futurism
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As books go online, publishers run for cover
"Unlike record companies, which faced the double whammy of the iPod and illegal file sharing, the online market has given book publishers some breathing room." Hmmm. Via Grumpy Old Bookman.Viridian Redux
"Sterling figured design movements like futurism and dadaism had been effective in [...] driving new ways of thinking about the world and its problems, so he started the Viridian Design movement.Implant Rejection
"Until we reach a stage where nano-magical systems can rewire our brains at will, I don't see non-therapeutic brain implants ever becoming popular." Jamais Cascio shines a light on a classicEpson Unveils 7.1″ QXGA E-Paper
...meanwhile, here's one from Epsom.Has science fiction gone future-blind?
"The predictions and ideas Doctorow is discussing are no news [...] I can’t imagine that they are too unfamiliar to anyone working in the publishing industry - especially that of sf, which has alScaling up is good. Scaling *down* is even better.
Chris 'Long Tail' Anderson raps about the new economics, and the success of new business models.How Far a Frontier?
"When is a space mission too expensive to fly?" Seems there's no shortage of money, just other things to spend it on - no change there, then, but maybe we'll see a shift in the future.Fly by light
"Roger Shawyer has developed an engine with no moving parts that he believes can replace rockets and make trains, planes and automobiles obsolete." A propellant-free propulsion device ... anViridian Note 00475
"A glum and comprehensive fit of handwringing as it dawns on everybody that matters that climate change is not just "an issue" but destined to become "the" issue." BruceBetting on a Long-Term Future
"A partial spinoff from the Long Now called the Long Bets Foundation is increasingly active in providing a competitive arena for predictions about the future."Thawing soil in permafrost a significant source of carbon
It's not just bad, it's worse.Walker Takes Shape
"Here he is, ladies and gentlemen, fresh from the 3D printer and ready for his close-up..." SecondLifer gets a fabbed miniature of his avatar made. The membranes are becoming more permeableThe Next Big Thing
"...the Web for many will become the cliched 3D virtual reality that has been so overused as a literary and cinematic device that most of us have forgotten how compelling that vision was when itRuBee protocol overcomes RFID shortcomings
Spimes alert! The tin-foil hat just became obsolete - these new tags work magnetically, and they are planning to make them talk to the internet directly! I am mailing this to Bruce Sterling, right nowWill Open Source Software Rule the World?
"Open source sounds like a great idea, in theory. But so does socialism. And while I'm not ready to throw in the towel on socialism either, let's just say that thus far it hasn't performed as welCheap, Transparent, and Flexible Displays
"New high-performance transistors could lead to windows and helmet visors that double as high-quality displays."Hawking Says Humans Must Colonize Space
Genius physicist joins my campaign to get the human race off-planet. Well, he said it off his own back really, but I'm sure he'd support me in one of my futurist rants at the pub. Go Steve! Big up yo'Move Into Space, but Where?
"While the question is not a pressing one for most people, for the futurists mapping the humans path to space, the destination makes all the difference in the world." Orbital colonies get myHow Much More Can We Do With Less?
Post at Worldchanging regarding using the world's resources more effectively, and just how easy it would actually be.