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Technology is Coming!
Some futurists got together and put a very visually satisfying “periodic table of mind-blowing tech” together. It is quite a fun rabbit hole of a site with endless opportunities to explore the tech that is coming!
This article challenges quite a lot of dominant discourse that “the robots are coming for your job” with more of a harsh economic analysis. These authors describe that the bigger driving force is increasing management indifference to the need to retain good jobs and maximize profits at any cost.
On that note, another recent article describes the uptick in a new type of management position – “the chief ethics officer” appearing with more frequency in corporate life.
Climate Change
Last week, I put a whole blog post together about climate change related mental health issues and environmental justice.
This week, NPR released a story talking about increasing recognition of the negative aspects of climate change – brought on by increasing flooding in many regions of the United States.
This article describes climate change as our “World War 3” and challenges bolder solutions. It’s a powerful piece. Another article I ran across discusses that “climate refugees” will be among the most powerful results of impending climate change – and suggests that not enough preparation is occurring to manage this eventuality.
Beautiful story about “planting trees as resistance and empowerment.” This article is empowering, energizing and hopeful. How much difference can individual people working together make to tackle climate change? This article will inspire you!!
Social Change Touchpoints
I’ve spoken previously in this blog about the power and importance of caring for each other and ourselves to survive the challenges associated with working for a better future. I even did a whole blog post about this. Along these lines, I ran across this recent article that underscores, expresses deep value and even celebrates the many roles and positions that “social change” actors may embrace. From “the artist,” to “disruptors” to “caregivers” and more, I found this piece energizing and affirming. It takes MANY people working intersectionally to bring the change we want and need.
The Human Population
Many discussions of the future directly or indirectly implicate the number of people on the planet as a major factor in global evolution. This eye-popping series of infograpics really brings a sense of dynamism and power to global population realities now. How will this distribution of humans change, influence and drive future innovation, focus, political changes and a host of other global issues? Take a look and imagine!
Artificial Intelligence and Bias
Here’s a new article (and report) about “bias” in artificial intelligence is really about human bias “baked into” algorithms and processes. This report further underscores the need for creators and coders of the future need to be grounded in some of the same lenses, skills and ethics that social work is built on. Equity principles and skills matter – in artificial intelligence spaces and everywhere else.
Bio-Tech Ethics
I ran across two different articles recently about the bioethics issues associated with our increasing capability to “gene edit” humans. Each raises a host of bioethics issues that arise as we clearly stand upon the precipice of a new scientific era that our ethics have not caught up to.
These stories make me wonder how long it will be before adoption and/or medical social workers will find themselves in situations that include some of these dynamics – and if we will be ready when that happens? Where will we stand? How will we advise? How will we draw the line between ethical and unethical practice in the midst of such rapid evolution in this technology?
Want to Go to the International Space Station on Vacation?
You might be able to do that soon. Fun and interesting story about that went by this week!
The Future of Higher Education
Loved this new article called “the rise of the anti-college.” It points to a number of needs that continue to go unmet in the mainstream higher education world. I think this piece includes some important signals about what the future to our sector.
Several financial innovations were discussed in this recent Freakonomics podcast episode all focused on how to reduce the cost of higher education.
Radical “live learn” spaces in higher education? Check it out.
This is a new(ish) article about Southern New Hampshire University’s notable efforts to reinvent the higher education experience for the future. What can we all learn from these efforts, and be brave as well as smart in trying to stretch into some new forms to accommodate student needs and communities of the future?
Social Work Futures 