The May Forum (May 26) of the Columbus Futurists will feature a presentation and discussion lead by Gordon Aubrecht, of the Ohio State University on the topic: “The Future of Nuclear Power after Fukushima Dai-ichi.” Dr. Aubrecht is a recognized expert on the subject, and we look forward to a definitive description of the situation on theContinueContinue reading “May Forum: Future of Nuclear Power after Fukushima Dai-chi”
Author Archives: Columbus Futurists
May Book Circle: Managing the Future
The monthly Book Circle of the Columbus Futurists will be reading and discussing local futurist Stephen Millett’s soon-to-be-published book, Managing the Future. The current draft of the book is available online. The group meets this month on May 19, at Panera Bread Co., 875 Bethel Rd., 7:00 – 8:30 pm. — Rich Bowers
April Forum: Are America’s best days behind us?
The Columbus Futurists met on Thursday April 28, and discussed Fareed Zakaria’s article “Are America’s Best Days Behind Us?” (Newsweek, March 3, 2011). One of the largest groups in recent times attended, and a lively discussion touched on key issues in the article, including: What is the definition of “best”? Are we in a detectableContinueContinue reading “April Forum: Are America’s best days behind us?”
Pick A Future Winner
Theoretically, one benefit of knowing what is going to happen – is being able to prepare for that situation. There is a better chance of taking advantage of future eventualities if one is prepared for those possibilities: public systems, policies and events can be better utilized for the general good if we can plan todayContinueContinue reading “Pick A Future Winner”
Glorious Shoulders: Celebrating 350 Years of the Royal Society
Isaac Newton said “If I have seen further, it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.” The strength of that acknowledgement began formally 350 years ago, as the giants began to gather physically and through direct communications to explore the world around them. The result was – and remains – the Royal Society,ContinueContinue reading “Glorious Shoulders: Celebrating 350 Years of the Royal Society”
On Machine Ethics
The most recent meeting of Columbus Futurists delved into the topic of IBM’s trivia-savvy supercomputer Watson and his most recent performance on Jeopardy. Some of the discussion had to do with the thorny issue of machine ethics, based on the very human fears that machines may become intelligent in unintended ways and make ethical decisionsContinueContinue reading “On Machine Ethics”
The Forgotten Question: Why?
Over the years, I’ve reviewed a couple of hundred long-term and annual business plans and a few dozen proposals for new products or projects. These business plans almost inevitably followed the cookbook approach you would find in any modern business school curriculum: a review of past and recent financial results; a simplistic SWOT analysis thatContinueContinue reading “The Forgotten Question: Why?”
The New Model Revolution for 2011
As I watched and listened to events unfolding in Egypt the last three weeks , I had a nagging feeling that there was something new here, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then it occurred to me. Like a twist in a detective story, I realized that – for a million people inContinueContinue reading “The New Model Revolution for 2011”
Revisiting Future Shock
It’s been forty years since the publication of Future Shock, Alvin Toffler’s 500-page manifesto about the acceleration of change and its impact on individuals and society as a whole. I remember reading it soon after it came out (it was about the same time that I read the Whole Earth Catalog, Silent Spring, and TheContinueContinue reading “Revisiting Future Shock”
Even “innovation” is a 2-edged sword in a quest for growth
The TechColumbus Innovation Awards last week give us yet another opportunity to praise the innovators in our culture. Seems like our entire economy hinges on innovation – and particularly new ideas and new companies in the high tech sector. But there are some who are questioning the actual track record of innovation – as we know it – inContinueContinue reading “Even “innovation” is a 2-edged sword in a quest for growth”
Columbus Futurists 