BIONIC EYES
We
may soon be seeing our world through electronic eyes, and they'll be as easy
to use as popping in a contact lens.
A bionic display
consisting of electronic circuits and lights imprinted on a contact lens
would allow wearers to see electronic information superimposed over their
view of the world in front of them. Potential applications include virtual
reality enhancements for video gamers and heads-up displays for pilots and
drivers.
One key challenge was to
find materials that are safe for use in the body, according to Babak Parviz,
assistant professor of electrical engineering at the University of
Washington, where the device is being developed. Because the electronic
circuits can be built from layers of metals only a few nanometers thick,
they can be printed on the delicate, biologically compatible plastic
materials used for contact lenses.
Though the prototype
device does not correct the user's vision, future models will do so. Other
enhancements may include the addition of wireless communication powered by
radio frequency and embedded solar cells.
DETAILS:
University of Washington,
COSMIC COLLISION AHEAD
A massive gas cloud is
hurtling toward the Milky Way at a speed of 150 miles per second, set to
strike our galaxy at about a 45-degree angle. Though the light show will be
spectacular, it's still 8,000 light-years away, so don't look for it for
about another 40 million years.
The leading-edge of the
massive Smith's Cloud, named for its 1963 discoverer, is already interacting
with the Milky Way's gases, and when it hits, the energy will likely ignite
a rush of new star formations, according to Felix J. Lockman of the National
Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Socorro, New Mexico.
"Many of those stars
will be very massive, rushing through their lives very quickly and exploding
as supernovae," says Lockman. "Over a few million years, it'll look like a
celestial New Year's celebration, with huge firecrackers going of in that
region of the galaxy."
The study of the stars
has enabled humanity to navigate, tell time, and plan the future; astronomy
has also advanced the development of new imaging technologies. The NRAO is
operated by Associated Universities Inc., which is now forming a Committee
on the Future of U.S. Radio Astronomy aimed "to determine radio astronomy's
role in answering fundamental questions in astronomy as an integral part of
a broad scientific agenda."
DETAILS:
National Radio Astronomy Observatory,
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ATTENTION
FUTURES AUTHORS!
February 29 is the
deadline for submitting your original essay to the 2008 Conference volume.
We're seeking essays that either reflect the conference theme (Seeing the
Future Through New Eyes) or offer fresh ideas about future-oriented topics
typically covered at World Future Society conferences.
Don't miss your
opportunity to help create a memorable volume for the most important futures
event of the year!
CONFERENCE VOLUME
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: |
U.S. PROGRESS SLOWS IN PREVENTING PREVENTABLE DEATHS
The United States ranks
last among 19 industrialized nations on preventing deaths by assuring access
to effective health care, report researchers at the London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine.
More than 100,000 lives
per year could be spared if U.S. performance equaled the top-ranked
countries on effective health-care measures: France, Japan, and Australia.
All other nations showed
significant improvements in preventing premature deaths between 1997-98 and
2002-03, while progress in the United States slowed. One possible
explanation is an increase in the uninsured populations, according to
authors of the study published in the journal HEALTH AFFAIRS.
"The fact that other
countries are reducing these preventable deaths more rapidly, yet spending
far less, indicates that policy, goals, and efforts to improve health
systems make a difference," notes Cathy Schoen, senior vice president of the
Commonwealth Fund, which supported the study.
SOURCE: HEALTH AFFAIRS
(January-February 2008),
The Commonwealth Fund:
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GIVE A GIFT
THAT'S THOUGHTFUL AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING
Membership in the World
Future Society makes not only a thoughtful gift, but also a wise one--a gift
that will keep provoking thought all year long.
Insightful articles by
industry experts, creative thinkers, and leading intellectuals give you a
new way to think about the trends that are shaping your world--and fresh
ideas for managing those trends to create the future you hope for.
Ideal for clients,
customers, colleagues, teachers, students, friends, family, neighbors,
mentors, and protégés, gift memberships are just $49 for the first
membership and $39 each for additional recipients.
And if there are
full-time students under age 25 on your list, their gift memberships are
just $20 each!
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
OR GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP NOW |
CLICKS OF THE MONTH:
FUTURISTS
GO TO THE MOVIES
For a big-screen view of
the future that peeks beyond the action-packed dystopias of sci-fi
blockbusters, here are two thought-provoking documentaries recently brought
to our attention.
*
THE WORLD WITHOUT US evisions what the world would be like if
a fictional presidential candidate named Turner succeeded in removing U.S.
troops from the international scene. The film debates and explores the
consequences of U.S. isolationism, with expert interviewees such as British
historian Niall Ferguson and former U.S. ambassador James Lilley.
"This documentary struck
me because it took in expert and common opinions from people of all
different races, cultures, and positions," says WFS member Nathan Smythe,
who sent us the tip about THE WORLD WITHOUT US. "It had challenging
questions, and it was still entertaining."
*
THE LINGUISTS follows the work of researchers studying the global
trend of language extinction, with an average of one language disappearing
every two weeks.
In their frequently
risky adventures, the scientists explore the cultural and political
pressures contributing to language loss in vulnerable indigenous
communities. The documentary was funded in part by the National Science
Foundation and premiered at the famed Sundance Film Festival on January 18.
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EXCITEMENT
BUILDS FOR WFS CONFERENCE!
With more than 100
outstanding futurists and professionals confirmed to speak or present at the
Society's next annual conference, the excitement is building! Whose new
perspective will alter your view of the future? And how many others will
benefit from discovering your own unique views?
The goal for WorldFuture
2008: Seeing the Future Through New Eyes, to be held July 26-28 in
Washington, D.C., is to do just that: bring as many different perspectives
together as possible, from all disciplines and all continents and cultures.
In addition to the
outstanding program of plenary sessions, workshops, and panels, you won't
want to miss the preconference courses and special events such as the
all-day Education Summit: Learning for Tomorrow.
LEARN MORE or
REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 29 and save $150 off the on-site registration fee.
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NOW PLAYING ON FUTURE
TV:
Top 10 Forecasts, 2008
NEWS FROM THE
FUTURIST COMMUNITY
* CALL FOR
PARTICIPATION: The World Futures Studies Federation's 20th World
Conference, Transitions: Encouraging Emerging Worlds, will be held June
30-July 3 in Trollhätten, Sweden. Deadline for submitting an abstract of
your paper or presentation is January 31. DETAILS: Contact Marianne Rugård
Järvstråt at
secretariat@wfsf.org or
gittemarianne@tele2.se.
* EXPLORING THE "BRIC"
NATIONS: Social Technologies' new Futures Expeditions series will
explore the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The tours are led
by futurist consultants and local market experts to provide insights
tailored to clients' needs. The first trip is to Hyderabad, India, February
28 through March 4. DETAILS: info@socialtechnologies.com
* EUROPEAN FUTURISTS
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS: Videos, slides, and visual minutes of the
November 2007 European Futurists Conference are now available. Learn about
future business models, brain research, social innovation, mobility trends,
and much more.
DETAILS:
*********************************************
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Attention futurist authors:
The following WFS publications are constantly on the lookout for new essays
and articles presenting trends, forecasts, and ideas about the future.
THE FUTURIST magazine:
http://www.wfs.org/writguid.htm
FUTURES RESEARCH QUARTERLY:
http://www.wfs.org/frq.htm#invite
FUTURE TIMES (online):
http://www.wfs.org/futuretimesmay07.htm
WFS Web Forums (online):
http://www.wfs.org/inter.htm
The World Future Society's 2008 conference volume is also
seeking submissions.
See
http://www.wfs.org/2008volguidelines.htm
FUTURIST UPDATE: News &
Previews from the World Future Society is an e-mail newsletter published
monthly as a supplement to THE FUTURIST magazine. Copyright © 2008,
World Future Society, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 450, Bethesda, MD
20814, USA. Telephone 1-301-656-8274; e-mail
mailto: info@wfs.org ; Web site
http://www.wfs.org .
Editor: Cindy Wagner,
mailto:cwagner@wfs.org
Senior Editor: Patrick
Tucker, mailto:ptucker@wfs.org
Network Administrator: Jeff
Cornish, mailto:jcornish@wfs.org
Vice President,
Membership/Conference Operations: Susan Echard,
mailto: sechard@wfs.org
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your e-mail address, send an e-mail to
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Submit feedback: to
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The WORLD FUTURE SOCIETY is
a nonprofit, nonpartisan scientific and educational association with a
global membership. Regular membership in the Society, including a
subscription to THE FUTURIST, is $49 per year, or $20 for full-time students
under age 25. Professional and Institutional membership programs are also
offered; contact Society headquarters for details:
http://www.wfs.org.
