The future is now

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101010/ap_on_hi_te/us_space_tourism

Google

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-were-driving-at.html

Out Innovate the Innovators

VISA, MasterCard and AmEx, companies that have brought great innovations to the personal and small business credit markets probably won't even notice Square for the next few quarters.

Perhaps similar to how Netflix got overlooked by Blockbuster, but yet another major industry is set to join the ranks of firms whose playing field was leveled by the internet. Fast Company picks up the story from here...

Disruptive Forces

Even disruptive new media segments like digital advertising, which has managed to do pretty well during the current downturn especially in relation to traditional media, still faces disruptive forces.

Twitter, You Tube and "Citizen Journalists"

Two thought provoking lines that I've recently heard surround the proliferation of people posting "events" on social media sites and blogs...
"Look at me looking at this." and "People change when behind a camera."

Here are two interesting yet different perspectives on the issue...

Analysis of its impact on humanity.

In support of citizens journalists.

Our Best Defense is Their Mercy... Apparently

We're in for a world of pain, if our infrastructure is compromised. Based on this recent WSJ article, the computer hackers have already gotten in. It's just a question of when they decide to attack. Legitimate foreign governments aren't as much of a concern, threats of cyberattacks could be the new "nuclear shield". However, it's organized crime or terrorist cells that seem to pose the greatest threat.

Disruptive technologies separated by 500 years

Last year NYU professor Clay Shirkey was talking about Cognitive Surplus. This year, he's comparing the impact of the internet on newspapers and journalism to the impact on society of the printing press in a recent post.

Preventative medicine

Modern medicine does a great job at reducing pain and suffering and solving problems. Traditionally diagnosis occurs after the illness has begun. How far can/should preventative medicine go and what are the unintended consequences. Whether or not treatment is done, apparently it will take a lifetime to understand the full result of practicing cutting edge preventative medicine.

Black Holes Aren't Good Things, Especially When Our Planet is Involved

Update on 9/10/08: The first big hurdle has been crossed and we're all still here. Score another one for science.

Original post on 4/11/08.

I'm certainly no physics expert, but I don't think you can truly test and measure items on a cosmic scale and expect much certainty as to how they will actually turn out.

On a scale of 1 to 10, in terms of all time bad ideas, this might just be an 11.

Check it out.

If You Couldn't Be Seen, Would You Still Do What's Right?

It's the age old question of morality. As we read in the article below, in the future, by redirecting light, it will allow people to literally wear a cloak of invisibility.

Certainly, it is likely that current criminals will avail themselves of this technology once it is fully developed. However, the larger question involves people who currently obey the law. How might law abiding citizens take advantage of this new opportunity.

Read more here.