A map of the interceptors discovered so far.
In the U.S., mysterious “interceptor” cell towers are grabbing phone calls — but they’re not part of the phone networks. And, two experts said the towers don’t appear to be projects of the National Security Agency (NSA).
Continue reading… “The mystery surrounding the ‘interceptor’ cell towers deepens”
Vinod Khosla: The world is changing at an increasingly rapid pace. In the past, experts with spreadsheets and econometric models or social scientists with subscale studies and linear models may have been useful. These so-called experts extrapolated from what came before, but as the rate of change has increased, looking to the past often is no longer meaningful – especially in a world driven by new technology.
Continue reading… “Intelligent failure will invent the future”
YouTube’s biggest star PewDiePie’s gaming videos were watched 439m times in July 2014 alone.
There are more than 1 billion viewers a month on YouTube. They watch 6bn hours of video, with nearly 40% of it watched on mobile devices. Its top channels are taking advantage.
Continue reading… “Views for the top 100 YouTube channels have grown by 80.5% in the past year”
The B-Tourist
Recently, the travel world has gone into a frenzy over the knee defender, a little $22 device that caused quite the scuffle on a United Airlines flight. The plastic attachment clips onto the seat, and prevents the person sitting in front of you from reclining. It is banned by most U.S. carriers, yet a man tried to use it on a flight and really annoyed the woman in front of him. Words were exchanged, drinks were thrown, and eventually the plane was diverted to Chicago and the two offenders were taken off of the plane.
Continue reading… “7 ridiculous travel accessories that will drive fellow passengers crazy”
AI is no longer just for technology companies.
Intelligent machines have arrived, only they don’t look at all like we expected. They aren’t HAL from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and they certainly aren’t Scarlett Johansson’s disembodied voice in “Her.” Intelligent machines are more akin to what happens when insects, or even fungi, do when they “think.”
Continue reading… “We should start taking artificial intelligence seriously”
The beauty of the on-demand MOOC format is that the student is in the driver’s seat.
Elliott Masie: After 30 years in a corporate learning setting, I wanted to try something different. So, I decided to experiment in the world of massive open online courses (MOOCs), knowing I could share my passion of big data and learning with an even larger audience (after all, the “M” in MOOC stands for “massive”).
Continue reading… “Understanding the value of a Massive Open Online Course”
Renter-occupied housing market has exploded.
The population of Philadelphia shrank by a quarter between 1970 and 1990. Philadelphia’s population dropped from 1.95 to 1.59 million during that time period. Like many American cities, it seemed caught in a downward spiral.
Continue reading… “The shift to a renting economy might actually be a good thing”
These emerging new businesses are already on track to create one million brand-new jobs in the U.S.
Uber and Instacart are just two examples of online marketplaces that are rapidly transforming the way people get what they want when they want it, whether it’s a ride, a meal, or a pet sitter. These companies are on a hiring spree in order to make this happen, one that’s gone virtually unnoticed by the statisticians and economists who track the labor market.
Continue reading… “Mobile marketplaces are creating a million new jobs in the U.S.”
Electric cars in Norway clog bus lanes.
Norway is a major and rich oil-producing country, but Norway’s ministers are under increasing public pressure to reduce perks and tax breaks for booming electric car sales.
Continue reading… “Norway’s boom in electric car sales has become a big problem”
3d printing is also known as additive manufacturing.
Brian Solis: I follow the Maker Movement as a consumer, analyst and also as a maker. What is the maker movement? It a manifestation of the DIY (Do It Yourself) or DIWO (Do It With Others) culture where everyday people design, build and/or market something that they want or need on their own rather than buying something off the shelf.
Continue reading… “The impact of the Maker Movement on supply chains”
Solar roadway
Scott and Julie Brusaw have faced a constant barrage of skepticism and even outright hostility since they went public with their idea for building solar-powered LED roadways.
The Sahara Forest Project
The Sahara Forest Project is the brainchild of three entrepreneurs, Charlie Paton, Michael Pawlyn and Bill Watts. The project turns the Sahara desert into a source for food, water, and energy. The Sahara Forest Project is a solution that combines seemingly disparate technologies – Concentrated solar power and Seawater Greenhouses – and turns them into a mean, green super-massive biomachine. The elegant system could potentially produce enough energy for all of Africa and Europe while turning one of the world’s most inhospitable regions into a flourishing oasis.
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.