Futuring with The Futurist Society

Founded in 1966, the Futurist Society is a nonprofit educational and scientific organization with members in over 80 countries. This Society of futuristic thinkers investigate how social, economic, and technological developments are shaping the future.

Forecast #3 Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology or Nanotech for short has emerged as a new and exciting medical research field. I can remember a movie in the 60’s with a nanotech theme called the Fantastic Voyage. Anyone else remember this show? I never thought this type of medical treatment would be possible in my lifetime. With Nanotechnology, the possibilities are endless. Repairing eyesight as mentioned by the Futurist Magazine in forecast #3, or repairing neurons in the brain to essential wipeout Alzheimer’s disease . Nanotechnology offers unique opportunities for diagnosing, treating, and preventing all types of diseases. Nanotechnology could in fact lead to cell repair machines directed by computers to repair damaged cells or eradicate tumors or viruses. These medical advancements all lead to a better quality of life for all of us in less evasive procedures.

http://www.wfs.org/Forecasts_From_The_Futurist_Magazine

Transition to a Sustainable World

Organic farming in Technology

After reading William Halal’s book “Technology’s Promise,” I marveled at the hundred or so experts that worked together around the globe in forecasting technology using the TechCast Method. The TechCast Project itself forecasts futuristic predictions in all fields of social or economic impact. This forcasting is based in scientific method by gathering the best background data available and orgainzing into a careful analysis of each technology.
One Chapter I found of interest was the chapter on the Transition to a Sustainable World. As I read, I found myself thinking of self sustaining technologies and what I would do if there ever came a time when I could no longer just walk down to the grocery store and buy whatever food I wanted. Could that ever happen? This chapter also brought to mind a reminder of the world’s population growth and the issues we face in the future(30+ years). I particularly found the section on organic farming interesting as anyone can be an organic farmer. With the growing population, we are expected to see some depletion of reliable food sources when the earths population reaches 10 billion. When that happens, we all need to know a little about organic farming.
We already know the use of chemicals in farming isn’t good for the soil or for human consumption. The Organic farming area is expected to be the highest growth sector in the food business. Studies find that organic farming uses less resources , maintains higher crop yields, improves the soil, produces higher profits reduces drought and erosion, and protects the environment. Organic farming is a win/win situation and TechCast studies estimate 30% of farmland will be using organic methods by the year 2022 (Halal, 2008)

References
Halal, W. (2008). Technology’s Promise: Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK, and New York: Palgrave Macmillan.