Ello
Ello, a new upstart social network burst into the spotlight last week. It has grown from just 90 members in August to a reported 30,000 new users per hour, To understand the social network let’s start with its manifesto:
Continue reading… “Ello – a wakeup call for social media marketing”
The fuel cell system is based on the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology.
Those interested in off-the-grid heating and power sources for the home might soon be getting a new option. The Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) has joined forces with the heater manufacturer Vaillant and together they have come up with a domestic fuel cell system, which uses natural gas to produce both heat and electricity.
Continue reading… “New fuel cell system will heat and power homes using natural gas”
Google Chairman Eric Schmidt
Eric Schmidt, Google’s Chairman, wants to play nice with the European Union, but he isn’t about to give in to calls for regulation. “Europe needs to accept and embrace disruption. The old ways of doing things need to face competition that forces them to innovate,” he wrote in an op-ed for Digital Minds for a New Europe, the European Commission’s new tech series. “Uber, for example, is shaking up the taxi market — for the good. It offers riders convenience and cheaper fares. Understandably, the incumbent taxi industry is unhappy.”
Space elevator
The Japanese construction giant Obayashi has announced they will have a space elevator up and running by the year 2050. If successful it would revolutionize space travel and potentially transform the global economy. (Video)
Continue reading… “Japanese company Obayashi plans to have a space elevator up and running by 2050”
Inexpensive renewable sources will provide more energy than the world needs in less than 20 years.
Leading consultants were skeptical about cellular phones in the 1980’s. McKinsey & Co. noted that the handsets were heavy, batteries didn’t last long, coverage was patchy, and the cost per minute was exorbitant. It predicted that in 20 years the total market size would be about 900,000 units and advised AT&T to pull out.
Continue reading… “We are headed into an era of unlimited and free clean energy”
MIT BioSuit
Science fiction writers must feel like the future is getting too close with all the news about a 3D printer winging its way to the International Space Station (ISS), skintight spacesuits, and plans for construction of a space elevator.
Continue reading… “The future is coming to space”
“Cognitive ecstasy” is one reason humans persevere in science, art, and invention.
Humans are curious because discovery is pleasurable. In Jason Silva’s latest video. he says humans don’t care about spectacle—what we care about is ecstatic understanding: “In other words, cognitive ecstasy defined as an exhilarating neurostorm of intense intellectual pleasure.” (Video)
Continue reading… “Progress in technology is driven by our growing addiction to ‘cognitive ecstasy’”
Companies can’t find enough coders.
Alibaba has gone public in a $25 billion deal. Now an avalanche of IPOs may follow. It is rumored that dozens of disruptive mobile, cloud, network systems and biotech companies are ready to tap public markets. Even before Alibaba, about 190 companies had raised $40 billion in 2014, a 40% increase from last year, according to a recent report from Renaissance Capital. Investors who remember the dot-com days of 1999 may cringe at the thought of a deluge of IPOs. But it may be a sign of vigor.
Continue reading… “There’s a shortage of software developers – tell your kids to become coders”
Baby X, a 3D-simulated human child.
Zoltan Istvan writes In Singularity or Transhumanism: What Word Should We Use to Discuss the Future? on Slate:
“The singularity people (many at Singularity University) don’t like the term transhumanism. Transhumanists don’t like posthumanism. Posthumanists don’t like cyborgism. And cyborgism advocates don’t like the life extension tag. If you arrange the groups in any order, the same enmity occurs.”
Continue reading… “Peering into the future of AI and robot brains”
Diamond nanothread visualization
Scientists have discovered how to produce ultra-thin “diamond nanothreads” that promise extraordinary properties, including strength and stiffness greater than that of today’s strongest nanotubes and polymers.
Continue reading… “Scientists create ultra-thin ‘diamond nanothreads,’ world’s strongest material”
AI will bring together big data and other sources of information to create large and informative data pictures.
There are endless debates on big data and how best to utilize it, but the debates rarely come to a satisfactory conclusion. However, it is technology that will unlock the benefits, and narrow artificial intelligence in particular that will bring together big data and other sources of information to create large and informative data pictures.
Continue reading… “Artificial intelligence is the key to unlocking big data”
Facebook recently acquired Oculus VR for $2 billion.
Virtually reality was the stuff of science fiction not very long ago. Now, virtual reality is increasingly emerging into the real world. A new infographic produced by collaboration specialist PGi explores the current state of virtual reality and the possibility that it will soon be appearing in the world of work. (Infographic)
Continue reading… “Virtual reality technology is the future of work”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.