Central Texas' Future

New Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:55:00 -0500

This blog has been moved to our new interactive site at http://centexwfs.ning.com.

New Web Site

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This blog is presently not being used by CenTexWFS. Please go to their new blog and interactive web site.

Web 3.0 & Beyond: “There” is “Here” & the “Future” is “Now

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:17:00 -0500

The Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2008. It will be held at the J.J. Pickle Research Center of the University of Texas, at 6:00 p.m. The J.J. Pickle Research Campus (formerly the Balcones Research Center) is located in northwest Austin at the corner of Braker Lane and Burnet Road. A J.J. Pickle Research Campus (PRC) map and building list is available for visitors to the PRC (http://wwwhost.cc.utexas.edu/maps/prc/). Directions to the TACC can be found at: http://www.tacc.utexas.edu/general/visitor/.

Dr. Leslie Jarmon will speak on " Web 3.0 & Beyond: “There” is “Here” & the “Future” is “Now””

Building on earlier talks, including Jay Boisseau’s talk on super-computing and Kavita Patel’s talk on Web 2.0 and social networking, Dr. Jarmon’s talk features what she has dubbed Web 3.0, the world of 3-D virtual learning environments. Gartner, Inc., a technology-related research and consulting firm, estimates that by 2012, 80 percent of active Internet users, including Fortune 500 enterprises, will have a “second life” in some form of 3-D virtual world environment, and these virtual worlds are expected to have a large impact on teaching and learning in the very near future.

We will take a closer look at Second Life (SL), currently the most popular platform albeit an early iteration of the rapidly expanding development of 3-D virtual worlds. Massive user-constructed content and infinite scale in a 3-D space freed from many of the laws of physics are some of their special features. These features provide opportunities for engagement in social interactions with people from various fields across geographical distances, and they foster experiential learning. The sense of “social presence” is becoming more critical, and some of the powerful impacts of working in 3-D virtual worlds are only beginning to be identified. Role play, improvisation, and other action-based activities are already used in SL to foster experiential learning in training emergency personnel and nurses (e.g., Ann Meyers Medical Center), for interacting with reflexive architecture, and for learning to play virtual musical instruments with the avatar orchestra metaverse (AOM). The U.S. Federal government is already investing several billion research dollars through multiple agencies to develop and apply 3-D virtual worlds for a myriad of training and research purposes. We will focus on two on-going research and educational projects in Second Life: (1) the Educators Coop (www.educatorscoop.org), and (2) the Alley Flats Initiative. Guest experts within Second Life will also be joining us from their virtual work spaces.

Attendance is limited to 48. Because we must specify the number of people for dinner, you must register by Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at noon.

You can register and prepay at: www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm

Or, send a check to CenTexWFS, PO Box 26947, Austin, TX 78755-0947.

Price: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.

Dr. Leslie Jarmon is a Senior Lecturer at The University of Texas at Austin with the Office of Graduate Studies' Professional Development & Community Engagement Program, where she has designed and taught graduate courses since 1998. Her Graduate Studies courses include:

*Exploring Multicultural Communication: Communicating Across Disciplinary Cultures in Second Life
*Community Engagement: Project Management and Consulting Projects
*A Systematic Approach to Academic and Professional Writing

Dr. Jarmon is a leader in the university’s entry into 3-D virtual world environments, specifically Second Life (SL). Her avatar’s name is Bluewave Ogee, and she has presented at numerous conferences in or about Second Life, including Best Practices in Education in SL (May 2007), the American Sociological Association (August 2007), the New Media Consortium Symposium on Creativity (August 2007), and the American Educational Research Association (2008). Her current research focuses on 3-D virtual world environments as new sites for collaboration and the creation of communities of learners, on an international scale. She is a co-founder of the Educators Coop in Second Life, an experimental residential community of interdisciplinary educators, researchers, and librarians from around the world.

Dr. Jarmon is perhaps best known for creating the world's first multimedia digital dissertation to be accepted entirely on CD-ROM (“An Ecology of Embodied Interaction: Turn-Taking and Interactional Syntax in Face-to-Face Encounters.” - 1996, UT). After teaching as an Assistant Professor of Communication at Indiana University in Bloomington, Dr. Jarmon was invited back to join the faculty of the Graduate School at The University of Texas at Austin where she designed research models for collaboration with IT corporations sponsoring student research with the Science, Technology, and Society Program and with the McCombs School of Business Plus Program. She was the coordinator and chief designer for the first large-scale Civic Forum on the Societal Implications of Nanotechnology, and she was principal designer of the “nano scenario” civic engagement model. Dr. Jarmon was instrumental in creating research partnerships between The University of Texas, the World Congress on Information Technology 2006 (WCIT), and leading private sector information technology companies.

Her other interests focus particularly on technology and education and applications of low cost technologies in service to developing countries. In the past, Dr. Jarmon served as an inaugural National Research Fellow with the U.S. Corporation for National Service where she conducted research on private-public sector partnerships with the national Welfare-to-Work Program. Her research led to extensive use across the country of AmeriCorps-VISTA volunteers working with micro-lending organizations and other grassroots community economic development entities. She also served as the Regional Coordinator of the Micro-Enterprise Development Initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean with the United States Peace Corps. Dr. Jarmon served two tours of duty as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica and Ecuador in the 1980s.

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit www.centexwfs.org.

For more information about the World Future Society, visit www.wfs.org.
Derek Woodgate, Presidentdwoodgate@futures-lab.com
512.472.2628
www.centexwfs.org

Defense, Media & the Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:34:00 -0500

The Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society will hold it's next monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 19, 2007. It will be held at the meeting room of Marie Callender's, 9503 Research Blvd. # 400., Austin, TX 78759 ( 512.349.7151 ) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Laura Faulkner will speak on "Defense, the Media and Emotion: Identifying Future Shifts in Funding"

Attendance fee is $20 per person, for members, $25 for nonmembers, cash or checks only at the door. (Make checks payable to CenTexWFS.) Credit cards accepted online. The fee includes a meal but is charged for attendance.

The meeting room is at the back of the restaurant on the right.

Seating will be limited so please reserve your place and prepay at :

www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm

Agenda: Networking, Announcements, Meal, Speaker, Discussion

Defense budgets go up and down fairly predictably according to currentdefense circumstance. But within those fairly stable, predictablebudgets, the types and amounts of things funded vary wildly fromyear-to-year, and from beginning of fiscal year "planned" spending incontrast to and end-of-fiscal year “spend all the dollars we have leftover” spending. As a matter of fact, those end-of-fiscal year decisionsmay be the most telling of all: they are the gut instinct,non-thought- out, emotional decisions, often unconstrained by leadershipabove the sponsor-in-charge of disbursing those funds—few political stringsare attached to those funds. Dr. Faulkner examines the future of thesecycles through the lense of her expertise in human psychology, toward arecognition of what changes and what stays the same.

Laura Faulkner, Ph.D., fascination and passion is human behavior, asevidenced by more than 25 years of human sciences study, degrees insociology, anthropology and psychology, and a career in human-computerinteraction (HCI).Dr. Faulkner is currently a Senior Product Manager for AWARE Software,Inc., performing HCI applied research, and managing datamodeling/ontology,training, documentation and translation, related to software andrequirements engineering.

For the previous eleven years, Dr. Faulkner was with the Applied Research Laboratories (ARL:UT), The University of Texasat Austin (UT-Austin). As a Program Manager and Principal Investigator shecompleted multiple Department of Defense and industry projects, learningthe intriguing pathways of defense funding. Among other things, her workpioneered a team facilitation and collaboration initiative to stand up theInformation Operations Technology Alliance. Dr. Faulkner continues as aninvited instructor for UT-Austin's Software Quality Institute, and hasserved on the Human Systems committee of the international organization,the defense-centric Interservice/ Industry Simulation, Training, andEducation Conference.

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit http://www.centexwfs.org/.

For more information about the World Future Society, visit http://www.wfs.org/.

Look Before You Leap

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 6 Feb 2008 13:51:00 -0600

Look Before You Leap: Mental Time Travel as a Strategic Viewing Method for Looking Ahead

Click on the links below for more information on this subject:

Audio recording of talk (mp3)
Copy of article (doc)
Slide show on integrity (pps)

The Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society will hold it's next monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 19, 2007. It will be held at the meeting room of Marie Callender's, 9503 Research Blvd. # 400., Austin, TX 78759 (512.349.7151) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Oliver Markley will speak on "Look Before You Leap: Mental Time Travel as a Strategic Viewing Method for Looking Ahead"

Attendance fee is $20 per person, for members, $25 for nonmembers, cash or checks only at the door. (Make checks payable to CenTexWFS.) Credit cards accepted online. The fee includes a meal but is charged for attendance. The meeting room is at the back of the restaurant on the right.

Seating will be limited so please reserve your place and prepay at :

www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm

Agenda: Networking, Announcements, Meal, Speaker, Discussion

Mental Time Travel uses guided imagination in the "theatre of the mind" to intuitively visualize and explore contingent future patterns. It is a practical approach for wise choosing, and represents a clear way to improve conventional scenario forecasting, strategic planning and marketing research methods — especially when dealing with Just in Time (JiT) business environments. It is also very useful for individuals wanting to "look before they leap." This presentation will briefly cover how the method came about and how it has been used with audiences ranging from Fortune 50 level clients to elementary school children; but the main focus will be an experiential demonstration involving everyone, with ample time for Q&A/discussion.

Oliver Markley, Ph.D., is professor emeritus and formerly chair of the graduate program in Studies of the Future at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. His career began as a design engineer but quickly shifted to social psychology and futures research, eventually specializing in visioning methods. Before UHCL, he was a principal investigator and consultant at the Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International) where he led the "Changing Images of Man" project with Willis Harman, Joseph Campbell, Duane Elgin and others. Dr. Markley currently maintains a part-time research and consulting practice, Inward Bound. He is co-author of four books and many research reports, the most recent being a paper on Mental Time Travel—posted online at http://inwardboundvisioning.com/Docs/mentaltimetravel.htm—which was published this year by the international journal, Futures. His current focus is an experimental social action initiative in which "imaginal" visioning would be coupled with political activism to uplift the level of integrity in the body politic of the worlds in which we live: personal, societal and planetary. He also teaches best practices for intentional manifestation.

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit http://www.centexwfs.org/.

For more information about the World Future Society, visit http://www.wfs.org/.

Paul Schumann
President

E-Mail
512.632.6586

Web 2.0

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 3 Jan 2008 10:09:00 -0600

The Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. It will be held at the meeting room of Marie Callender's, 9503 Research Blvd. #400, Austin, TX 78759 (512.349.7151) at 6:00 p.m. Kavita Patel will speak on "Web 2.0”

Web 2.0 – Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, LinkedIn - they are not just fads but the beginning of a revolution of people, power and institutions…. Learn more from Kavita Patel who will speak about how technology and people meet.

Kavita Patel has pioneered how people use the internet to interact with other people and information. With a decade of entrepreneurial experience focused on online communities Kavita is a recognized expert and is passionate about advancing how people use technology to connect to others and the rest of the world.

Currently, Kavita directs social media strategy and technical implementation for Pluck. At Pluck, the leading provider of social media technology, content, and services to online media, marketers, and retailers, Kavita created a community platform that allows Pluck’s customers to engage millions of people and power billions of interactions every month. Pluck’s BlogBurst is the world’s largest blog syndication network with over 4,000 of today’s bloggers. Every day without realizing it millions of people in many nations use Pluck's technology to access media from the world's most recognized digital destinations such as - USAToday, Better Homes and Gardens, CBC, Circuit City, Cox, The Economist, FOX News, Gannett, Scotts, Austin-American Statesman, Houston Chronicle and The Washington Post.

Previously, Kavita was the third member of the founding engineering team for Netspend which in 6 months, transformed a suggestion into a real-time credit card transaction processing system. Netspend is now the leader in pre-paid card solutions and Capital One recently offered $700 million for Netspend.

In 1998 Kavita joined one of the pioneering dotcoms of the 1990’s - Excite.com one of the most recognized brands of the Internet. At that time 3 out of 5 people using the internet went to an Excite property. She was part of the first team to create some of the most popular early community tools on the web – message boards, photo albums and online chat at high volume and scale serving millions of users. These community products generated 1/3 of Excite’s traffic while search generated the other 2/3 and was an indicator of how important community interaction online would become.

While at the University of Texas at Austin she interned with Praxsys, developer of the first e-commerce store for Dell. Kavita graduated from UT Austin in 1997 with a BA in Geography & Computer Science allowing her to combine her love of connecting technology, people, places and ideas.

You can reach Kavita Patel at kavita@pluck.com or visit www.pluck.com for more information about Pluck.

Seating is limited so please reserve your place at:

www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm . (You can also prepay at this link via credit card.)

Price: $20 for members, $25 for non-members, payable at the door (cash or check only). Note: The price is for a meal, but must be paid for attendance even if you choose not to eat a meal.

Agenda: Networking, Announcements, Meal, Speaker, Discussion

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit www.centexwfs.org.

For more information about the World Future Society, visit www.wfs.org.
Paul Schumann, Presidentpaul.schumann@centexwfs.org
512.302.1935www.centexwfs.org

Supercomputing: Transforming Science and Enriching Society

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 4 Nov 2007 14:00:00 -0600

The Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 20, 2007. It will be held at the J.J. Pickle Research Center of the University of Texas, at 6:00 p.m. The J.J. Pickle Research Campus (formerly the Balcones Research Center) is located in northwest Austin at the corner of Braker Lane and Burnet Road. A J.J. Pickle Research Campus map and building list is available for visitors to the PRC (http://wwwhost.cc.utexas.edu/maps/prc/). Directions to the TACC can be found at: http://www.tacc.utexas.edu/general/visitor/.

Dr. Jay Boisseau will speak on " Supercomputing: Transforming Science and Enriching Society”

You are invited to a participatory talk led by Dr. Jay Boisseau, director of the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Boisseau will explain what supercomputing is, why it is fundamental for science discovery, and how it is increasingly important for society, business, homeland security, entertainment, healthcare, and other industries. In addition, Boisseau will share initial results and future plans for Ranger, an unprecedented computational resource, which will be the most powerful supercomputer in the world when it is deployed at the end of the year.

Read “The Beast in the Background” by Avrel Seale, Alcalde, March-April 2007 for more information about the project. (http://www.texasexes.org/alcalde/feature.asp?p=1951)

Attendance is limited to 48. To attend you must prepay by Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at noon.

You can prepay at: www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm

Or, send a check to CenTexWFS, PO Box 26947, Austin, TX 78755-0947.

Price: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.

John ("Jay") R. Boisseau graduated with a bachelors degree in astronomy and physics from the University of Virginia in 1986 while also working as a computer consultant. He continued to work in Charlottesville for an additional year as a scientific programmer, and then entered the graduate program in astronomy at The University of Texas at Austin. After obtaining his masters degree in 1990, Boisseau initiated his dissertation research on modeling the dynamics of Type Ia supernovae using Cray supercomputers. This work stimulated his interest in high performance computing, and led him to join the staff of the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center as a programmer analyst in 1994 while continuing his supernova modeling research. At ARSC, Boisseau helped develop and lead several projects and activities in the relatively new center while supporting a growing scientific user community.

Boisseau completed his dissertation and joined the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) in 1996 to advance his career in high performance computing. At SDSC, Dr. Boisseau became an Associate Director and created the Scientific Computing Department, with groups specializing in applications optimization, performance modeling, parallel tools development, grid portals development, and user support.

He led several major SDSC projects for the National Partnership for Advanced Computational Infrastructure (NPACI) and also led SDSC's participation in the Department of Defense (DoD) Programming Environments and Training (PET) program. He also founded the IBM Scientific Computing User Group while at SDSC.

In June 2001, Boisseau returned to Austin to become the director of the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin. Under his direction, TACC has grown in size and stature to become one of the leading academic advanced computing centers in the US.

Boisseau initiated a strong and growing research and development program at TACC while enhancing the computational resources to provide world-class capabilities, culminating in the recent award to TACC of the largest NSF award in UT Austin history: $59 million to acquire one of the most powerful computing system in the world in 2007 and to support US open research for four years. TACC participates as a resource provider and a technology developer in the NSF TeraGrid, with Boisseau serving as the UT Austin PI and a member of the Executive Steering Committee. Boisseau also leads UT Austin's involvement in the High Performance Computing Across Texas (HiPCAT) consortium and is beginning to work with other institutions in the UT System to enhance their research programs by leveraging TACC's advanced computing systems and expertise.

Boisseau's professional activities include performance characteristics of high-end computing systems and microprocessors, and the development of grid technologies and portals for computational science. His newest interest is the application of HPC and grid technologies to computational biology and biomedicine.

For more information about TACC, visit http://www.tacc.utexas.edu/.

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit http://www.centexwfs.org/.

For more information about the World Future Society, visit http://www.wfs.org/.

Paul Schumann, President
paul.schumann@centexwfs.org
512.632.6586
http://www.centexwfs.org/

Contracts with the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:41:00 -0500

Time also demands its compromises, as we try to balance the demands of the present and the future. Short-termism is an ugly word for a tough dilemma. Businesses are accused of it, governments are plagued by it, none of us can escape it in our own lives. We all live with the knowledge that the things which we want most, and which are best for us - health, affection, long life - require us to give up immediate delights or to do things we'd rather not do. Personal short-termism damages our health. We know, in other words, that this sort of personal compromise is one way of dealing with the paradox that most of the things we enjoy are bad for us.

The dilemma is this - to what extent should you short-change or compromise the present in order to benefit the future? All investment involves taking something today to improve tomorrow: It only makes sense to do that if you believe in, or want, what tomorrow may bring. It is always another compromise. To what extent are we prepared to curb our bad environmental habits to ensure a cleaner, safer world for our grandchildren, a world which we may not live long enough to enjoy? To what extent will we curb our own behavior if others do not do likewise? Will the tragedy of the commons be played out on a global scale or will we adjust our short-term behavior for a greater common cause, to make life better for people we shall never meet? We will only do it, I believe, if we can look beyond the grave, if we can accept that there are some things that are more important than ourselves, and longer lasting.

At a more personal level, young dual-career couples struggle with this issue of common cause and compromise as they try to decide whether or when to start a family. The sacrifices in the present will be considerable, a loss of income, a change of life-style, an altered relationship. The commitment of both of them to a new future is critical, if they are to make the necessary compromises to start another family. It is, however, an impossible decision to make if they want to preserve their present while growing that future. They have to start by understanding that compromise is essential to most progress, but that voluntary compromise is only possible if there is a common cause, a cause greater than oneself, and a trust in the other. When compromise goes out of fashion among the young, so do babies.

In a business, to increase a dividend is to reduce the sums available for new capital spending. If the shareholders are not interested in the future of the company because they can sell their shares tomorrow, they will want to see dividends, not retained profits, in the accounts. The managers, on the other hand, with their own futures linked to that of the business, will want to invest as much as they can in that future. There can often be a conflict of priorities.

If there is no common cause, no agreement on the longer-term goal, the more pressing priority, or the most powerful party, will win out. If we think that we need shareholders more than managers, as we seem to, the shareholders will win. Compromise will be enforced, not voluntary - a British contract rather than a Chinese one. Only if the shareholders are also locked into the future of the business, as shareholders more often are in Japan and Germany, will they have common cause with the managers and be prepared to forego some present gains for future profits. As long, that is, as that common cause seems a worthwhile one. In the end, for the long term to prevail over the short term, we must want what the long term promises. Where there is no vision, there you find short-termism, for then there is no reason to compromise today for an unknown tomorrow.

The concept of stock options, common in Britain and America, is an attempt to make common cause between senior managers and the shareholders. The thinking is that they will tie the managers' compensation more closely to the longer-term performance of the company. It does, but it is because the managers can only make use of those options after a period of years or if the share price goes higher than the price of the options. If all shareholders were treated this way, they would look at the company a little differently. It would significantly alter the balance between the present and the future and so make compromise easier.

From The Age of Paradox, Charles Handy, Harvard Business School Press, 1995

CenTexWFS Presents Dr. Ben Streetman on "Leadership"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:07:00 -0500

The Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 16, 2007. It will be held at the meeting room of Marie Callender's, 9503 Research Blvd. #400, Austin, TX 78759 (512.349.7151) at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Ben Streetman will speak on " Leadership”

Dr. Streetman became Dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering in September 1996.

Dean Streetman is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, and holds the Dula D. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering. His primary area of scholarship is semiconductor materials and devices. After receiving the Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin (1966) he was on the faculty (1966-1982) of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He returned to The University of Texas at Austin in 1982.

Dr. Streetman founded the Microelectronics Research Center in 1984 and was Director until August 31, 1996, when he was appointed as Dean. His teaching and research have been recognized by the Cockrell School of Engineering, which honored him as a Distinguished Graduate and with the General Dynamics Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching. He has also received the Dad's Association Centennial Teaching Fellowship for 1996-97, in recognition of his teaching of undergraduates. He was awarded the Education Medal of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world's largest professional engineering society with more than 300,000 members worldwide. In 1998 he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of The University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Streetman is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is a Fellow of the IEEE and the Electrochemical Society. He was awarded the AT&T Foundation Award of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), and has received the Frederick Emmons Terman Medal of the ASEE, and the Heinrich Welker medal. Dr. Streetman has served on the Science and Technology Advisory Council for ALCOA and the Research Advisory Committee for United Technologies Corp. He serves on the National Academy of Science Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable, and on several other panels and committees in industry and government. He has served on the Board of Directors for National Instruments, Global Marine, and Zix Corporation. He is the author of the book Solid State Electronic Devices which is used throughout the world in four languages, and has published more than 290 technical articles. Thirty-four students of Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Physics have received their doctorates under his direction.

Seating is limited so please reserve your place at:

www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm . (You can also prepay at this link via credit card.)

Price: $20 for members, $25 for non-members, payable at the door (cash or check only). Note: The price is for a meal, but must be paid for attendance even if you choose not to eat a meal.

Agenda: Networking, Announcements, Meal, Speaker, Discussion

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit www.centexwfs.org.

For more information about the World Future Society, visit www.wfs.org.
Paul Schumann, Presidentpaul.schumann@centexwfs.org
512.302.1935www.centexwfs.org

The Transformation of Periatric Health Care in Central Texas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 6 Sep 2007 17:54:00 -0500

The Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society & Dell Children’s Medical Center present “The Transformation of Pediatric Health Care in Central Texas”. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2007, at the Auditorium in the Pat Hayes Education and Conference Center of the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, 4900 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX 78723, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For directions and parking:

http://www.dellchildrens.net/maps_directions_and_parking/

Enter from Mueller Blvd. towards the Main Entrance. The Pat Hayes Education and Conference Center is on the left and immediately in front there is free surface parking.

Dr. Bob Bonar, President and CEO of Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, will be the host of a most interesting evening which will include his remarks about the hospital, a tour of this incredible facility, and dinner.

You cannot attend if you do not register here,

www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm,

by Wednesday, September 12, 2007.

From its specially designed entrances, to the wonderful children’s amphitheater, to the every detail, it is evident that the design process used in developing every aspect of the project was framed with the future in mind. And in how this would impact the future of Central Texas by helping improve how our young ones are cared for. The evening will offer a rare glimpse into a new facility that "will serve as a beacon of opportunity for a shift in the way healthcare projects will be approached."

This is a one-of-a-kind medical center from the ground up, to keep kids inspired, energized and engaged throughout treatment. Amidst the pediatric medical “know-how” and technology, Dell Children’s brings together the healing powers of nature, art and family. This total healing environment includes seven courtyards that represent the seven ecosystems of our 46-county service area, healing gardens, a towering waterfall, windows placed for optimal natural lighting, family lounges, a sibling clubhouse, a family resource center, and a collection of healing art, sculpture and photography unmatched in any medical facility. What’s more, the entire complex is constructed with “green building” principles, and stands committed to sustainable site planning, water, energy, and materials conservation in addition to indoor environmental quality.

Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas is on track to becoming the first hospital in the world to achieve Platinum Status under the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Dr. Bob Bonar started his career in healthcare during the 1970’s as a hospital based street and flight paramedic. He earned an M.A. in Education Administration and an M.S. in Healthcare Administration and went on to become Director of Emergency and Trauma Services at West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown. He left the clinical provider realm and went into health management, serving as administrator of Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City; administrator of the Children’s Hospital at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he also earned a doctorate in health administration and policy. Bob served as president and chief executive officer of Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia and is currently president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Austin, in Austin Texas. He has been a member of the board of directors of NACHRI as well as the Child Health Corporation of America and served on various committees with both of those organizations as well as state advisory committees, faculty positions, and teaching roles.

Please visit the Children’s Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas (http://www.childrensaustin.org ) site. This foundation serves as the fundraising arm for Seton Family of Hospitals’ new Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas and offers exciting volunteer and fundraising events opportunities. As the hospital is providing the meeting at no cost, please consider donating at least what you would have spent attending one of our regular meetings. Any donations made through CenTexWFS for this meeting will be donated to the foundation. Donations will be accepted online or by check made out to and mailed to CenTexWFS. No money will be accepted at the meeting:

www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm

CenTexWFS
PO Box 26947
Austin, TX 78755-0947

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit www.CenTexWFS.org.

Paul Schumann, President: paul.schumann@centexwfs.org, 512.632.6586

Keeping Austin Wyrd

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 2 Aug 2007 09:45:00 -0500

When I first heard the unofficial slogan for Austin, “Keep Austin Weird”, I was turned off. The word “weird” had too many negative connotations for me. But, then I remembered an old mythology that I had written about in March, 1989 for Creativity!, a now defunct IBM magazine*. Some conversations with Natalie Shell (http://www.natalieshell.com/) helped connect the two concepts together and I decided to do some further research. I now understand that the concept of “wyrd” is exactly right for Austin. What do you think?

Once upon a time…

A great tree grew in the earth by a pool of water that was spring fed from the bottom.
The tree was known as the “World Tree” in some customs, “Tree of Life”, or “Word Tree” in others.
The pool of water nourished the tree’s roots.
The tree dropped water from its leaves back into the pool.
The pool was known as the “Well of Wyrd”.
The pool was tended by three women whose names meant:
All that has gone before,
How the past shapes the being now, and
That which should become.
The “Well of Wyrd” is layered with past life, represented by the dew from the tree.
And, is constantly being replenished and stirred by the spring at its bottom.
Those who drank from the pool gained wisdom.

The Anglo-Saxon word “wyrd” is derived from a verb, “weordan”, to become, which in turn is derived from the Indo-European root “uert” meaning to turn. Wyrd literally means that which has become.

In a wider sense, “wyrd” refers to how past actions continually affect and condition the future. It also stresses the interconnected nature of all actions, and how they influence each other. In metaphysical terms, “wyrd” embodies the concept that everything is turning into something else while both being drawn towards and moving out from its own origins. “Wyrd” can be thought of as a process that continually works the patterns of the past through the patterns of the present into the patterns of the future.

By the way, Shakespeare borrowed from this mythology when he created the three witches in Macbeth:

“Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”

The cauldron was the well of wyrd. Stirring the well of wyrd created chaos. And, the three women became witches, who were weird. Hence our modern connotations.

The concept of “wyrd” is complex and deeply ecological. The system of the well and the tree is obviously ecological with respect to the physical world. But, by deeply ecological, I mean that it also applies not only to the physical system, but the social, spiritual and information systems as well. It is “glocal” as well involving the individual and all of humanity. Our past, ancestral and experiential, affects us continually. Yet there is the interplay of our personal wyrd and the universal wyrd and the role we must play in creating our own destiny. We interact with that which has become to create personal patterns that affect and are reflected in the universal patterns. These universal patterns then exert forces that shape our lives.

The patterns created by individuals at a certain time and place create the sprit of the community that shapes the beliefs and behavior of everyone in the community. Every action we take, or don’t take, will have implications for own future choices as well as the future choices of others in the community. Therefore, we have ethical obligations to think carefully about the possible consequences of everything that we do. We are affected and constrained by our past actions, but we are constantly creating what should become through our reaction to present situations.

The three young women tending the tree and the well don’t just simply represent the past, present and future. They stand for:

all that has gone before
the process by which what has gone before and its bonds and connections shape the being that is now
the obligations that exist between people, that must be fulfilled, that shape the present being into what should become

Barton Springs Pool is our Well of Wyrd archetype. It is a physical manifestation of the process of wyrd. We get constant reminders of our past actions and their impacts and constraints on the pool. It is spring feed, but our present state of being produces water that flows into the pool, often polluting it. Dedicated people have fought hard to maintain the obligations we have to each to each other and the future to at least keep it as it now is. As an archetype of our community and its spirit, the pool should be protected, sustained and nurtured. It’s no wonder that people who swim in the pool regularly speak of it as a spiritual experience. It is a spiritual place.

If it is safe to drink the water from the pool, drinking of it should provide wisdom if one reflects on why the water is safe to drink.

I don’t think we’ve done as well on the social, spiritual and informational aspects of our wyrd. We do have a history center, but what about modern history? I don’t think anyone is studying the process of how we have become who we are. And, I’m equally sure that no one is thinking about the network of obligations we have to each other and how that should shape our future.

Keeping Austin wyrd has to become more than an unofficial slogan. It has to become how we perceive, think and act.

* I republished this essay on my blog (http://www.innovationtravelogue.blogspot.com/200)6_11_01_archive.html).

The Future of US Higher Education in the Middle East

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 2 Aug 2007 09:42:00 -0500

The Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society will hold it's next monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 2007. It will be held at the meeting room of Marie Callender's, 9503 Research Blvd. # 400., Austin, TX 78759 (512.349.7151) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Leland Blank & Sallie Sheppard will speak on "The Future of US Higher Education in the Middle East: American University of Sharjah as a Case Study"

Attendance fee is $20 per person, for members, $25 for nonmembers, cash or checks only at the door. (Make checks payable to CenTexWFS.) Credit cards accepted online. The fee includes a meal but is charged for attendance. The meeting room is at the back of the restaurant on the right.

Seating will be limited so please reserve your place and prepay at :

www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm

The American or North American model of higher education is rapidly expanding as the pre-eminent model worldwide - and this trend is projected to continue. The trend is clearly evident in Middle Eastern countries such as Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It is well established that a university-educated citizenry is vitally important to a country's economic expansion, as well as the development of responsible and accountable leaders. It is important to understand how the role of education is positively serving in the development of future Arab leadership, though the turmoil in this region of the world is the subject of daily front-line articles in our Western media.

This presentation will summarize the characteristics of the American model (what makes it unique) and some of the parameters affecting higher education in the Middle East. The material will emphasize the development and growth of the American University of Sharjah, established in the United Arab Emirates in 1997. ADS is a clear example of a successful US-style institution now emerging as an educational leader in the region. The presentation will conclude with a projection of future trends in higher education in the Middle East.

Sallie Sheppard
Dr. Sallie Sheppard has had a career in higher education spanning more than 35 years. She is Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Texas A&M University where she served as Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs and Academic Services for 11 years. She was TAMU Interim Provost in 1995.

In 2001 Dr. Sheppard joined the administration of the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1997 the University is fully accredited with the US Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has more than 4000 students representing more than 70 nationalities. In 2005 Dr. Sheppard retired from AUS as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Dr. Sheppard was co-chair of a higher education review team to China in 1996 and served as an exchange administrator at the University of Technology-Sydney, Australia in 1997. She also held academic posts at the State University of New York at Potsdam and the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Sheppard received the Texas A&M Former Students' Outstanding Award for Teaching in 1985 and for Administration in 1995. She is now retired and lives in Austin, Texas.

Leland Blank
Leland Blank, PhD, PE, is Dean Emeritus of Engineering at the American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and Professor Emeritus of Industrial Engineering at Texas A&M University. While serving as Dean of Engineering at AUS from 2001-05, all undergraduate and graduate programs were accredited by UAE and US agencies, including full ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation.

During his career, Dr. Blank also worked at the University of Texas-EI Paso, Southwestern Bell Telephone, GTE Data Services, and San Antonio Public Service. He served as an officer in the Army during the Vietnam era. He is past international president of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and is a Fellow of the Institute. He served as a congressional appointee to the US Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration's advisory committee.

Lee has authored eight engineering textbooks for McGraw-Hill on the subjects of engineering economy and statistics. His latest textbook is to be published in September 2007. He has worked internationally in the UAE at AUS, Australia through an administrator exchange program, Hungary on a World Bank higher education strategic planning grant, China on a higher education review team, and Japan as co-PI on the Eagle project (Engineering Alliance for Global Education). His areas of interest are international higher education, engineering economics, and strategic planning.

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit www.CenTexWFS.org.

For more information about the World Future Society, visit www.wfs.org.

Paul Schumann
President

E-Mail
512.302.1935

Emergence, Emergent Democracy & the Emerging Second Super Power

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:30:00 -0500

Date: July 9 2007
Time: 7:00p.m. to 8:00 CDT
Where: Texas Forums Virtual Room
Cost: Free
Topic: Emergence, Emergent Democracy & the Emerging Second Super Power

Discussion of the following essays:

Two Ways to Emerge, and How to Tell the Difference Between Them, by
Steven Johnson

The Dead Hand of Modern Democracy: Lessons for Emergent Post-Modern
Democrats, by Ken White

Emergent Democracy, by Joichi Ito

The Second Superpower Rears Its Beautiful Head, by James Moore

This is the third of twelve part discussion series on Extreme Democracy co-sponsored by the Central Texas World Future Society and Texas Forums, an initiative of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum.

The purpose of these discussions is to explore the principles and technologies of Extreme Democracies, and to explore how these concepts and technologies are affecting our own social change efforts, our democracy, and the upcoming election. These discussions will take place online synchronously in the Texas Forums Virtual Room on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Participants are encouraged to also participate in an asynchronous dialogue about the readings for the week on the Extreme Democracy Blog.

You do not have to commit to every session in order to participate. Those who are unavailable for the Monday evening session are encouraged to read the essays, listen to an archive of the discussion, and add their commentary to the blog. The links to each essay and the comment location are provided in the reading list. Most people will prefer to purchase the book. These discussions are free and open to everyone.

Your guides for this journey are:

• Paul Schumann, Founder Central Texas World Future Society
• Taylor Willingham, Founder Texas Forums
• Jon Lebkowsky, Editor Extreme Democracy

For more information about this series including a schedule of events and hardware/software requirements for participation in the series, visit the Texas Forum blog. Read the syllabus here. It includes a description of how to use the virtual meeting room.

Overview & History of Development of Extreme Democracy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:19:00 -0500

Date: June 25, 2007
Time: 7:00p.m. to 8:00 CDT
Where: Texas Forums Virtual Room
Cost: Free
Topic: Overview and History of Development of Extreme Democracy

Interview and discussion with Jon Lebkowsky, co-editor of Extreme Democracy.

This is the second of twelve part discussion series on Extreme Democracy co-sponsored by the Central Texas World Future Society and Texas Forums, an initiative of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum.

The purpose of these discussions is to explore the principles and technologies of Extreme Democracies, and to explore how these concepts and technologies are affecting our own social change efforts, our democracy, and the upcoming election. These discussions will take place online synchronously in the Texas Forums Virtual Room on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Participants are encouraged to also participate in an asynchronous dialogue about the readings for the week on the Extreme Democracy Blog. You do not have to commit to every session in order to participate. Those who are unavailable for the Monday evening session are encouraged to read the essays, listen to an archive of the discussion, and add their commentary to the blog. The links to each essay and the comment location are provided in the reading list. Most people will prefer to purchase the book. These discussions are free and open to everyone.

Your guides for this journey are:
• Paul Schumann, Founder Central Texas World Future Society
• Taylor Willingham, Founder Texas Forums
• Jon Lebkowsky, Editor Extreme Democracy

For more information about this series including a schedule of events and hardware/software requirements for participation in the series, visit the Texas Forum blog. Read the syllabus here. It includes a description of how to use the virtual meeting room.

Paul Schumann
President
E-Mail
512.302.1935
Join the Sessions Here

Extreme Democracy Discussion Series Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:31:00 -0500

To participate in a survey on the future of America’s democracy, click on the link below. The information from this survey will be used to foster discussion in the last program of the extreme democracy discussion series on September 17, 2007.

You may take this survey at any time during this period. You can return to the survey at any time before the survey is closed to change or add to your comments.

Click Here to take survey

A SWOT analysis is a way to utilize the existing knowledge of a team to produce a framework for the development of strategies. It is quick, low cost and can be effective if managed correctly. For small businesses or teams, repeated application of a SWOT analysis may be the only type of strategic analysis required. For larger companies, organizations or highly complex projects, a SWOT analysis is a good way to start a strategic analysis and strategy development project. It can identify the gaps and uncertainties in the existing knowledge base.

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Strengths/Weaknesses are internal. Opportunities/Threats are external.

For more information about SWOT analysis click here.

A Framework for Extreme Democracy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 08:36:00 -0500

Date: June 18, 2007
Time: 7:00p.m. CDT
Where: Texas Forums Virtual Room
Cost: Free
Topic: Framework for Extreme

DemocracyDiscussion by Paul Schumann and attendees of three books: First Democracy: The Challenge of an Ancient Idea, Paul Woodruff, Oxford University Press, 2005, The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism, Michael Novak, Madison Books, 1982, and Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville, Signet Books, 1984. Book reviews of the three books are on the Extreme Democracy blog.

This is the first of twelve part discussion series on Extreme Democracy co-sponsored by the Central Texas World Future Society and Texas Forums, an initiative of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum.The purpose of these discussions is to explore the principles and technologies of Extreme Democracies, and to explore how these concepts and technologies are affecting our own social change efforts, our democracy, and the upcoming election. These discussions will take place online synchronously in the Texas Forums Virtual Room on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Central Time beginning June 18, 2007. Participants are encouraged to also participate in an asynchronous dialogue about the readings for the week on the Extreme Democracy Blog. You do not have to commit to every session in order to participate. Those who are unavailable for the Monday evening session are encouraged to read the essays, listen to an archive of the discussion, and add their commentary to the blog. The links to each essay and the comment location are provided in the reading list. Most people will prefer to purchase the book. These discussions are free and open to everyone.

Your guides for this journey are:

• Paul Schumann, Founder Central Texas World Future Society
• Taylor Willingham, Founder Texas Forums
• Jon Lebkowsky, Editor Extreme Democracy

For more information about this series including a schedule of events and hardware/software requirements for participation in the series, visit the Texas Forum blog.

Flickering Man

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 08:33:00 -0500

I haven't read Andrew Keen's new book - The Cult of the Amateur. But I will. I've been following his blog for about a month - not because I agree with what he's saying, but because I believe we need to be intentionally diverse in our information habits. We have an unprecedented ability to filter ideas...the diverse perspectives of a newspaper can now be recreated in mono-voice blog reading habits. We can comfortably surround ourselves with ideas we already agree with. Britannica Blog is critically exploring the challenge of web 2.0, collectivism, "flight from expertise", and fading of intellectual rigor. Nicholas Carr states we are changing: "Contemplative Man, the fellow who came to understand the world sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, is a goner. He’s being succeeded by Flickering Man, the fellow who darts from link to link, conjuring the world out of continually refreshed arrays of isolate pixels, shadows of shadows." I fully agree, we are changing how we relate to others and how we relate to information. Geetha Narayaran offers a vision of slow and wholeness in learning - an important concept, but one that increasingly is trampled under our feet in our mad rush to stay current and cope with information. While Keen and others may be intentionally provocative in order to sell books and attract publicity, their voices are nodes in a diverse network of understanding. We do need to think about how read/write tools are changing society. How the collective activity of many (Wikipedia) relate to Britannica. I personally don't see them in conflict - when researching, I rely increasingly on journals...when I want information on Zeno's paradoxes (came up in a recent listserv discussion), I go to wikipedia. Different information needs, different approaches. Both camps in this discussion would benefit from a bit of color in existing mono-chromatic views.

From George Siemen, www.elearnspace.org

He has a great newsletter well worth subscribing to.

Extreme Democracy Discussion Series

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:17:00 -0500

Texas Forums and the Central Texas World Future Society are hosting a series of twelve discussions on the essays compiled in the book, Extreme Democracy beginning June 18. The purpose of these discussions is to explore the principles and technologies of Extreme Democracies, and to explore how these concepts and technologies are affecting our own social change efforts, our democracy, and the upcoming election.

For more information and schedule, visit the Texas Forums Blog at http://texasforums.wordpress.com/

An Inconvenient Truth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 May 2007 10:11:00 -0500

The next meeting of the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society will be on Tuesday, June 19, 2007. Come join us to participate in our special program. We will show the video “An Inconvenient Truth” and then join in a discussion lead by Dr. Max More.

The program will be held at the meeting room of Marie Callender's, 9503 Research Blvd. # 400., Austin, TX 78759 (512.349.7151) at 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The program will begin promptly at 6:15 p.m.

Attendance fee is $20 per person, for members, $25 for nonmembers, cash or checks only at the door. (Make checks payable to CenTexWFS.) Credit card can be used online. The fee includes a meal but is charged for attendance. The meeting room is at the back of the restaurant on the right.

Seating will be limited so please reserve your place at :

www.centexwfs.org/index_Register.htm

Max More
Dr. Max More is an internationally acclaimed strategic philosopher widely recognized for his thinking on the philosophical and cultural implications of emerging technologies. Max’s contributions include founding the philosophy of transhumanism, authoring the transhumanist philosophy of extropy, and co-founding Extropy Institute, an organization crucial in building the transhumanist movement since 1990.

Over the past two decades, Max has been concerned that our escalating technological capabilities are racing far ahead of our standard ways of thinking about future possibilities. Through a highly interdisciplinary approach drawing on philosophy, economics, cognitive and social psychology, and management theory, Max developed a distinctive approach known as the “Proactionary Principle”a tool for making smarter decisions about advanced technologies by minimizing the dangers of progress and maximizing the benefits.

“We have a dreadful shortage of people who know so much, can both think so boldly and clearly, and can express themselves so articulately. Carl Sagan managed to capture the public eye but Sagan is gone and has not been replaced. I see Max as my candidate for that post.” (Marvin Minsky)

An Inconvenient Truth
Humanity is sitting on a ticking time bomb. If the vast majority of the world's scientists are right, we have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced.

If that sounds like a recipe for serious gloom and doom -- think again. From director Davis Guggenheim comes the Sundance Film Festival hit, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, which offers a passionate and inspirational look at one man's fervent crusade to halt global warming's deadly progress in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. That man is former Vice President Al Gore, who, in the wake of defeat in the 2000 election, re-set the course of his life to focus on a last-ditch, all-out effort to help save the planet from irrevocable change. In this eye-opening and poignant portrait of Gore and his "traveling global warming show," Gore also proves himself to be one of the most misunderstood characters in modern American public life. Here he is seen as never before in the media - funny, engaging, open and downright on fire about getting the surprisingly stirring truth about what he calls our "planetary emergency" out to ordinary citizens before it's too late.

With 2005, the worst storm season ever experienced in America just behind us, it seems we may be reaching a tipping point - and Gore pulls no punches in explaining the dire situation. Interspersed with the bracing facts and future predictions is the story of Gore's personal journey: from an idealistic college student who first saw a massive environmental crisis looming; to a young Senator facing a harrowing family tragedy that altered his perspective, to the man who almost became President but instead returned to the most important cause of his life - convinced that there is still time to make a difference.

With wit, smarts and hope, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH ultimately brings home Gore's persuasive argument that we can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue - rather, it is the biggest moral challenges facing our global civilization.

Paramount Classics and Participant Productions present a film directed by Davis Guggenheim, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH. Featuring Al Gore, the film is produced by Laurie David, Lawrence Bender and Scott Z. Burns. Jeff Skoll and Davis Guggenheim are the executive producers and the co-producer is Leslie Chilcott.

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit www.CenTexWFS.org. For more information about the World Future Society, visit www.wfs.org.

Paul SchumannPresident
paul.schumann@centexwfs.org
512.302.1935

1750 to 2100 Timeline

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 May 2007 11:09:00 -0500

"Until September 11, 2001 the possibility that the United States would be fighting a major war in the first decade of the 21st century was a remote one for most Americans, if they thought about it at all.

But America's history of conflict gives a very clear indication of a significantly increased probability that the country would be involved in at least one major war between 2004 and 2026.

This increased probability was reported as early as 1995 in an analysis of major trends and events since 1750. The first edition of a timeline of these trends and events was published in 1997. In 1998 an expanded version of the timeline was published. Both editions clearly noted that the United States had a significantly greater probably of being at war during the period from 2004 to 2026."

From Futures Watch (www.futureswatch.org)

Fasinating 1750 to 2100 interactive timeline (www.futureswatch.org/Timeline.htm)

Encyclopedia of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 May 2007 09:55:00 -0500

Comprehensive, collaborative, ever-growing, and personalized, the Encyclopedia of Life is an ecosystem of websites that makes all key information about life on Earth accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. Our goal is to create a constantly evolving encyclopedia that lives on the Internet, with contributions from scientists and amateurs alike. To transform the science of biology, and inspire a new generation of scientists, by aggregating all known data about every living species. And ultimately, to increase our collective understanding of life on Earth, and safeguard the richest possible spectrum of biodiversity.

http://www.eol.org/home.html

Fifth Anniversary of CenTexWFS

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:31:00 -0500

We will be celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society on May 15, 2007. Come join us to hear our special guest speaker Betty Sue Flowers, recognize the people who have worked to create and build this organization, and enjoy each other's company.

The celebration will be held at the meeting room of Marie Callender's, 9503 Research Blvd. # 400., Austin, TX 78759 (512.349.7151) at 6:00 p.m. Attendance fee is $20 per person, for members, $25 for nonmembers, cash or checks only. (Make checks payable to CenTexWFS.) The fee includes a meal but is charged for attendance. The meeting room is at the back of the restaurant on the right.

Seating will be limited so please reserve your place here.

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit www.CenTexWFS.org. For more information about the World Future Society, visit www.wfs.org.

Paul SchumannPresident
E-Mail
512.302.1935

Secretary of the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 11:43:00 -0500

Kurt Vonnegut died recently. In one of his last TV interviews he suggested that the U.S. needs a new cabinet position - Secretary of the Future. Given our present situation I couldn't agree more, if it would help our leaders to become more aware of the impacts of their actions on the future.

So he went: At his life's end, Vonnegut lost faith in people
By Brad Buchholz
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, April 15, 2007

Ten Steps to Take Advantage of the Public's Yearning for Community

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:36:00 -0500

“Ten steps for political, business, and religious leaders who want to take advantage of the public’s yearning for community:

1. Clearly define your purpose. It’s what galvanizes your community.

2. Give your staff the clear sense that they’re vital to achieving a common purpose.

3. Build your organization from the bottom up, not the top down. Technology makes grassroots organizing easier than ever.

4. Give your customers/voters/worshipers a say in how the product/campaign/church is marketed. Recognize that the consumer has more control than ever.

5. Tap into existing networks when possible. Create networks where none exist.

6. Be true to your purpose. Authenticity, accountability, and trust are the keys to building a bond or a brand.

7. Join the online community of bloggers to catch the first whiff of a crisis and to make sure your message is heard in the cyberspace community.

8. Wherever possible, make your enterprise a Third Place, a community outside home and work for people in search of connection.

9. Donate time and money to community causes. Customers are inclined to support civic-minded companies such as Home Depot, according to Bridgeland, the former head of UDSA Freedom Corps.

10. Identify the community’s leaders (Navigators) and get them on your side. Better still, use the Internet and other tools to create products that draw people together in online communities.”

Applebee’s America: How Successful Political, Business, and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community
Douglas Sosnik, Matthew Dowd and Ron Fournier
Simon & Schuster (2006)

Remembering the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 09:24:00 -0500

The Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 17, 2007. It will be held at the meeting room of Marie Callender's, 9503 Research Blvd. #400, Austin, TX 78759 (512.349.7151) at 6:00 p.m.

Dr. Richard D. Grant will speak on "Remembering the Future: A Personal Toolbox”

Our historical background and personality style set an important frame for present problem solving and projections into the future. This presentation will examine different approaches to time and transformation based on personality style, and then will offer a personal toolbox for "remembering the future": self assessments in accessing our historically based assumptions as we approach the future.

Richard D. Grant, Jr., Ph.D., received his Ph.D., from the University of Texas in 1973. He has taught at Auburn and Texas A&M universities, and, since 1977, has been a counseling/consulting psychologist in Austin, Texas. He has authored four books, most recently, Recovering Connections, with Andrea Miller.

He has trained corporations and government agencies for over 20 years, including the executive MBA programs at the University of Texas at Austin, TCU, Texas State University, the University of Notre Dame, and the Texas Governor's Center for Executive Development. His private clients have included Gartner, Inc., Perot Systems, IBM, 3M, Sematech, Applied Materials, and the national center of the American Heart Association.

Seating is limited so please reserve your place at:

www.centexwfs.org/index_files/Register.htm .

Price: $20 for members, $25 for non-members, payable at the door (cash or check only). Note: The price is for a meal, but must be paid for attendance even if you choose not to eat a meal.

Schedule:
Networking
Announcements
Meal
Speaker
Discussion

For more information about the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society, visit www.centexwfs.org .

For more information about the World Future Society, visit www.wfs.org .

Paul Schumann
President
paul.schumann@centexwfs.org
512.302.1935
www.centexwfs.org