Posted by CLIMATE
Students bring climate strikes and protests to the United States. It has been a powerful strategy in other parts of the world. Why not here?
Climate denialism – it’s a thing and many suggest we need to wake up faster. What is social work’s role in helping to accelerate this dialogue?
PROBLEM SOLVING AND THE FUTURE
Interesting piece about 10 ways technology might make the difference in problem solving relating to real world global challenges. Good to intersect with the Social Work Grand Challenges – especially the challenge related to harnessing technology for social good. New partnerships and interdisciplinary lenses will be needed to achieve success in a highly complex world that is unfolding.
THE FUTURE OF THE ECONOMY AND WORK
I keep reflecting on a number of pieces I’ve read in the last year regarding the value (current and future) of “data” in our world – and in particular, the idea that data is now worth more (globally) than oil. Take that in…because it really is a kind of staggering shift in the way we think about economies now and in the not too distant future. Marina Gorbis challenges the idea that “ownership” of our own data is an important concept for the future…thought provoking and creative!
What is the future of our economy? Can we imagine a “post neo-liberal” world? This article challenges us with economic futurism that “might be” more economically inclusive.
Here’s some work being done by governors and state officials to begin to lay out a policy agenda regarding the topic of the future of work. While not endorsing it particularly – it is a sign of things to come and gives some indication of the ways in which we are beginning to frame and consider policy options for future challenges in this area.
DATA, ETHICS AND THE FUTURE
The folks at Digital Bodies have conducted research and produced a workbook of popular education activities focused on data, surveillance, and community safety to co-create and share knowledge, analytics, and tools for data justice and data access for equity. It is called the Digital Defense Playbook and is available here.
Algorithmic Accountability – A Primer. Excellent resource for some fundamentals about what algorithms are, how they function and some easy to understand resources about the ways in which we can, should and must do better in the future to assure that ethics play a role in the building of future digital systems.
What if our digital tools empowered us? I like to imagine that…here’s some folks who are thinking a lot about that idea.
Is block chain ready for prime time? Here is a piece that considers that question with regard to education. Important to keep watching this space to understand if this technology will (as many suggest) transform our work and personal lives. Will it work and be good for everyone? Worth a read to consider these questions.
Including this because an accurate and deep understanding of the complexities of the future depends in many respect on the same perspectives about history. It is hard to imagine a more transformational development in human history (in recent years) than the internet. How will this technology continue to change us and change the world? Perhaps a deep look at how it came to be will help us to understand more about what might happen next. I found this to be an utterly fascinating (and certainly not complete) piece of history about how the internet came to be.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE FUTURE
21st Century teaching guide…what will the future of college teaching look like? Some ideas here.
FLEX YOUR CREATIVE MUSCLES INTO NEW WAYS TO IMAGINE THE FUTURE
Medium is an online journal that doesn’t disappoint – frequently offering future facing articles and contributions. They did a recent entire special online edition called “2069” full of creating offerings. This is not a quick read – you might want to grab a beverage and save this one for a “long reading” session, but I will promise you it won’t disappoint. Provocative, creative and interesting articles and creative works in this issue. A great read.
Human Uber? File this under – Laugh or Cry? I guess this is a real thing. I don’t know exactly what this signals…but it is a sign of the times. Complex when you really think about it.
What will charities look like in the future? Some ideas to stretch our creative thinking here.
Social Work Futures 