Stories of the future - science fiction, foresight and the future

I’ve just completed a unit on Sustainability as part of my masters in Foresight. We had a fantastic lecture from Frank Fisher, who is a published writer and is involved at Swinburne’s National Centre for Sustainability. Frank’s a keen cycler. I am a keen cycler. The following quote from his writing was one that shifted my thinking on what it means to be passed by a car on a hill.

Imagine a cyclist with enough insight to recognise that her apparently slow progress from one urban location to another is actually some three or four times faster than the speedy DODOs (driver only driver owned car) whizzing past her. To do this she would have to be aware of the time drivers spend earning the right to access (i.e. purchase) their cars and that that time must be factored into the calculation of their speed. In most cases therefore, DODOs in an urban context are the wrong messages!”

Frank Fisher. ‘Imag(in)ing Sustainability: metaphorical change for sustainability’, JVAEE, 30, 1. 2007.

I wonder if it ever crossed Alessio’s mind that a girl (his girl) could hack into his own website. Well.. let’s just say it’s now been done.

How are things in the world of this up and coming author’s “other half”?
Well… other than the constant questions as to the whereabouts of Alessio (and when he’ll be back), and “Wow, what’s Clarion?” and “Gosh, six weeks- that’s AGES… do you miss him?” I’d say fine. I’m seriously considering getting that T-shirt printed though. You know… the one that says “Yes- Alessio is away. He’s at Clarion South- please see the website for further details: www.clarionsouth.org, or see his blog site www.storiesofthefuture.com”. I wonder if everyone else’s partners are experiencing the same.

Anyway, Alessio (if you read this- which I’m sure you will seeing as you seem to be religiously updating this blog site you’ve so brilliantly created). You’re doing a fantastic job at Clarion- haha subjective probably BUT, granted the late nights you’ve described and thousands of words being written and read… I’m sure you’re doing great! Such a brilliant opportunity! We’re all glad back home that you’re making the most of it .

My final note- please try and come home in one piece, so we can hear all your adventures first hand!

Linny.

Time Magazine nominates the ‘2006 Person of the Year’ - You. That’s right, in the coveted editorial section of Time - reserved in other years for the likes of Bill Gates, Bill Clinton and Rudolph Giuliani - the editors aren’t talking about any single person. Instead, they’re acknowledging the massive impact that the internet has had on empowering consumers, putting the world into your hands. This is a fantastic editorial, covering the meteoric rise of sites like YouTube.com, detailing remarkable individuals that have done everything from whistleblowing on government scandals to writing over 12,000 book reviews on Amazon. For anyone wishing to glimpse the future of the internet, this is a must.

Visit Time ‘Person of The Year’ site - http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1569514,00.html
Read the ‘Power To The People’ article - http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1569526,00.html