What's Emerging mid-June 2024
A newsletter on interesting stuff that is emerging around the world so you can think about strategy.
Welcome to our mid-June Newsletter
In the next few weeks Paul will be continue to work on the strategy implementation consultation process with RSL Victoria. Paul is also working on a scenario and Foresight Forum project with the Professional Standards Authority on the future of the professions and implications for standards and regulation. He will also continue in his role of Chair with venture philanthropy organisation Social Venture Partners Melbourne that is conducting a wide-ranging strategy review in March (just completed - stand by for news from that). He is also setting up the business plan proposal for a new social enterprise business (we could tell you what it is, but we would have to kill you).
If you are interested in talking to us about any of our strategy approaches, foresight approaches, workshops, or conference presentations, please Contact Us.
The Emergent Futures Team
In case you missed it. The most popular link from the last edition (tied with the exercise post for a record fifth time in a row) was:
The NSA advises you to turn your phone off and back on once a week
There are several ways to protect yourself, the NSA suggests. Paul: I follow most of these, especially using a vpn and not using public wifi. I also give out Porta Power USB blockers as prizes at conferences - they prevent data theft if you are charging through a USB cable, even on a power point. (you can be hacked this way - it is called Juice Jacking)...… Read more.
What are we Writing About?
Paul has expanded on one of the future scenarios he presented to the Agriculture Sustainability Summit hosted by Ag Minister Murray Watt and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. You can find it on LinkedIn : Changing Consumer Buying Decision Points and its Effects on Agriculture Supply Chains
What’s Emerging
NEW CONCRETE THAT STORES ELECTRICITY COULD TURN WHOLE HOMES INTO BATTERIES
Researchers at MIT have come up with a new way to store energy inside a modified concrete, a tantalizing potential solution to the looming energy storage problem.........…..Read More
The Space Force is planning what could be the first military exercise in orbit
On this mission, a spacecraft built and launched by Rocket Lab will chase down another satellite made by True Anomaly, a Colorado-based startup. "The vendors will exercise a realistic threat response scenario in an on-orbit space domain awareness demonstration called Victus Haze," the Space Force's Space Systems Command said in a statement........….….Read more
AI used to predict potential new antibiotics in groundbreaking study
Scientists used an algorithm to mine ‘the entirety of the microbial diversity’ on Earth, speeding up antibiotic resistance research.........…..Read More
Skull discoveries reveal giant Australian prehistoric bird looked a bit like a goose
Being chased by an irate goose can be a terrifying experience. Now imagine a giant flightless version weighing almost a quarter of a tonne and standing as tall, if not taller than, basketball legend Michael Jordan...........…..Read More
Data Centers Set to Consume 9% of U.S. Electricity by 2030
AI, in particular, is expected to drive a lot of that surge in power demand........……. Read more
Gene-Edited Salad Greens Are Coming to US Stores This Fall
Biotech giant Bayer plans to distribute mustard greens that have been genetically altered to make them less bitter to grocery stores across the country..........……. Read More
Three-year study in farming town of Pinnaroo finds art reduces depression, improves wellbeing in the bush
"I'm quite an anxious person generally, so to come out into the shed and just create something and see it come together it's just a bit of a break. It does help you relax,". ......…..Read more
NZ start-up developing safflower as dairy substitute
Founded in 2021, the start-up is developing varieties to grow oils that mimic proteins found in dairy........…..Read more
Long-Range EVs Now Cost Less Than the Average New Car in the US
At least three manufacturers — Tesla, Hyundai-Kia and General Motors — now offer EVs with more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) of range for less than the cost of the average new vehicle sold in the US, according to an analysis by Bloomberg Green.......….. Read more
Engineers implement digital shields to ensure machinery stays clear of active railway lines
In the video, engineers working on a live railway project implemented digital shields to enhance safety by preventing machines from encroaching onto active running lines. These digital shields use advanced geofencing technology, which relies on GPS and real-time location data to create virtual boundaries around the operational zones.……. Read more
NSW allocates $450 million for more than 400 build-to-rent homes for essential workers
The Minns government will build apartment blocks for Sydney's essential workers, offering them cheap rent so they're not priced out of the city. The homes will be offered to workers like teachers, nurses, police officers and firefighters at a discount to the market rent. Paul: while I understand the motivation here it feels like slapping a band aid on a broken leg. How did we get to a situation that people like this cannot afford to live and when are we going to address the system problems involved. .……. Read more
Costco Expands Reach Across Japan with the Support of Mini Resale Shops
Private label Kirkland Signature brand items are both a novelty and a big draw as Japanese consumers flock to Costco resale stores............….….Read more
SONAR 2024: New emerging risk insights
The Swisse Re report is out: The world is facing a poly-crisis of interconnected and complex new and emerging risks, driven by climate change, geopolitical instability, social inequality, digital transformation, and health challenges..........….…Read more.
Bumble Founder’s Dystopian Vision for the Future of Dating Is Straight From a ‘Black Mirror’ Episode
Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd is suggesting a dating future that sounds oddly similar to an episode of “Black Mirror.” In an interview with Bloomberg, Herd said that AI might start dating other’s AI to weed people out and recommend matches...……...… Read more.
Business and Other Tips
Coles and Telstra loyalty point phishing scams are circulating. Here's how to spot one
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (AMCA) has reported a sharp rise in shopping points and rewards-based SMS scams, and is warning customers to be vigilant. Paul: we all think we are smart enough to avoid this but it only takes one moment of inattention when we are in a hurry.… Read more.
Our Community Newsletter: The AGMs Edition
Useful tips for not for profit organisations...… Read more.
Millions of Australians warned not to 'double dip' on work-from-home claims for tax time 2024
Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson says more than 5 million Australians claimed working-from-home expenses last financial year, but some mixed up the methods they used to make claims that essentially resorted to double dipping.… Read More
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