Technology
Why Does Culture Sometimes Evolve Via Sudden Bursts Of Innovation?
Human beings inherit many genetic traits directly from their parents. However, cultural traits – tools, beliefs and behaviors that are transmitted by learning – can be passed on not only by parents but also teachers and peers. Many animals have learned behaviors, but people are uniquely good at building on existing knowledge to innovate further. …
Futurology: How A Group Of Visionaries Looked Beyond The Possible A Century Ago And Predicted Today’s World
From shamanic ritual to horoscopes, humans have always tried to predict the future. Today, trusting predictions and prophecies has become part of daily life. From the weather forecast to the time the sat-nav says we will reach our destination, our lives are built around futuristic fictions. Of course, while we may sometimes feel betrayed by …
What Will A Future Energy Market Look Like?
The recent years have been witness to various developments in the energy sector. With this, has it ever occurred to you what will be the state of the energy industry in the future? Multinational consultancy firm Arup discusses this matter in their recent paper, “Energy systems: A view from 2035 What will a future energy …
Top 10 Emerging Technologies Of 2019
The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released a report detailing the ten “world-changing technologies that are poised to rattle the status quo.” Let’s see for ourselves what these technologies have to offer. 1. Bioplastics for a Circular Economy Some developments in the bioplastics industry allow lignin, a component of wood, to be broken down into …
How Will We Travel The World In 2050?
If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank among the world’s top ten emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Aviation emissions have risen by 70% since 2005 and as demand increases in rich and poorer countries, they’re forecast to increase by between 300% and 700% by 2050. Arresting this incline will be the first …
How Cheap Must Batteries Get For Renewables To Compete With Fossil Fuels?
While solar and wind power are rapidly becoming cost-competitive with fossil fuels in areas with lots of sun and wind, they still can’t provide the 24/7 power we’ve become used to. At present, that’s not big a problem because the grid still features plenty of fossil fuel plants that can provide constant baseload or ramp …
Quantum – A Double-Edged Sword For Cryptography
Defence, finance, social networking – communications everywhere rely on cryptographic security. Cryptography involves jumbling up messages according to a code, or key, that has too many combinations for even very powerful computers to try out. But quantum computers have an advantage. Unlike regular computers, which process information in ‘bits’ of definite ones and zeros, quantum computers …
These Are The Meta-Trends Shaping The Future (At Breakneck Speed)
Life is pretty different now than it was 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago. It’s sort of exciting, and sort of scary. And hold onto your hat, because it’s going to keep changing—even faster than it already has been. The good news is, maybe there won’t be too many big surprises, because the …
Singapore Technology Companies Find New Opportunities And Strengthen Partnerships At Smart China Expo 2019
Singapore and Chinese technology companies are strengthening business connections and exchanges of expertise at the Smart China Expo 2019 under the theme “Smart Technology: Empowering Economy, Enriching Life”. The Expo will run from 26 to 29 August in Chongqing to capitalise on the exciting opportunities in Asia’s digital economies. The Expo has also recognised Singapore …
ASEAN Youth: Technology, Skills And The Future Of Work
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched their 2019 edition of the survey on the Association Of The Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) youths. The survey aims to examine and understand the views, concerns, attitudes on jobs, skills, and future of work among the young population of ASEAN. Titled “ASEAN Youth: Technology, Skills and the Future …