Comments for The future - a rough guide http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com a sceptical look at visions of the future - past and present - by Jon Turney Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:18:22 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on when the future was cool by Robin Hanson http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/when-the-future-was-cool/#comment-302 Robin Hanson Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:18:22 +0000 http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/?p=133#comment-302 It is indeed a remarkable vid! It is indeed a remarkable vid!

]]> Comment on Near future fiction by jonturney http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/near-future-fiction/#comment-291 jonturney Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:12:28 +0000 http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/?p=137#comment-291 BTW, it gets more complicated toward the end, with so many of the many worlds the plot almost trips up over the usual hazard of getting too far into quantum stuff: it turns into magic, and is thus drained of narrative interest. BTW, it gets more complicated toward the end, with so many of the many worlds the plot almost trips up over the usual hazard of getting too far into quantum stuff: it turns into magic, and is thus drained of narrative interest.

]]> Comment on Questions, questions by ian page http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/questions-questions/#comment-289 ian page Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:33:14 +0000 http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/?p=127#comment-289 +50 Years Hope: That we will live in a post extractive, flow oriented society Fear: That we will leave the transition too late and fall in the gap between the two economic and production styles confusing money with real resources. ( what is the exchange rate between a City financier and a potato- it depends on how fat the financier is and how hungry you are) Bet: It will be a very difficult transition, with a different group of countries as the new economic leaders and food disaster, low level war ( congo style) and disease widespread +50 Years

Hope: That we will live in a post extractive, flow oriented society

Fear: That we will leave the transition too late and fall in the gap between the two economic and production styles confusing money with real resources. ( what is the exchange rate between a City financier and a potato- it depends on how fat the financier is and how hungry you are)

Bet: It will be a very difficult transition, with a different group of countries as the new economic leaders and food disaster, low level war ( congo style) and disease widespread

]]> Comment on more on little helpers by jonturney http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/more-on-little-helpers/#comment-265 jonturney Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:57:48 +0000 http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/?p=112#comment-265 Maybe so - though I think ad revenue is key (but then I read this piece for free online) did take out a real paid-for-with-money sub for the new attempt at a UK edition of Wired, though, 'cos it is about the future, which will be full of shiny new toys apparently - just like the future always used to be! Maybe so – though I think ad revenue is key (but then I read this piece for free online)

did take out a real paid-for-with-money sub for the new attempt at a UK edition of Wired, though, ‘cos it is about the future, which will be full of shiny new toys apparently – just like the future always used to be!

]]> Comment on more on little helpers by Steve Freeman http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/more-on-little-helpers/#comment-264 Steve Freeman Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:10:00 +0000 http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/?p=112#comment-264 We read it too. While the dailies may be in trouble, because they stripped out the content years ago and have been living off the fat ever since, I expect the New Yorker to survive because they provide something worth paying for. We read it too. While the dailies may be in trouble, because they stripped out the content years ago and have been living off the fat ever since, I expect the New Yorker to survive because they provide something worth paying for.

]]> Comment on how fiction shapes innovation by jonturney http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/how-fiction-shapes-innovation/#comment-263 jonturney Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:56:16 +0000 http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/?p=104#comment-263 Yes, I liked Disch's book - in fact I like all his books, even the poetry! And my mobile is definitely Star Trek style, even though that now seems slightly outmoded, so I had to whip it out during the talk... Yes, I liked Disch’s book – in fact I like all his books, even the poetry!
And my mobile is definitely Star Trek style, even though that now seems slightly outmoded, so I had to whip it out during the talk…

]]> Comment on how fiction shapes innovation by Oliver http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/how-fiction-shapes-innovation/#comment-262 Oliver Sat, 11 Apr 2009 09:45:58 +0000 http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/?p=104#comment-262 @steve: has to be wrong. Pompidou centre designed in the early 1970s, Bladerunner in filmed in the early 1980s Various trekker examples: clamshell phones had an obvious reference to ST communicators that resonated with users even if not an overt plan by designers. Automatic doors also more routinely visualised in star trek than anywhere else before their eventual introduction. Bruce Franklin's "War Stars" is excellent on the general ways in which the fiction of superweaponry has made space for the reality. There's also Tom Disch's "The dreams our stuff is made of" http://bit.ly/1e2jaQ @steve: has to be wrong. Pompidou centre designed in the early 1970s, Bladerunner in filmed in the early 1980s

Various trekker examples: clamshell phones had an obvious reference to ST communicators that resonated with users even if not an overt plan by designers. Automatic doors also more routinely visualised in star trek than anywhere else before their eventual introduction.

Bruce Franklin’s “War Stars” is excellent on the general ways in which the fiction of superweaponry has made space for the reality. There’s also Tom Disch’s “The dreams our stuff is made of” http://bit.ly/1e2jaQ

]]> Comment on how fiction shapes innovation by Steve Freeman http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/how-fiction-shapes-innovation/#comment-254 Steve Freeman Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:59:43 +0000 http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/?p=104#comment-254 In one of the extra videos on the Blade Runner DVD, Ridley Scott talks about how they stuck pipes and fittings on the buildings to make a standard backlot set look futuristic, mainly to save money. Apparently, Richard Rogers later told Scott that this was a direct inspiration for the Pompidou Centre and similar buildings. In one of the extra videos on the Blade Runner DVD, Ridley Scott talks about how they stuck pipes and fittings on the buildings to make a standard backlot set look futuristic, mainly to save money. Apparently, Richard Rogers later told Scott that this was a direct inspiration for the Pompidou Centre and similar buildings.

]]> Comment on About by jonturney http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/about/#comment-131 jonturney Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:43:35 +0000 #comment-131 Jamie, Glad you enjoy the blog (even if you think I am called Luke...) Afraid I am happily self-employed, so I don't really have much knowledge of commercial/consulting futurists. You might have a look/sign up at the Shaping Tomorrow website - http://www.shapingtomorrow.com - for some ideas/contacts, though recent talk there has been about people cutting back rather than recruiting I'm afraid. Jamie,

Glad you enjoy the blog (even if you think I am called Luke…)

Afraid I am happily self-employed, so I don’t really have much knowledge of commercial/consulting futurists. You might have a look/sign up at the Shaping Tomorrow website – http://www.shapingtomorrow.com – for some ideas/contacts, though recent talk there has been about people cutting back rather than recruiting I’m afraid.

]]> Comment on About by jamie hamilton http://unreliablefutures.wordpress.com/about/#comment-130 jamie hamilton Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:50:01 +0000 #comment-130 Hi Luke I really enjoy your blog and you seem very knowledgeable on the futures field. I would really like your opinion on something if you have a moment. I am a recent graduate who is very eager to begin my career in this consulting field, preferably on the commercial side. I see there are several lists containing a plethora of firms that make up this space, which is great, but I am wondering if you could help me delineate some of the top international firms in the world with regard to 1)Globally recognized and influential 2)Most extensive database 3)Most prestigious clients Who is the cream of the crop in your opinion? Who would you love to work for? Any names or direction would be greatly appreciated if you have a moment so I can research them further. Many thanks! Jamie Hi Luke

I really enjoy your blog and you seem very knowledgeable on the futures field. I would really like your opinion on something if you have a moment. I am a recent graduate who is very eager to begin my career in this consulting field, preferably on the commercial side. I see there are several lists containing a plethora of firms that make up this space, which is great, but I am wondering if you could help me delineate some of the top international firms in the world with regard to

1)Globally recognized and influential
2)Most extensive database
3)Most prestigious clients

Who is the cream of the crop in your opinion?
Who would you love to work for?

Any names or direction would be greatly appreciated if you have a moment so I can research them further.

Many thanks!
Jamie

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