Ariadne

The once and future farmer

Robert Hickson • Sep 16, 2017

• agriculture,
• innovation,
• Netherlands,
• New Zealand,
• Sustainability,
• water management

In our own cultural memory New Zealand used to have the best farming system in the world. No more, according to some. Two recent articles about the Netherlands illustrate how we are falling behind in some ways, and can provide a stimulus for how we can do better. National Geographic highlights the Netherland’s sustainable agricultural system in … Read More

Electric avenue

Robert Hickson • Sep 08, 2017

• electric vehicles,
• New Zealand,
• Sustainability,
• transport,
• urban

Where to with electric vehicles? Christchurch is introducing a fleet of electric cars, for business and public use. That’s adding about 100 new electric vehicles (“EV”) cars to the existing 3,000 in NZ. That’s less than 0.1% of the over 3.5 million light vehicles registered here. Source: NZ Transport Agency   … Read More

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