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
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.
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, 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.
What is the Singularity/
Technological Singularity - Wikipedia
The Coming Technological Singularity Vernon Vinge
Singularity Institute
Singularity University
Futures wheel example
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
--------------------------
Topics Pending for 2012
Future schedule work in progress
Roundtable: Tech Breakthrough Forecasts for 2015-2020
See topics awaiting dates above.
Jump to Past Meetings Page
Return to Minnesota Futurists Home Page
Visitors since 10/3/09:
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.