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
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
Topic: Technology Futures SIG
Title: The Neurology of Human Nature
Presenter: Brian Toren
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.
Feb. 4, 2012
Topic: Future Studies
Title:
Presenter:
Abstract:
Feb. 11, 2012
Topic: Economic Futures SIG
Title: The Rich Poor Divide in America
Presenter: Bob Kaufman
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
Topic: 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 arranged in the sequence of events required get there, proceeding from the rim to the hub.
Singularity Institute
Futures wheel example
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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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