In this livestream we are joined by Warren Lafountain to discuss Futurism and Futurist topics.

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • CRISPR
  • Self-driving Cars
  • Blockchain

Futurism is not about predicting the future: It is about reducing uncertainty by engaging discussions about unpredictable outcomes. We all know that disruptive change will come, but how should be treat it? What value can be derived by speculating about the future? What methods can serve us well in reducing uncertainty?

thumbnail for Futurism youtube video

Rule 1: Forget about Predictions

Rule #1 of Futures Thinking is forget about predictions. Futures Thinking is about reducing uncertainty, and building readiness for an uncertain future. By exploring our goals, desires, and beliefs about the future we can uncover patterns, recognize signals of disruption, and promote readiness.

References

Blockchain

http://graphics.reuters.com/TECHNOLOGY-BLOCKCHAIN/010070P11GN/index.html

Futurism and Futures Thinking

Gorbis, M. [Mar 11, 2019]. Five Principles for Thinking Like a Futurist. EDUCAUSE Review. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2019/3/five-principles-for-thinking-like-a-futurist

(Un)Ethical Futures Conference Reading List 2017

Surfing Uncertainty: Prediction, Action, and the Embodied Mind

Futurism.com https://futurism.com/

Webb, A. [Mar 11, 2020]. How Futurists Cope with Uncertainty. The Startup. https://medium.com/swlh/how-futurists-cope-with-uncertainty-a4fbdff4b8c6

No Author. [Aug, 2019]. The Axes of Uncertainty. Future Today Institute. https://futuretodayinstitute.com/mu_uploads/2019/08/FTI_Axes.pdf

CRISPR

Molteni, M., Huckins, G. [Aug 1, 2020]. The WIRED Guide to Cripr. Wired Magazine. https://www.wired.com/story/wired-guide-to-crispr/

No Author. [n.d.] Questions and Answers about CRISPR. The Broad Institute. https://www.broadinstitute.org/what-broad/areas-focus/project-spotlight/questions-and-answers-about-crispr

Cohen, J. [n.d.] CRISPR Articles. Science. https://www.sciencemag.org/topic/crispr

Machine Learning

Martin, S. [Sep 2, 2019]. Top 7 Machine Learning Methods that Every Data Scientist Must Know. Towards Data Science. https://towardsdatascience.com/top-7-machine-learning-methods-that-every-data-scientist-must-know-84f5e5352ae1

Castanon, J. [May 1, 2019]. 10 Machine Learning Methods that Every Data Scientist Should Know. Toward Data Science. https://towardsdatascience.com/10-machine-learning-methods-that-every-data-scientist-should-know-3cc96e0eeee9

Kaggle. [n.d.]. Intro to Machine Learning. Kaggle Website. https://www.kaggle.com/learn/intro-to-machine-learning

No Author. [n.d.]. Introduction to Machine Learning Methods. EDUCBA Website. https://www.educba.com/machine-learning-methods/

Piper, K. [Aug 13, 2020]. GPT-3, explained: This new language AI is uncanny, funny - and a big deal. Vox. https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21355768/gpt-3-ai-openai-turing-test-language

Decision Intelligence / Decision Science

Kozyrkov, C. [Mar 19, 2020]. What does uncertainty mean. Towards Data Science. https://towardsdatascience.com/introduction-to-decision-intelligence-5d147ddab767

Kozyrkov, C. [Aug 2, 2019]. Introduction to Decision Intelligence. Towards Data Science. https://towardsdatascience.com/introduction-to-decision-intelligence-5d147ddab767

Dowsett, C. [Jan 24, 2019]. Data Science vs Decision Science. Towards Data Science. https://towardsdatascience.com/data-science-vs-decision-science-8f8d53ce25da

Nanotechnology

Engines of Creation 2.0: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology

The Foresight Institute https://foresight.org/

Transhumanism

Natural-Born Cyborgs: Minds, Technologies, and the Future of Human Intelligence

Being There: Putting Brain, Body, and World Together Again

Great Mambo Chicken and the Transhuman Condition: Science Slightly Over the Edge