What's Emerging mid-March
A newsletter on interesting stuff that is emerging around the world so you can think about strategy.
Welcome to our newsletter for mid-March 2025.
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 syndicate at the CEO Institute. We are also participating in a couple of tenders for interesting work. More to come if successful. Paul 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:
Criminal gangs using key programming devices to steal cars at level not seen in Victoria in decades, police say
Police believed the methodology was well known among criminal circles and being used extensively locally, as well as other countries such as the United States and United Kingdom. Paul: protect yourself if you have one of these models……….Read More
What are we Writing About?
Paul was interviewed on “Our World This Week” on the effects of the trump tariffs on Australia and geopolitics generally. You can listen to the interview at Paul’s piece at Our World This Week. Got to the March 15th link and fast forward to the 90 minute mark.
What’s Emerging
Unprecedented Starlink Reentries
What goes up, must come down–which could be a problem when you’re launching thousands of satellites. Since 2018, SpaceX has placed more than 7,000 Starlink satellites into Earth orbit, and now they are starting to come down. In January alone, more than 120 Starlinks deorbited, creating a shower of fireballs..........…..Read More
HILDA data shows income inequality is at a 20-year high
Funded by the Australian government and managed by the Melbourne Institute, the survey is one of Australia’s most valuable social research tools. HILDA examined the lives of 14,000 Australians in 2001 and has kept coming back each year to discover what has changed over the course of their lifetimes. It now covers 17,000 Australians, due to the expansion of participants’ families.......….….Read more
The AI Scientist Generates its First Peer-Reviewed Scientific Publication
A paper produced by The AI Scientist-v2 passed the peer-review process at a workshop in a top international AI conference....…..Read More
Amazon has more than 750,000 robots that sort, lift, and carry packages
Amazon Robotics was founded more than a decade ago when Amazon acquired Massachusetts-based Kiva Systems in 2012..............…..Read More
Denmark postal service to stop delivering letters
Denmark's state-run postal service, PostNord, is to end all letter deliveries at the end of 2025, citing a 90% decline in letter volumes since the start of the century. The decision brings to an end 400 years of the company's letter service. Denmark's 1,500 post boxes will start to disappear from the start of June........……. Read More
Lockheed Offers a New Low-Cost Cruise Missile as Part of ‘High-Low Mix’
The Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT, which Lockheed calls “Comet”) is meant to cost around $150,000 in its basic configuration, with modularity and open mission systems architecture that will allow it to carry a wide range of payloads from sensors to warheads, as well as a fuel load tailored to the mission......……. Read More
Melbourne start-up launches 'biological computer' made of human brain cells
An Australian start-up has launched the "first commercialised biological computer" made of human brain cells at a conference in Barcelona.The team behind it believe it could be used as a type of simple biological AI, but others are cautious about the technology's potential......…..Read more
Introducing Roche Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) Technology
.Paul: a bit slick and corporate marketing but still an amazing video......…..Read more
Weakening currents in the Atlantic may mean a wetter northern Australia and drier New Zealand
Europe is warmed by heat from ocean currents, which move water from the warm tropics to the colder North Atlantic. Once the warm, salty water from the tropics reach the polar region, they cool enough to sink to the depths and flow back towards the Southern Ocean. This enormous system of currents is known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Climate scientists are increasingly worried about the AMOC, which appears to be slowing down.......…..Read more
Scientists genetically modify Victorian lizard to fight climate change
Biologists bred and released four tiny genetically modified Guthega skinks in an outdoor enclosure on Victoria's High Country in December. It is one step away before the tiny lizards are released into the greater wild when biologists are hopeful the offspring of the critters can be set free in about a year.....…..Read more
A single-fibre computer enables textile networks and distributed inference
Through connection with helical copper microwires, eight microdevices were thermally drawn into a machine-washable elastic fibre capable of more than 60% stretch. This programmable fibre, which incorporates a 32-bit floating-point microcontroller, independently performs edge computing tasks even when braided, woven, knitted or seam-sewn into garments. The universality of the assembly process allows for the integration of additional functions with simple modifications, including a rechargeable fibre power source that operates the computer for nearly 6 h......…..Read more
Are People Fleeing US States with Abortion Bans?
The most recent data point indicates that total abortion bans come at the cost of more than 36,000 residents per quarter.....…..Read more
Business and Other Tips
2 Secrets of Memorable Presentations
A Stanford lecturer and expert on public speaking explains how to manage anxiety and deliver things smoothly……….Read More
How to clean your air fryer without scrubbing
Paul: given how ubiquitous they have become this is useful information..……….Read More
Verity - Bias Split - Headlines
Paul: An interesting tool where a slider lets you look at the media stories delivered depending on the level of bias………..Read More
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