Ariadne

Crafted bots

Robert Hickson • Aug 31, 2017

• autism,
• DIY,
• robots

We are getting used to seeing sleek, industrial robots. (I’m looking at you Air NZ). And previously I’ve noted some animal-inspired machines. From these and other technological developments we can tend to expect the future to be shiny, hard-edged and efficient. A different approach is being explored with “Blossom” (and others), a DIY soft robot … Read More

Smarter, spongier cities

Robert Hickson • Aug 25, 2017

• design,
• ecology,
• internet of things,
• Smart city,
• urban

There is a great deal of interest, and investment, in developing “smart” cities (and here, here, and here). That is, creating sensor networks to monitor human activities, traffic, waste, water, and environmental conditions to optimise city services and make cities more pleasant places to be in. But there is … Read More

Hopeful futures

Robert Hickson • Jul 15, 2017

• future,
• Society

A few weeks ago I gave a conference talk about using stories to look at the future. I focused on the need to pay more attention to creating stronger story lines and characters. That’s because it is more important to stimulate the audience to explore a range of possible futures than to try and predict what you think may happen. Read More

NZTech suggest a Ministry of the Future

Robert Hickson • May 24, 2017

• foresight,
• governance,
• government,
• policy

NZTech have promoted the creation of a Ministry of the Future in their 2017 Manifesto “New Zealand’s Digital Future“. As a country, we need to wholeheartedly embrace this change, installing a dedicated Ministry of the Future, and Chief Technology Officer, to consider the implications of change across social, economic, educational and all other areas of policy.   … Read More

The darker angles of our futures

Robert Hickson • May 21, 2017

• dystopian,
• future,
• futurist,
• optimism,
• science fiction

Futurists, on the whole, tend to be optimistic. On the other hand, Frank Bures wondered last year why many people (at least in the “West”) tend to gravitate to dystopian futures in novels and films. Is this a  challenge for futurists? Bures’ thoughts have now been turned into a short video:   The “good” times are here … Read More

The autonomous state

Robert Hickson • May 01, 2017

• artificial intelligence,
• government,
• regulation

The biggest fear of artificial intelligence is usually it getting smart enough to get rid of humans. But what if one of the biggest threats is regulating us to death, or at least to subservience? “Efficiency and effectiveness” is a common refrain from those advocating the use of artificial intelligence in government. There is certainly plenty of … Read More

The flying car, nearly here?

Robert Hickson • Apr 21, 2017

• flying cars,
• future,
• transport

A small German-based company, Lilium, has announced that they have successfully tested an electric “flying car”. A ducted fan mini-plane really. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohig71bwRUE   Others are also looking at developing small air-borne taxis. But Lilium is the first to have a working prototype. Initially piloted, but Lilium hopes it can become autonomous and able to be summoned using a smart … Read More

Hoppy meals

Robert Hickson • Apr 20, 2017

• agriculture,
• food,
• future farming,
• trends

Here’s a weak signal associated with changing dietary habits. Grasshoppers were on the menu at a Major League Baseball game in the US recently. At a Seattle Mariners vs Astros game six kilos of spicy grasshoppers sold out. I wrote in October in more detail about some of the trends and challenges associated with traditional western food consumption. Read More

Death and resurrection

Robert Hickson • Apr 17, 2017

• death,
• longevity,
• Society,
• transhumanist,
• trends

The oldest person in the world has died, aged 117. Life expectancy in Italy in 1899 when she was born was 44 years. She wasn’t the oldest; the current record is 122. NZ’s oldest living person is 109, although the oldest so far reached 113 years. Life expectancy in New Zealand has, as elsewhere, risen … Read More

Foresight as a gravitational force

Robert Hickson • Mar 21, 2017

• anticipatory governance,
• foresight

Jonathan Boston, of Victoria University, is launching two books this week on anticipatory governance. These are based on his study tour looking at how other governments look ahead. One, Safeguarding the future, from Bridget Williams Books is an extended précis of his larger Governing for the future. Jonathan notes New Zealand and many other governments have … Read More