I have always wondered where my jetpack is. Futurists can get things spectacularly wrong, but that’s ok. The purpose of our next project is to have you think deeply about a specific future trend/problem/opportunity/conundrum and then explain to us what you find out.
Research 1 of 30 possible futures, write an expository paper with (at least 2 experiments or studies, 2 think pieces, 2 blogs, 1 personal contact) that details what we know now, what experts think might happen, what you think might happen, and why it all matters. Then create a short 2-3 minute presentation describing your findings.
1. Nanotechnology: Will technology create everything or dissolve the Universe in Grey goo.
2. Surveillance Nation: Will the improvement and declining cost of surveillance technology change the notions of privacy and our relationship with government?
3. My twin, myself: How will various types of cloning impact our sense of human nature and value.
4. Robots for All: Will robots and other mechanical devices take care of everything?
5. Drugs for the mind: Will we able to take drugs to make us smarter, more ethical, more fun?
6. Custom Kids: What will the impact of genetic testing and IVF have on the evolution of the human race?
7. Peak Oil: What do we do when we run out of oil?
8. Bioterrorism: As it becomes easier and easier to make viruses, how do we protect ourselves?
9. Vinge's School: What will school look like in the future?
10. Info War: Will cyberattacks be they next frontier of war?
11. Identity at Risk: How will they know you are you?
12. Downloading personality: Could you store everything that is meaningfully you with 1s and 0s?
13. Artificial Intelligence: When will my computer be smarter than me? Has it already happened?
14. Replacement Parts: Can I get a better arm, leg, pituitary gland…
15. Global Warming: What happens when the greenhouse really kicks in?
16. No H2O: How do we make sure that the water will flow?
17. Overpopulation: Is there a such thing as too many people?
18. Extended life: What would happen if people live to be 200?
19. Where’s the Beef?: Could our food system collapse? How will we eat in 100 years?
20. Take Me to you Leader: Are we ever going to get out of this solar system?
21. Supervirus!: Killer Flu sweept through the world.
22. World of Superheroes: Nanotechnology and genetic advancs create a world of posthumans.
23. Handmaid's Tale: Reproduction becomes controlled by the State.
24. Beam Me Up, Scotty: Instantaneous transportation becomes feasible.
25. XX: Women take over; Men aren't needed.
26. Jurassic Park: We bring back Wooly Mammoths and Friends!
27. Hadron Collider: Black holes for everyone!
28. No more trees: What will we do for O and CO2?
29. Time Machine: Will we hurt our own grandmother's grandmother?
30. (insert your future here): Surprise us.
31. Children of Men: We can't reproduce. Havok ensues.
Resources:
Ideas for Paper Organization
1) What we know now: Explain and describe that state of current research. Quote, cite, and show specifics.
2) What experts think might happen: Relate what some smarty pants thinkers are suggesting or speculating about.
3) What you think might happen: Now you weigh in. What do you think is likely?
4) Why it all matters: What does this mean for humanity? Is this a good thing or bad thing? How can we stop it or accelerate it?
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