If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.
You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

Futurists Meetings

This version was saved 11 years, 8 months ago View current version Page history

Saved by Rog Rydberg
on August 4, 2012 at 11:16:50 am

Past Meetings July - Dec 2012

Jump to Past Meetings Jan-Jun2012

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

Aug 4, 2012

Topic: Future Studies

Title: The Role of Weak Signals in Futures Studies—Indicators of trends or precursors, rationalized constructs, or simply random patterns?

Presenter: George Kubik

Abstract: Weak signals have historically constituted a major aspect of futures studies. However, weak signals are often poorly defined and understood by users (including consultants and researchers). Typically, weak signals denote the presence of relevant information in the present that connects the past with the future in value-adding ways. While weak signals are characteristically regarded as incomplete and fragmented data, they are also considered to be valuable raw information for enabling anticipatory action.

Descriptors such as “emerging signals of change,” “noisy trend information,” “situated indicators of the future,” and “low visibility precursors” are often used. But, are weak signals objective phenomena? Can they be empirically derived and tested? Or, are they primarily constructs that rationalize connections between perceptions of the past and future?

Join us as we explore this crucial and challenging aspect of futures studies. Specifically, we will examine weak signal characteristics and uses, and differentiate them from “wild cards” and “scenarios.” We will also discuss the role of experts and interpreters in weak signal recognition and application. As always, we encourage the open exchange of ideas and experiences among participants. We hope to see you here!

Reference: Weak Signals Learning in Organizational Futures Thesis by Elina Hiltunen, PhD, Helsinki School of Economics http://hsepubl.lib.hse.fi/pdf/diss/a365.pdf 281pages in English

Graphics http://mnfuturist2011.pbworks.com/w/page/56556798/Weak%20Signals

Aug 11, 2012

Topic: Economic Futures

Title: 1982 vs 2012 and the Future

Presenter: Bob Kaufman

Abstract: Between 1982 and 2000 the US stock market rose 270% more than average. Why? Will that continue or not? And what does it all mean for the next 10-20 years of economic and market conditions?

Aug 18, 2012

Topic: Technology Futures

Title: Doc Watson and the Future of Machine Intelligence

Presenter: Eric Hand

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