ROBOTS FOR HANDICAPPED BABIES
Babies need to move
around independently and explore their environments. Not doing so can impair
their cognitive development.
Infants with Down
syndrome or other handicaps need extra help to explore their worlds, and at
present there are no power-assisted wheelchairs for youngsters under the age
of five or six, long after the age of rapid brain development.
So the University of
Delaware has developed prototype driving robots for babies. James C.
Galloway, associate professor of physical therapy, and Sunil Agrawal,
professor of mechanical engineering, have equipped the robots with
environmental sensors and safety features that will help babies explore
without crashing into pets, furniture, or other obstacles. The robot's
simple joystick control is easy enough for infants as young as seven months
to operate.
The researchers' goal is
to place such robots in all learning centers where children have special
needs. "It was a special feeling to see a potential solution to a really
serious health-care gap for young kids,"
says Galloway. "There
was and still is a special tingle when we think of the not so distant
future."
SOURCE:
University of Delaware
DO FISH FARMS IMPERIL WILD SALMON?
Parasitic lice
infections in salmon farms may be driving a dramatic decline in wild salmon
populations. According to a study by the University of Alberta, affected
pink salmon populations may see a 99% collapse in another four years if the
infestation continues.
Wild salmon are affected
by the fish farm infestations because they are exposed to the parasites on
their way through a gauntlet of open-net fish farms before they reach the
sea; adult salmon can survive a small number of lice but the juveniles
cannot.
"Salmon farming breaks a
natural law," says the study's co-author, Alexandra Morton. "In the natural
system, the youngest salmon are not exposed to sea lice because the adult
salmon that carry the parasite are offshore. But fish farms cause a deadly
collision between the vulnerable young salmon and sea lice."
Temporarily shutting
down the fish farms along the primary salmon migratory routes, thus
eliminating the exposure of wild salmon to the lice, could be one solution.
SOURCE:
University of Alberta
|
WFS
CONFERENCE WILL HELP YOU SEE THE FUTURE THROUGH NEW EYES
More than 90 outstanding
futurists and professionals from a wide variety of disciplines have already
been confirmed as presenters at WorldFuture 2008: Seeing the Future Through
New Eyes, the Society's next annual conference, to be held July 26-28 in
Washington, D.C.
Among those you'll have
the opportunity to exchange ideas with are Asia Aslam, research manager for
Cisco Corporation; Molly J. Coye, the founder and CEO of Health Technology
Center (HealthTech) and a former Commissioner of Health for the State of New
Jersey; international affairs professor Leon S. Fuerth, who served as Vice
President Al Gore's national security adviser; and WFS founding president
Edward Cornish.
In addition to the
general sessions, an exciting program of special events, preconference
courses, professional meetings, and networking opportunities is in the
works.
LEARN MORE:
http://www.wfs.org/2008main.htm
REGISTER BY DECEMBER 31
and save $200 off the on-site registration fee:
https://www.wfs.org/2008regform.htm
CONFERENCE VOLUME
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
http://www.wfs.org/2008volguidelines.htm
CONFERENCE VOLUME
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
http://www.wfs.org/2008volguidelines.htm |
TRENDS IN CONSUMER BEHAVIOR
Consumption in the
future will be more cooperative, predicts advertising giant J. Walter
Thompson. Extending the "time-share" model for owning a vacation home,
consumers will increasingly accept fractional ownership of art work, cars,
and other high-end products, according to JWT's "10 Trends for 2008" report.
More trends under JWT's
scrutiny:
* As the genetic links
are identified for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and high blood
pressure, look for commercial genetic testing services promoted alongside
pharmaceutical ads.
* Consumers are
rethinking "instant gratification" and choosing to hold off buying mass
merchandise in favor of custom made or one-of-a-kind products and services.
* Demographic
"pigeonholing" will become less useful to marketers, as consumers change
their behaviors--such as when they marry or attend school and for how
long--in less predictable ways. Marketers and others will focus on
behavioral segmentation rather than age when targeting their campaigns.
* Blue is the new green.
Products that lessen impacts on climate? Been there, done that. What
consumers will really be looking for in the future is "blue," the color of
spiritual fulfillment and good-citizen ethics.
DETAILS:
JWT
|
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!
GIVE GIFT MEMBERSHIPS
NOW |
CLICK OF THE MONTH:
CLICK OF THE MONTH: LEGACY LETTER PROJECT
"Make a list of things
you have survived and keep it where you can see it often." Sharon Stubbs
"Don't speak those
cutting words you are always sorry for later." Lynn Campbell
"Others give meaning to
our lives. Be interested in others and you will be interesting to others. Be
committed to others and they will be committed to you." Willard "Sandy" Boyd
(president emeritus, University of Iowa)
These simple bits of
wisdom come from contributors to the online Legacy Letter Project, the
brainchild of University of Iowa leisure studies lecturer David Gould.
The project began when
Gould invited senior citizens in the community to share their life lessons
with his students; as the project grew, Gould began receiving letters from
as far away as Venezuela, connecting not only generations, but cultures as
well.
"From the students'
perspective, there's an unsaid need to want to know what's down the road,"
says Gould. "And the authors are thrilled to be asked. You live 70, 80 years
and endure a host of high points and low points to arrive where you are."
The site also includes
information on how to submit your own legacy letter.
DETAILS:
University of Iowa
NOW PLAYING ON FUTURE
TV:
Top 10 Forecasts, 2008
NEWS FROM THE
FUTURIST COMMUNITY
*
MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM IN FUTURES STUDIES: At this two-year program
of Futures Studies organized in Turku, Finland, students gain their master's
degree in economic sciences along with the expertise in future business and
in the business of the future. The program focuses on strategic thinking,
visionary management, foresight, sustainable futures, and futures studies
methods, theories, and practices. All teaching is given in English. Deadline
for the applications is on January 31, 2008.
DETAILS: or
PDF
* NEW LEADERSHIP AT
INSTITUTE FOR THE FUTURE: Stephen Steele steps down on January 1 from
his longtime position as director of the Institute for the Future at Anne
Arundel Community College. He will be succeeded by faculty members Steven
Henick, a retired international business executive, and Maureen Sherer,
co-editor of the Institute's electronic newsletter Futureportal. Steele will
continue his association with the Institute as a professor of sociology and
futures studies.
DETAILS:
IF@AACC
* EDITOR'S THANKS!
The response was overwhelmingly positive to our inquiry last month on
the possibility of a separate monthly newsletter exclusively covering News
from the Futurist Community. While we are developing the format of the new
Community Newsletter, please continue to watch this space in Futurist Update
for news of interest to futurists around the world.
*********************************************
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 © 2007,
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
Associate 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
To subscribe, enter your
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To unsubscribe or change
your e-mail address, send an e-mail to
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Submit feedback: to
cwagner@wfs.org
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.
