I can’t be sure this is really the future of mashed potatoes, but the pessimist in me is worried: That’s right, the time-honored Thanksgiving classic can now be dispensed with the same method (and consistency) as a 7-11 slurpee, complete with gravy. Looks delicious! There’s not much more I can say about this, except to … Continue reading
Author Archives: Scott
Advances in Sea-Powered Energy
From Fast Company’s Co.Exist series, check out 8 of the latest advances in ocean-powered generators. Most of the devices are being developed in Scotland, which is apparently a world leader in marine energy investment – who knew? They’re all well beyond the design stage, with working prototypes being deployed and tested in the rough waters … Continue reading
Science Vs. The Future
The systematic, scientific study of the future is impossible. Wait, what? Really? Well, speaking as someone who has deeply internalized the values of science, and who also loves to study the future, the thought certainly leaves me uncomfortable. And yet I’m pretty sure that’s an ironclad statement. I’m not quite about to throw in the … Continue reading
Bionic Arm Can Click Mouse, Peel Veggies
NBC’s Future Tech series just picked up this amazing video of Nigel Ackland, who lost his arm in an accident and now uses a carbon-fiber mechanical limb in its place. The arm doesn’t contain a direct brain-computer interface – its movements are controlled by Nigel’s two forearm muscles and his other hand. Which makes it … Continue reading
Tribalism Returns as an Essential Tool of the Information Age
It’s no secret that the internet has given us new ways to communicate. But if you think the information revolution has come and gone, I’ve got news for you: it’s just getting started, and we’re already seeing a dramatic transformation in the way we learn about the world. It’s also causing a shift in some … Continue reading
Ghost in the Machine
Happy Halloween, fellow future hunters! This has always been my favorite holiday, perhaps because it’s the one time of year that we all celebrate mystery and the great unknown. Today, in the spirit of the season, I offer you a glimpse of the ghosts of the future. Hint: chain-rattling is not involved. It starts with … Continue reading
Future Meat, Minus the Animals
Today’s Future Bites brings you the future of meat… maybe. Here’s Singularity Weblog with the latest on lab-grown animal tissue for human consumption. The motivation for growing meat flesh in-vitro, without the animal, is many-fold. After all, growing animals for consumption requires vast amounts of water, grain, fertilizer, land area and oil. Not to mention … Continue reading
Cosmic Revolutions 1st Anniversary
Hooray! It’s hard to believe, but Cosmic Revolutions has been tracking trends and pondering the future for one full year as of today. Back in October ’11, CR was little more than a vague idea pinging around in my skull, a general craving for discussion and big ideas. It finally took shape as a blog … Continue reading
The Future of Cake
This week, I’m putting the “bite” back into Future Bites with a look at cake trends. Believe it or not, there’s not a lot of prognostication out there about what the cake of the future might look like. Which I personally find shocking, considering how many people are affected by cake every day. But I … Continue reading
4 of the Best Quotes About the Future
I definitely spend more time wondering about the future than the average person, but I can hardly claim exclusive rights. Much like the sky, folks have been gazing into the future since ancient times. Here, I collect for you some of my favorite observations people have made on the subject over the centuries, along with … Continue reading