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Comic Box: Futurist tale from Ales Kot brimming with scientific jargon

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Prolific comic book author and futurist Warren Ellis has had some choice words for those people who ask questions like, "where's my jetpack?" as they decry the lack of the tomorrow land they were promised. The future shown to us by the science fiction of my childhood and many others is one which we have made obsolete, or leapfrogged past or abandoned entirely.

The future is here and it is weird and the new futures dreamed up by science fiction prophets are in many ways even stranger than anything we ever imagined being. For me this is best embodied by the predicted technological singularity, the point at which technology will move beyond human control and fundamentally alter our world or the universe at large. Alongside this is the proliferation of theories abounding in the realm of physics known as string theory, the most interesting to my mind being the holographic principle. At its simplest interpretation, this hypothesis postulates that the universe is a holograph, bringing into question the very nature of our reality.

Taking the world we live in, pushing it very close to the edge of something that sounds like a small step from a kind of singularity and the holographic principle, we have Ales Kot's new book "The Surface." Starting in Tanzania we are introduced to a polyamorous relationship composed of a threesome of hackers and rebels looking for the pan time and space realm referred to in urban legend as the Surface, where the universal holograph is accessible and your thoughts directly and immediately effect the reality around you.

The first issue also throws around quite a lot of dialogue regarding the free flow of information, hacking, government overreach, privacy rights and the abandonment of personal privacy, and a great many other issues pressing in current events and breathing down the neck of our future.

The first issue of "The Surface" closes with our adventurous threesome reaching their goal and the world getting even weirder. The bulk of the issue is composed of information and stage dressing though, not all of it terribly gripping. A great deal of scientific jargon is dropped and quasi philosophical bon mots litter the overstuffed panels.

Despite this Kot manages to put together an issue that is frequently sharp, and doesn't hesitate to make sharp comments about art, artists, and the culture of creativity. In many ways the first issue of "The Surface" suffers from "first issue syndrome" in that it does a whole lot of set up but doesn't give us a lot to become emotionally invested in. That said, it gives us a great deal that is thought provoking and worth reading more about in the hopes that both parts of the equation can meet.

In many ways "The Surface" brings to mind Warren Ellis's seminal work "Transmetropolitan." I would go so far as to say that the first issue compresses a great many of the most salient points of the series into super concentrated tidbits and I would be shocked if the series did not go on to further draw on the spirit of that series. For those who have followed Ellis and his futurist writings "The Surface" will hit some of the same sweet spots that his work does.

The ideas presented so far are big and worthy of exploration, but whether Kot's book grows into the gleams of potential evident in the first issue and the ability to thoroughly explore them remains to be seen. That said the potential is there, and with the creativity shown so far it would be a shame to not give it at least the chance to impress us.

WILLIAM KULESA can be reached at jjournalcomicbox@gmail.com

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Comic Box: Futurist tale from Ales Kot brimming with scientific jargon

Create Thy Future Mr. Futurist: Jack Uldrich to Keynote 8 Events in May

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Miami, FL (PRWEB) April 01, 2015

As a professional futurist, Jack Uldrich frequently ends his talks with the rather obvious reminder that no one can predict the future. He then twists this fact by flashing Peter Druckers famous quotation: The best way to predict your future is to create it. Uldrich says he loves the idea of creating the future because it is empowering, optimistic and action-oriented. But, above all, it is true.

Jack Uldrich is a renowned global futurist, independent scholar, sought-after business speaker, and bestselling author. And this April Uldrich is preparing to deliver eight keynote addresses to a variety of organizations:

April 7: Kidde Fire Systems | Jacksonville, FL

April 9 & 10: West Kendall Baptist Hospital | Miami, FL

April 12 & 13 Stiles | Atlanta, GA

April 14: BCBS | Durham, NC

April 15: NC Association of Electric Coop | Raleigh, NC

April 16: Foth | Green Bay

April 23: Association for Hose & Accesories | Miami, FL

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Create Thy Future Mr. Futurist: Jack Uldrich to Keynote 8 Events in May

The future of journalism, and mobile: Futurist Speaker Gerd Leonhard Interview at MojoCon Dublin – Video

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The future of journalism, and mobile: Futurist Speaker Gerd Leonhard Interview at MojoCon Dublin
This is a short interview recorded at the Mobile Journalism Conference MoJoCon in Dublin March 27 2015, see http://mojocon.rte.ie/ The slides used in my keynote (and soon, the video of it)...

By: Gerd Leonhard

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The future of journalism, and mobile: Futurist Speaker Gerd Leonhard Interview at MojoCon Dublin - Video

The future of learning, training and education: Futurist Speaker Gerd Leonhard at LT15 London – Video

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The future of learning, training and education: Futurist Speaker Gerd Leonhard at LT15 London
This is the complete video from my keynote on learning technology and the future at LT15 in London (Feb 3 2015), discussing the kend trends that will impact learning, training and education...

By: Gerd Leonhard

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The future of learning, training and education: Futurist Speaker Gerd Leonhard at LT15 London - Video

Big Data and Future of Marketing – conference speaker – Futurist keynote – Video

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Big Data and Future of Marketing - conference speaker - Futurist keynote
Clip from Patrick Dixon #39;s keynote at the Sampo Liidrite Foorum on data and the future of marketing. There is huge value in data, BIG data and understanding and structuring it. Offering customised...

By: Patrick Dixon Futurist Keynote Speaker for Industry Conference

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Big Data and Future of Marketing - conference speaker - Futurist keynote - Video

Technology helps manage Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease – The Medical Futurist – Video

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Technology helps manage Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease - The Medical Futurist
With all these technological advances, improvements and new devices coming to the market, we could significantly improve the lives of Parkinson #39;s and Alzheimer #39;s disease patients. They...

By: The Medical Futurist

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Technology helps manage Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease - The Medical Futurist - Video

A Futurists Foresight: Ten Trends Transforming Tomorrow

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Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) March 26, 2015

No one can predict the future; but global futurist Jack Uldrich helps organizations prepare for it.

Jack Uldrich is a leading global futurist, speaker, and author of eleven books, including a number of awards and winning best sellers. As a recognized global futurist, Uldrich frequently speaks on technology, change management and leadership. He is joining the International Card manufacturers Association for their 2015 Expo in Phoenix next Tuesday, March 30th. Uldrich will share his energy, anecdotes, and thoughtful business and personal advice, and aim to educate, entertain, and inspire his ICMA audience members. He will deliver his keynote: Foresight 2020: The Ten Trends Transforming Tomorrow.

Through his keynotes and follow up strategy sessions Uldrich helps a wide variety of organizations and their leaders gain the critical foresight they need to create a successful future. His work is based on the transformational principles of unlearning or freeing yourself from obsolete knowledge and assumptions as a strategy to survive and thrive in an era of unparalleled change.

Uldrich argues that creativity and action are more powerful and versatile than knowledge. He says, "Unless a person is constantly acquiring new knowledge and unlearning old obsolete knowledge, their assertions of years of experience must be taken with a healthy dose of salt." He regularly makes television appearances on the Science Channels FutureScape program and the Discovery Channel show Inside Out, and is a frequent guest on major media outlets, including CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.

As a writer, Uldrich is also an ongoing contributor on emerging technologies and future trends for a number of publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Wired Magazine and BusinessWeek. Jack is a former naval intelligence officer and Defense Department official. Uldrich previously served as the director of the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning.

Parties interested in learning more about Uldrich, his writing or speaking availability are encouraged to go to his website. Media wishing to interview him, or know more about the event can contact Amy Tomczyk at (612) 343-0060.

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A Futurists Foresight: Ten Trends Transforming Tomorrow

Latest Business Trends for Leaders

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Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) March 24, 2015

Global futurist Jack Uldrich has made a career out of helping leading organizations future-proof themselves, and he loves doing it. "The futurist's job is to focus on the big picture and point out the 800-pound gorillas that others are missing because their attention is focused elsewhere," says Uldrich. "I want to help future-proof as many businesses as I can against all of the changes that are coming tomorrow. Business models are changing daily, while others are fading away completely, so it's important as a futurist to help the organizations I work with to be aware of their blind spots."

The days that Uldrich isnt busy traveling the country speaking on future-proofing, unlearning and top tech trends, he spends researching and 'seeing' what the latest changes in technology may be and then writes on those trends. Uldrich is the author is of over 11 books, his most recent book is "Foresight 20/20."

Uldrichs keynotes are thought provoking, motivating and incredibly easy to digest and relate to. His next engagement is today at the 2015 Innovation Leadership Summit in Scottsdale. Uldrich's other keynotes have included PIMA, ABB/Thomas & Betts Emax 2 product launches, Verizon Wireless Connected Technology Tour, and Emersons Global Community Exchange.

Uldrich's approach to future-proofing businesses is all about taking the blinders off and taking on the Big AHA which is Uldrichs acronym for Awareness, Humility and Action. According to Uldrich, Many potential and upcoming innovations are already foreseeable given today's capabilities and tools. What's needed to reveal them is awareness and the humility to give up stuck-in-a-rut thinking patterns that stifle useful questions and possibilities. Then, a course of action can turn these desired futures into new realities.

Easier said than done but Uldrich plans to forge ahead and future-proof as many businesses as he can. Following his keynote for the 2015 Innovation Leadership Summit, Uldrich will speak with a leading pharmaceuticals firm in New York and deliver the keynote address for the 2015 Expo for the International Card Manufacturers Association in Phoenix on March 30th.

Parties interested in learning more about Uldrich, his writing or speaking availability are encouraged to go to his website. Media wishing to interview him or to learn more about the event can contact Amy Tomczyk at (612) 343-0060.

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Latest Business Trends for Leaders

UF student awarded Young Futurist by popular website

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President Barack Obama strolled past UF student Kiona Elliott in the White House courtyard.

It was the 2013 White House Science Fair, and she stood next to the bicycle-powered water-filtration system she and her high school team had developed.

She invited him to hop on and try it. He did, and she explained to him how his pedaling provided energy to the device.

I still cant believe that I had the opportunity to meet him, she said. Ill see him on TV, or Ill read an article about him, and it hits me really randomly that Ive met him and Ive shaken his hand. Its crazy.

For this and other accomplishments, the 20-year-old horticultural science sophomore has been named a 2015 Young Futurist by The Root, an African-American news, opinion and culture website.

The site selected 25 people around the U.S. between the ages of 16 and 22 who have shown leadership in their communities. Tafari John-King, a 2014 Young Futurist she met at the Aspen Ideas Festival, nominated Elliott.

After graduating from Northeast High School in Oakland Park, Elliott went on to found S.T.E.A.M. Academy, a UF student organization dedicated to solving global problems with science, technology, engineering, art, math and compassion.

The club chooses a different challenge to focus its projects on each year, she said. This years is world hunger and food insecurity.

Elliott said the hardest part of her work is finding balance between her academic and extracurricular responsibilities.

I tend to stretch myself too thin by getting involved with a bunch of things, she said.

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UF student awarded Young Futurist by popular website


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