Future Salon

100 Monkeys revisited ...

I very much like the relaxed dinner after our Salon. The talk at the table usually goes from here to there and always interesting. Last time I mentioned a story that I heard and only now had the time to research. (details) It goes like this: Scientists observed a colony of monkeys on an island that learn a behavior (to wash a sandy sweet potato before eating it). One trains the next and the legend has it that once a certain threshold is reached (~100 monkeys) all in a sudden all apes of the colony wash their potatoes before eating them. Not only that, but from that day onward even a monkey colony one island over also knows to wash sandy potatoes before eating. So some brain syncing has gone on there.

Wouldn't that be nice? Shortcut to world peace: We only need to convince enough people to take us over the threshold, probably a couple more then 100 but for sure just around the corner, and boom enlightenment and peace for the whole world.  

If this sounds esoteric to you, well it is. Someone checked the original notes of the scientist who did the observation. He does not mention a threshold and there were some old geezer apes around that would not change their habit at all. May be they needed the sand to digest :-) who knows.

Bummer, would have been so nice.

3 dimensional printing of tissue ...

The news that 3D printers are able to create/print gadgets with working movable parts amazed me the other week.

Now other scientist succeeded in printing living tissue. O.K. they have ways to go before they can print a whole organ, nevertheless this is quite something. 

After eight long years Kevin is back online ....

Finally, the time is up. Kevin Mitnick, who was bared from using an online computer for the last eight years is online again. Welcome back, Kevin. Only three month ago he was the guest of honor at our Futurist Salon. He is very funny and I hope he writes his side of the story soon, beyond 'the lost chapter'. A taste of his wit will be soon at Slashdot, where they are currently collecting questions to ask him.  

Attention: February Book is 'How the Mind Works' ...

Change of plans, again. Howard Rheingold asked if he could come to our Salon in March rather then February. Therefore the book for February is 'How the Mind Works' from Steven Pinker. It was a toss up last Friday between this book and the Feynman Processor, which did not get very good reviews on Amazon. I exchanged mails with Wayne who is kind enough to prepare next months book and we agreed to go with the Pinker one.

Schedule next two months:

February 21st Wayne Radinsky will introduce Steven Pinker's 'How the mind works'

March 21st Howard Rheingold will present his own book: 'SmartMobs'. If you want to know what SmartMobs are up to, check: SmartMobs.com

This Friday the 17th of January: The future of Success ...

Don't forget the January Futurist Salon: Theme is the future of work.  Robert B. Reich's book: The Future of Success will be used as a bases for our discussion. A reviewer writes: "This is an excellent book if you are interested in understanding what the changes resultant from technological advances will mean to you in the future as a worker, spouse, parent or a member of this society. This is an extremely well written book. I recomend it to all. Robert Reich explains the reasons why many of the events that we are watching in today's society are taking place." With the unemployment rate being over 6% and rising I think it is good to take a closer look.

Also for the future of work check out Tom Peter's new set of slides: How new Business works. He is singularity aware and quoting Verner Vinge, Kurzweil and others. Be warned, my guess is, that he posted over 500 slides there.

See you all on the 17th of January 7pm Barnes and Noble bookstore at the Hillsdale Shopping Center. Dinner afterwords at Ramona's Grill next door.

What are the pressing scientific issues ...

"What are the pressing scientific issues for the nation and the world, and what is your advice on how I can begin to deal with them?" — GWB

Wouldn't that be great if Boy George would ask such a questions? Well, one can dream. Check out the answers.

I especially like this one from Alan Alda: "Above, all, Mr. President, I think your science advisor needs to help you help our country learn to be comfortable with uncertainty, and—as hard as this might be to believe—to put reason ahead of belief."

Change of plans for our Futurist Salon ...

Happy new year to everyone.

Great news: Howard Rheingold agreed to introduce his book Smart Mobs next months at our Futurist Salon on the 21st of February. I just finished the book and like it very much. Lot's of interesting observations that I want to dig deeper into. With him joining our Salon we will have the chance to ask him directly. Don't forget to check the webpage/weblog accompanying his book.

For January therefore the theme will be the future of work. Robert B. Reich's book: The Future of Success will be used as a bases for our discussion. A reviewer writes: "This is an excellent book if you are interested in understanding what the changes resultant from technological advances will mean to you in the future as a worker, spouse, parent or a member of this society. This is an extremely well written book. I recomend it to all. Robert Reich explains the reasons why many of the events that we are watching in today's society are taking place." With the unemployment rate being over 6% and rising I think it is good to take a closer look.

See you all there on the 17th of January 7pm Barnes and Noble bookstore at the Hillsdale Shopping Center.