Year: 2012

Impact Lab > 2012
Business, Internet, Latest Trend

Young tablet users more willing to pay for online news

digital news

People who pay for online news are still the minority – but participation may be growing thanks to tablet computers.

According to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism’s new Digital News Report 2012 those who have paid for digital news ranges from 12 percent in Denmark to four percent in the UK. And only six percent of survey respondents said they would be willing, in future, to pay for news from sources they liked.

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Business, government

U.S. backs copyright “limitations”

acta

The US government learns that copyright maximalism won’t work as ACTA withers.

In San Diego last week,  another negotiating round began for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. To the amazement of everyone, the US Trade Representative (USTR) announced on July 3 it would now include a provision in the intellectual property (IP) chapter recognizing the importance of “limitations and exceptions” to copyright and embracing the international 3-part test for what constitutes suitable limitations and exceptions. (For those not familiar with this term of art, “limitations and exceptions” are things like Fair Use and First Sale Doctrine in the United States. As the name implies, limitations and exceptions to copyright limit the rights of the copyright holder and create exceptions to the general rule against copying without permission.)

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Analysis, Business, government, Latest Trend, Science & Technology News

Wireless carriers see double-digit increase in surveillance requests

surveillance

Cell companies have seen double-digit percentage increases in law-enforcement requests for subscriber information for each the past five years.

Cell phone carriers say they received 1.3 million requests last year from law enforcement agencies for subscriber text messages, caller locations, and other information, reflecting a steady increase during the past five years.

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Analysis, Big Problems, Crazy Stuff, Education, Globalism, government, Historical Perspectives

Hidden Government Scanners Will Instantly Know Everything About You From 50 Meters Away

scanner privacy ending

YIKES!

Within the next year or two, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will instantly know everything about your body, clothes, and luggage with a new laser-based molecular scanner fired from 50 meters away. From traces of drugs or gun powder on your clothes to what you had for breakfast to the adrenaline level in your body—agents will be able to get any information they want without even touching you.

And without you knowing it…

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Analysis, Economy, Education, Latest Trend, Science & Technology News

Big push for more scientists in the U.S. but there are too few jobs

scientists

U.S. pushes for more laboratory scientists.

Michelle Amaral planned a traditional academic science career to become a brain scientist to help cure diseases.  She planned on her PhD, university professorship and, eventually, her own lab. But three years after earning a doctorate in neuroscience, she gave up trying to find a permanent job in her field.

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Analysis, Culture, Globalism, Health & Fitness

Top 30 best places in the world to be a mother

Norway

Norway ranks number 1 as the best place in the world to be a mom.

The joy of motherhood is a universal emotion no matter where you are in the world. However, the conditions in which women raise their children vary from country to country. As part of the 2012 State of the World’s Mothers report, Save the Children has released their 13th annual Mothers’ Index.

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Architecture, Photo Perspectives, Science & Technology News

Poseidon Undersea Resort is world’s first seafloor resort

poseidon 1

Poseidon Undersea Resort

The Poseidon Undersea Resort from Fiji is the world’s first seafloor resort and the only place where you can spend a couple of days 40 feet under water in a luxurious environment. The resort is located in the crystal clear water of a 5,000 acre Fiji lagoon. (Pics)

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Analysis, Photo Perspectives, Robots, Science & Technology News, top 10

Top 10 most promising technological inventions inspired by science fiction

Sonic Screwdriver

The Doctor in Doctor Who holds a sonic screwdriver.

We previously explored how science fiction movies, books, games and more inspire the technology we use today. So, what about the future? What great inventions from science fiction are in our future? What if you could ride around town in your very own landspeeder, or travel the world by simply standing on your very own teleporter pad and telling it where to send you?

Here’s a list of the top 10 most promising up and coming technological inventions inspired by science fiction.

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Discover the Hidden Patterns of Tomorrow with Futurist Thomas Frey
Unlock Your Potential, Ignite Your Success.

By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.

Learn More about this exciting program.