What's Emerging mid-February 2025
A newsletter on interesting stuff that is emerging around the world so you can think about strategy.
Welcome to our newsletter for mid-February 2025. A Bit of an electric transport and batteries theme this edition.
In the next few weeks Paul will continue to work on the strategy implementation consultation process with RSL Victoria and present on the future of AI to a CEO roundtable. He will also present to a YMCA CEO conference and a syndicate at the CEO Institute. He will also continue working on his new startup which now has partial funding. He will also continue in his role of Chair with venture philanthropy organisation Social Venture Partners.
If you are interested in talking to us about any of our strategy approaches, foresight approaches, workshops, or conference presentations for next year, please Contact Us.
The Emergent Futures Team
In case you missed it. The most popular link from the last edition was (again by a long margin):
Brain Dump Meaning: How This Simple Technique Can Boost Your Productivity
In today's fast-paced world, the overwhelming flood of tasks, thoughts, and responsibilities can easily lead to stress and mental overload. When your mind is juggling a hundred things at once, it becomes nearly impossible to focus effectively or find the clarity needed to make sound decisions. This is where the concept of a "brain dump" comes in—a powerful technique to declutter your mind and make way for productivity and peace of mind.……….Read More
What are we Writing About?
Nothing in this section this edition
What’s Emerging
Milence to build 70 new electric truck charging hubs across Europe with €111 million EU investment
Milence has been awarded over €111 million in EU funding to accelerate the development of charging infrastructure for electric trucks. This funding will support the MILES (Mobility Infrastructure for Logistics – Electric & Sustainable) project. The project is part of the European Union’s push to decarbonise transport...........…..Read More
3.5 kilometres underwater, scientists found a staggeringly energetic particle from outer space
KM3NeT is a gigantic deep sea telescope being built by an international collaboration of more than 300 scientists and engineers from 21 countries. At the site off Sicily, and another off the coast of Provence in France, KM3NeT will be made up of more than 6,000 light detectors hanging in the pitch-black depths. When the telescope is complete, it will cover about a cubic kilometre of sea......….….Read more
Tech megacaps plan to spend more than $300 billion in 2025 as AI race intensifies
Megacap technology companies funneled billions of dollars into artificial intelligence last year to try and keep up with unfettered demand. The hype isn’t dying down in 2025.......…..Read More
UK government fund supports national charging infrastructure with £65M boost for Connected Kerb
The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is getting a major boost. Connected Kerb has secured £65 million in funding from The National Wealth Fund (NWF) and Aviva Investors. This investment will help expand its public charging network from 9,000 sockets to 40,000 across the country.............…..Read More
USA: Bachelors Without Bachelor's: Gender Gaps in Education and Declining Marriage Rates
Over the past half-century, the share of men enrolled in college has steadily declined relative to women. Today, 1.6 million more women than men attend four-year colleges in the U.S. This trend has not lowered marriage rates for college women, a substantial share of whom have historically married economically stable men without college degrees. Both historical evidence and cross-area comparisons suggest that worsening male outcomes primarily undermine the marriage prospects of non-college women. The gap in marriage rates between college-and non-college women is more than 50% smaller in areas where men have the lowest rates of joblessness and incarceration. Paul: I am currently reading Patrick Ruffini’s book: Party of the People, if you want more insight into the demographic and political change in the USA it is well worth a read ......……. Read More
Electric vehicle batteries can last almost 40% longer in the real world than in lab tests
When we see “tested under laboratory conditions”, we often assume real-world conditions will lead to faster degradation of a product.But experts from Stanford University have found the opposite is true for electric vehicle (EV) batteries......……. Read More
China unveils prototype for what could be the world’s fastest high-speed train
The CR450, which was unveiled in Beijing on December 29, had reached test speeds as high as 450 kilometers (281 miles) per hour and an operational speed of 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) per hour, according to China’s Ministry of Transport......…..Read more
Do investment tax breaks work? A new study finds the evidence is ‘mixed at best’
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released a discussion paper on investment tax breaks. The study looks at whether tax incentives, such as instant asset write-offs for utes, boost business investment.......…..Read more
AI Could Predict and Sell Your Desires Before You Know Them
The emerging “Intention Economy” leverages AI to forecast and influence decisions, commodifying human motivations. Cambridge researchers warn of ethical risks, including manipulation and threats to democracy, urging regulation to prevent misuse.....…..Read more
Carbon pricing drives critical transition to green growth
Carbon pricing is a crucial tool in the efforts to address and mitigate climate change. In 2014, only 12% of carbon emissions fell under carbon pricing at USD7 per tonne; now, about 23% of greenhouse gas emissions are priced at USD32 per tonne. However, the regressive nature of carbon pricing can disproportionately affect lower-income populations and potentially reduce political support and public awareness....…..Read more
Hailstorms are shifting south with changing climate
Research suggests the way hail impacts on different parts of Australia has been changing......…..Read more
Mitochondrial Transplantation’s Role in Rodent Skeletal Muscle Bioenergetics: Recharging the Engine of Aging
Fifteen female mice (24 months old) were randomized into two groups (placebo or mitochondrial transplantation). Isolated mitochondria from a donor mouse of the same sex and age were transplanted into the hindlimb muscles of recipient mice (quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius complex)..…… These enhancements in the muscle translated to significant improvements in exercise tolerance. Conclusions: This study provides initial evidence showing how mitochondrial transplantation can promote skeletal muscle bioenergetics in an aging rodent model. Paul: Apparently a new target for athlete enhancement......…..Read more
Business and Other Tips - The top clicked on tips from last year
How Futurists Cope with Uncertainty
A simple tool you can use to see plausible future states early.……….Read More
Intermittent fasting plus protein pacing may boost weight loss, gut health
A recent study suggests that combining these two approaches may lead to superior weight loss and better gut health and metabolic responses compared to a simple calorie-restricted diet. Paul - I used this to great effect in the first half of last year .……….Read More
Why you should power off your phone once a week - according to the NSA
This simple action can make it more difficult for hackers to steal information from your phone. Here's why and what else to know………..Read More
Only walking for exercise? Here’s how to get the most out of it
Walking is cost-effective, doesn’t require any special equipment or training, and can be done with small pockets of time. Our preliminary research, shows there are ways to incorporate strength-training components into walking to improve your muscle strength and balance………..Read More
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