.WMA
June 9, 2012
Topic: Economic Futures
Title: The Future of Employment
Presenter: TBA
Abstract:
Some video links:
Automation Nation: Will Robots Take Our Jobs
Martin Ford (Lights in the Tunnel author – interview)
http://www.ideasinactiontv.com/episodes/2012/05/automation-nation-will-robots-take-our-jobs.html
econfuture | Future Economics and Technology, Dispatches from the Economic Landscape of the Coming Decades
Automation / Robot and Jobs – Links
Blog containing the following videos and articles http://econfuture.wordpress.com/
新型 Asimo video 9:49 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=or6YW6riDLE
Google I/O 2011: Cloud Robotics video 39:59 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FxXBUp-4800
June 16, 2012
Topic: Technology Futures
Title: Singularity University
Presenter: Hank Lederer
Abstract: Peter Diamandis created the X-Prize Foundation. The Ansari X-Prise awarded $10M to Burt Rutan for SpaceShip1 in 2004. This year, he cofounded Planetary Resources to mine asteroids, with investors Larry Page and Eric Schmidt of Google, Ross Perot, and director James Cameron. He cofounded Singularity University with Ray Kurzweil.
https://read.amazon.com/?asin=B005FLOGMM
Website: http://singularityu.org/
Video Clips: http://singularityu.org/multimedia/videos/
TED Video: http://www.ted.com/talks/peter_diamandis_abundance_is_our_future.html (16 min)
Ford's most advanced assembly plan
Future Session - July 21, 2012
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/6/6/joseph_stiglitz_on_the_price_of
Economics-and-morality
http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/279-82/11933-focus-economics-and-morality
June 23, 2012
Topic: Society, Management, Education / Future Studies
Title: The Black Swan - part 2
Presenter: George Kubik
Abstract: coming soon
June 30, 2012
CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETING 10:00-10:45
- President's Recap and Future Outlook
Topic: Peace Futures - short session 10:45 - 11:45
Title: Israel Regional Peace Futures - New Possibilities
Presenter: Roger Rydberg
Abstract: http://minnesotafuturists.pbworks.com/w/page/53615833/June%202012%20Peace%20SIG
