Nine Night!

Brief Overview/Summary

Today's class is about Emerging & Future Technologies :)

Many ideas were explored, some of which are really interesting!

The videos shown helped to highlight some of the possibly (emerging) technologies like Claytronics, Plastic Electronics, Augmented Reality and Carbon Nanotechnology!

Other topics which we touched on includes drivers of such emerging technologies and the new innovations themselves. Drivers would include the simple demand and supply, unmet market opportunities and needs. Some interesting new and emerging technologies highlighted in today's session include biotechnologies, robotics, biometric technologies, artificial intelligence and etc. 

Interesting Observations and Ideas

Personally, I found Augmented Reality especially especially interesting and intriguing! It would be such a great convenience to get information by simply doing a scan! However, as much as such a system would give great efficiency and increase productivity, in my opinion, if such a technology is applied to human beings... won't it be a total nightmare? Seems like if such features of the technology can be applied to human's information, it is almost equivalent to the Death God's eyes (in the fictional movie/comics Death Note). The issue of protecting private information will be a great controversy, and unless this issue can be resolved, I think resources set into this technology should be slightly held back.

Another interesting observation I had from today's session was how all the emerging technology highlighted today are actually very much interrelated! For example, my presentation topic was on touch technology and in order to maximize the potential of touch technology, electronic paper ( as presented by  Yirong) and usage of full body coordination (during the Xbox presentation) would be technologies which are very much involved. All in all, the idea which i got is that Mankind as a whole, is moving towards progress and advancement in so many areas that improvements in any particular sector/area will have ripple effects which are beneficial to others. But then again, with beneficial ripple effects... there're bound to be detrimental effects too >< Which... shall not be discussed there as of now :P Simply because I am simply too excited about the various technological breakthroughs that may be occuring in the very near future. Or rather, I sincerely wish that the technological advancements can help to solve the difficulties they themselves bring along ><

Key Takeaways

Augmented Reality is the WAY TO GO! (if we can resolve the possible ethical controversies ><)

Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. 

Issues for Further Discussion 

I wished some time could be spent on talking about how the various technologies actually complement and aid in each other's advancement and development!

Personal Ratings

8/10

All the discussion points which were raised after all the presentations were really engaging and mind provoking!!!

Eight in an Egg

Brief Overview/Summary

Energy and World Change is the topic of the day! 

We discussed the various sources of energy and how new discoveries and innovation of new technologies help to reap benefits to Mankind.

Interesting Observations and Ideas

OMG the video on new habits and new technology to save the earth is SOOOO cute haha...

One of the more interesting ideas that was brought out during the discussion is the potential energy which can be reaped from the Sun! It is indeed true that the Sun is a powerful source of energy which has yet to be fully tapped on. I believe there is still much potential in solar energy and with the increasing pace of innovation and change in today's world, it is not surprising at all that we will be using the Sun's energy efficiently and effectively in time to come. 

Another very interesting point which was brought up is the benefits behind the transition to fossi fuels. It has been an old discussion (for the longest time) that Mankind's exploitation of fossil fuels has brought about very detrimental effects to Mother Earth. 

That was what I thought so to... that despite all the factual benefits (e.g. powering of cars, industries and machines), the damage which the burning of fossil fuels created (e.g. global warming) outweighs the benefits it brought about. 

Well... if Mother Earth is going to die (i.e. Mankind will die too) from the detrimental effects of burning fossil fuels, I don't see how the progress and monetary benefits fossil fuels bring about is of any significance. 

Key Takeaways

If it is possible, Singapore should follow the footsteps of Germany. I find Germany's aim in doing its part in the conservation of environment very admirable. If more countries can place environmental conservation on a higher priority on their to-do-list, I believe global warming can be alleviated to a better extent.

Cash incentives WORKS! 

As can be seen from the National Renewable Energy Act... Too bad Spore is such a small country, otherwise the implementation of this Act will definitely attract large number of people (those who want to earn an extra income). Perhaps this model can be better advocated in other countries (E.g China!)

Issues for Further Discussion

I think more air time should be given to Patrick's topic on Co2. That idea was really fascinating! Although the mechanics seems very complex... I supposed the discuss on this topic would bring greater understanding regarding the possibility of such a technology!

Personal Ratings

8/10! It was a rather fruitful session :)