Hottest Summer Ever in Taiwan
News of the Future 25/08/2011 09:21
August 25, 2035 - This summer is considered as the hottest ever in Taiwan. The temperature will for the first time average over 35 degrees Celsius for more than 60 days during the summer. The heat is causing power shortages due to air conditioners in homes and factories.
Authorities report that a lot of elderly and homeless have died of heat stroke. Another concern is water shortages in several parts of the country to come later on as a result of the heat, and it can seriously affect agriculture where 70-75% of the water is used.
30 years ago the temperature only average over 35 degrees for 40 days, but due to the global warming it will continue to increase during this century.
Argument: According to Professor Liu Chung-ming of National Taiwan University's Global Change Research Center two-thirds of Taiwan's summer will average over 35 degrees Celsius by 2035, due to global warming.
Questions: How can people prepare to cope with heat waves in the future since they will be more common because of the global warming?
Is Tickle the Future of the Movie Industry?
News of the Future 24/08/2011 09:25
August 24, 2020 - The first full-length animated movie with realistic-looking humans, "Tickle" opens tonight. It is an intriguing thriller about a woman who gets framed by her husband, but the most intriguing is to see if you can spot the difference between real actors and these created by computers.
Computer animation has developed a lot since the first full-length movie "Toy Story" in 1995, and the first attempt of a full-length movie with humans "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" in 2001. The challenge and difficulties to create humans in animation lies mainly in the eye of the beholder, since we are so trained to see human behavior, movements, facial expressions etc.
Many people state that this is the future of the movie industry, since you don't have to pay actors US$ 25 million to appear in a movie, you can just license his face as a trademark if you like and let the computers do the rest. However, there is still some time left before this type of movies will save money for the studios; the budget for "Tickle" was about US$ 190 million.
They have also taken the opportunity it gives to re-create actors that are no longer active. A lot of effort was made to give a supporting role to the like of James Dean, a successful movie star that was tragically killed in a car accident 65 years ago. However, all resemblance between the tall homosexual clerk with the high-pitched voice saying "I'll be back" and the former action hero of the 1990s Arnold Schwarzenegger, is purely coincidental according to the director.
So, to the big question, can you see that the movie is only made by computers with no real actors? Well, go and see for yourself tonight!
Argument: Since the speed for processing information is constantly increasing and the cost decreasing, it will be possible to make more advanced animated movies. Software development is also a key to develop more realistic-looking humans. Movie studios that are not depending on established actors will be able to act more flexible.
Questions: If you can't tell the difference between an animated and real footage, is there a risk that news can be fabricated, like a president giving a speech with a different meaning than the original? Will people be interested in movies that look like it has real actors, but are only computer generated? How will quantum computing affect the rendering of animated movies when it becomes available later on?
Is Tickle the Future of the Movie Industry?
News of the Future 24/08/2011 09:25
August 24, 2020 - The first full-length animated movie with realistic-looking humans, "Tickle" opens tonight. It is an intriguing thriller about a woman who gets framed by her husband, but the most intriguing is to see if you can spot the difference between real actors and these created by computers.
Computer animation has developed a lot since the first full-length movie "Toy Story" in 1995, and the first attempt of a full-length movie with humans "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" in 2001. The challenge and difficulties to create humans in animation lies mainly in the eye of the beholder, since we are so trained to see human behavior, movements, facial expressions etc.
Many people state that this is the future of the movie industry, since you don't have to pay actors US$ 25 million to appear in a movie, you can just license his face as a trademark if you like and let the computers do the rest. However, there is still some time left before this type of movies will save money for the studios; the budget for "Tickle" was about US$ 190 million.
They have also taken the opportunity it gives to re-create actors that are no longer active. A lot of effort was made to give a supporting role to the like of James Dean, a successful movie star that was tragically killed in a car accident 65 years ago. However, all resemblance between the tall homosexual clerk with the high-pitched voice saying "I'll be back" and the former action hero of the 1990s Arnold Schwarzenegger, is purely coincidental according to the director.
So, to the big question, can you see that the movie is only made by computers with no real actors? Well, go and see for yourself tonight!
Argument: Since the speed for processing information is constantly increasing and the cost decreasing, it will be possible to make more advanced animated movies. Software development is also a key to develop more realistic-looking humans. Movie studios that are not depending on established actors will be able to act more flexible.
Questions: If you can't tell the difference between an animated and real footage, is there a risk that news can be fabricated, like a president giving a speech with a different meaning than the original? Will people be interested in movies that look like it has real actors, but are only computer generated? How will quantum computing affect the rendering of animated movies when it becomes available later on?
First Hotel on the Moon Finally Opens
News of the Future 23/08/2011 09:31
August 23, 2025 - Today a new chapter in space tourism was written. Rod Markham and his wife-to-be Susan Millster arrived safely to the moon to spend 5 days as the first guests at the Starbright Hotel that was set up for this purpose two years ago.
Not are they only the first hotel guests on the moon, they also set a new record for expensive accommodation since the price was US$ 3,7 million per night, per person. However, the exclusive transfer from earth to the hotel was included in the price.
The hotel itself will probably have a tough time just to try to gain one star at any hotel rating system, since there is no room service, the guests have to do the cleaning of the room themselves and there is no bathroom in them. However, they have more stars than they need just outside their window.
Rod and Susan will get married through link by their local minister in San Diego, California at 9.00pm EST tonight, and the wedding will be broadcasted live by several major TV networks in a 1-hour special including the preparations for the trip.
They were accompanied by six other astronauts that during the stay will set up further accommodations for the guests that have made reservations at the Starbright Hotel next year. The hotel has so far no employees, only temporary staff when guests.
Argument: Apart from the few tourists that already have been out in space, commercial space flights will be available in 2008 through companies like Space Adventures and Virgin Galactic, even though they will just be out in space for a short time. Since several organizations plan to put the first man on Mars by 2030, new trips to the moon will take place around 2015-2020. That combined with the increasing interest in space tourism in the next decade will open up to the possibility to make a reservation on the moon.
Questions: How will the first permanent accommodations on the moon look like? Will we be able to follow space flights live on TV, like today's reality shows? What will a vacation on the moon be like, what would the exclusive attractions be apart from the view?
First Hotel on the Moon Finally Opens
News of the Future 23/08/2011 09:31
August 23, 2025 - Today a new chapter in space tourism was written. Rod Markham and his wife-to-be Susan Millster arrived safely to the moon to spend 5 days as the first guests at the Starbright Hotel that was set up for this purpose two years ago.
Not are they only the first hotel guests on the moon, they also set a new record for expensive accommodation since the price was US$ 3,7 million per night, per person. However, the exclusive transfer from earth to the hotel was included in the price.
The hotel itself will probably have a tough time just to try to gain one star at any hotel rating system, since there is no room service, the guests have to do the cleaning of the room themselves and there is no bathroom in them. However, they have more stars than they need just outside their window.
Rod and Susan will get married through link by their local minister in San Diego, California at 9.00pm EST tonight, and the wedding will be broadcasted live by several major TV networks in a 1-hour special including the preparations for the trip.
They were accompanied by six other astronauts that during the stay will set up further accommodations for the guests that have made reservations at the Starbright Hotel next year. The hotel has so far no employees, only temporary staff when guests.
Argument: Apart from the few tourists that already have been out in space, commercial space flights will be available in 2008 through companies like Space Adventures and Virgin Galactic, even though they will just be out in space for a short time. Since several organizations plan to put the first man on Mars by 2030, new trips to the moon will take place around 2015-2020. That combined with the increasing interest in space tourism in the next decade will open up to the possibility to make a reservation on the moon.
Questions: How will the first permanent accommodations on the moon look like? Will we be able to follow space flights live on TV, like today's reality shows? What will a vacation on the moon be like, what would the exclusive attractions be apart from the view?
Transcript from Multi Voice Recognition to be used as Evidence
News of the Future 16/08/2011 09:35
August 16, 2020 - For the first time a court case is based on a multi voice recognition transcript as the main evidence. It was when Frank Levin took part in a dispute with four people that resulted in a fired gun that killed Adam Denny. The three other all testified that Frank had pulled the trigger, while Frank claims that according to the transcript, it clearly states that he was not the one holding the gun.
The challenge for Frank Levin's attorney in this case is to make a multi voice recognition transcript valid as proof of evidence in itself, since the conversation was not recorded. Frank had his voice recognition software in "text mode only" on his cell phone, so during the conversation no talk was saved; only a text file was created. The case is assumed to mainly be about the reliance in this technology which in the long run could benefit the development of voice recognition software.
Multi voice recognition has become widely popular for the last years, especially within the business world, since it allows all meetings to be recorded and transcripted simultaneously, with every quote related to the correct person. When the meeting is over, everyone gets a transcript of the meeting, easily searchable for the correct information. More and more people are also creating official "talklogs" where they record everything they say and publish it as diaries.
Argument: Voice recognition software has developed from demanding hours of the person to use it to create a profile for the software to recognize a voice and put it in text while speaking, to just a few minutes. In 2010 there will be software that can generate text without making a personal profile first. This opens up the possibility for multi voice recognition simultaneously to be used at meetings etc. to create a transcript while talking.
Questions: In what other ways can more advanced voice recognition be used? If voice recognition software will be used to record speech in a cell phone with an instant transcript, basically any conversation can be available in text. Will there be a practical need for that? Will "talklogs" become readable reality shows?
Transcript from Multi Voice Recognition to be used as Evidence
News of the Future 16/08/2011 09:35
August 16, 2020 - For the first time a court case is based on a multi voice recognition transcript as the main evidence. It was when Frank Levin took part in a dispute with four people that resulted in a fired gun that killed Adam Denny. The three other all testified that Frank had pulled the trigger, while Frank claims that according to the transcript, it clearly states that he was not the one holding the gun.
The challenge for Frank Levin's attorney in this case is to make a multi voice recognition transcript valid as proof of evidence in itself, since the conversation was not recorded. Frank had his voice recognition software in "text mode only" on his cell phone, so during the conversation no talk was saved; only a text file was created. The case is assumed to mainly be about the reliance in this technology which in the long run could benefit the development of voice recognition software.
Multi voice recognition has become widely popular for the last years, especially within the business world, since it allows all meetings to be recorded and transcripted simultaneously, with every quote related to the correct person. When the meeting is over, everyone gets a transcript of the meeting, easily searchable for the correct information. More and more people are also creating official "talklogs" where they record everything they say and publish it as diaries.
Argument: Voice recognition software has developed from demanding hours of the person to use it to create a profile for the software to recognize a voice and put it in text while speaking, to just a few minutes. In 2010 there will be software that can generate text without making a personal profile first. This opens up the possibility for multi voice recognition simultaneously to be used at meetings etc. to create a transcript while talking.
Questions: In what other ways can more advanced voice recognition be used? If voice recognition software will be used to record speech in a cell phone with an instant transcript, basically any conversation can be available in text. Will there be a practical need for that? Will "talklogs" become readable reality shows?
World Population Reaches Nine Billion
News of the Future 15/08/2011 10:37
August 15, 2050 - Earlier this morning a new-born girl outside of the city Djambala in the Republic of Congo was born, and became the symbolic nine billionth person in the world. The 23-year-old mother Makemba Ngollo said that she was very happy for the arrival of Titi, as the baby will be called.
Titi is purely a symbolic choice by the UN, since it is impossible to know where the exact nine billionth person is born, since several children are born every second around the world. The choice of a baby from the Republic of Congo coincides with their national holiday today as they celebrate 90 years of independence.
Argument: According to United Nations' World Population Prospects 2004 Revision, the world's population will reach 9.1 billion by 2050, with India as the most populous nation, with a projected decline in fertility to slightly over 2 children per woman in 2050 (from 2.6 children in 2004). Even though the administrative system will be more efficient in the developing parts of the world by then, it will still be difficult to determine the exact number of people in the world.
Questions: What affects on the world will the increase of the world?s population with almost 50% until 2050 have, which of course will be unprecedented in human history in number of people? Are there necessary steps that have to be taken to make sure that we for instance produce enough food for such a huge population?
World Population Reaches Nine Billion
News of the Future 15/08/2011 10:37
August 15, 2050 - Earlier this morning a new-born girl outside of the city Djambala in the Republic of Congo was born, and became the symbolic nine billionth person in the world. The 23-year-old mother Makemba Ngollo said that she was very happy for the arrival of Titi, as the baby will be called.
Titi is purely a symbolic choice by the UN, since it is impossible to know where the exact nine billionth person is born, since several children are born every second around the world. The choice of a baby from the Republic of Congo coincides with their national holiday today as they celebrate 90 years of independence.
Argument: According to United Nations' World Population Prospects 2004 Revision, the world's population will reach 9.1 billion by 2050, with India as the most populous nation, with a projected decline in fertility to slightly over 2 children per woman in 2050 (from 2.6 children in 2004). Even though the administrative system will be more efficient in the developing parts of the world by then, it will still be difficult to determine the exact number of people in the world.
Questions: What affects on the world will the increase of the world?s population with almost 50% until 2050 have, which of course will be unprecedented in human history in number of people? Are there necessary steps that have to be taken to make sure that we for instance produce enough food for such a huge population?
The World's Largest Cross-Country Skirace is Cancelled...Forever
News of the Future 08/08/2011 13:42
August 8, 2025 - Due to the global warming and higher temperatures for the last years, the arrangers of the world's largest annual cross-country skirace, Vasaloppet in Sweden, has decided not to continue. They have had problems for several years to make enough snow for the 89 kilometer race and it has been cancelled now and then, the first time already in 1990.
The skirace started in 1922 and the arranger say that they are pleased that they have been able to keep the tradition alive for more than a century. More than 600,000 people have during the years been skiing from Sälen to Mora, the same route that the Swedish king-to-be, Gustav Vasa made in 1521 on his way escaping from Danish soldiers to Norway (although he went the other way, from Mora to Sälen).
Argument: According to Swedish meteorologist Pär Holmgren, the global warming will increase the temperature so it will be impossible to continue with Vasaloppet. The race was cancelled in 1990, and in 2005 the cost for providing the track with enough snow was US$ 1.6 million, or a loss of about US$ 40 per participant. It will not be possible to maintain the contest as it is today, so if there are no revolutionary inventions to provide that much snow, they will either have to quit, or move to a more northern location.
Questions: Apart from the general problem with global warming, will it affect any other similar events? When a city is chosen to host the Winter Olympics, will the availability of snow be an issue that narrows down the candidates? Will the demand for snow increase in the next 20 years due to all established events that will be affected?
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