Session 10

Classes officially came to an end today and I feel that a very fitting question that we should try to answer so that we can take away something positive from this course is perhaps how can we come up with new an innovative ways to bring about change in this world? The key I feel is to be an open book. As Melinda Gates so perfectly put it, we have to learn from innovators from every sector. We have to adapt to changes as quickly as possible to that our vision of the future is not outdated and in these exponential times, it’s quite a challenge.

Jerry Lewis’ presentation today talked about the possible steps to eradicate poverty. While I still hold an air of skepticism, I don’t doubt people’s ability to reduce poverty. We live in a giving and charitable society. Once we experience giving and the way it makes us feel, we tend to carry on that trend because of the satisfaction it gives us. That’s what we need. We need people to take initiatives rather then the dependence on organizations as a whole. Look at Kiva.com. All it took was one visionary woman to make that change. She saw that it wasn’t money perse that these people were looking for but rather help. They wanted help so that in turn they can learn to help themselves. Sometimes we doubt the ability of people to be independent and that can be catastrophic. When we forget people can learn to be independent, we look to big organizations to solve the problem because we assume that people in poverty are looking for someone to depend on permanently rather then to learn from in the hopes that one day they can do it themselves.

My favorite quote of the whole course came today. “We should work back from the future rather then work from present to future”. It has totally changed my perception on life and how we should live it. It’s not a new concept. We’ve all heard it before for example, “begin with the end in mind”. However I suppose I took it for granted. I realize working back from the future allows you to constantly work at achieving your goals rather working to achieve your goals and that can make all the difference.

Overall, this course has thought me to not be burdened by barriers but be motivated by opportunities to make a difference in the world for we are not truly privileged until we have made a difference in the lives of people.

Session 9 Emerging and future technologies

Today’s session discussed the emerging and future technologies and it’s feasibilities. Future technologies can literally happen in any sector as was mentioned during class. However just because we have the ability to create these new technologies, is it necessary that we utilize it?

Nanotechnology and Cryonic technology used to resurrect the dead. Many people in the class feel that it is unnecessary as death is essentially a natural process of life and that we should not interfere with it. Of course there are many reasons why it is unnecessary. However the most valid one I feel is probably the ethical reasoning. Should we focus on bringing back people from the dead? Or should the money be better spent invested on improving the quality of life of the people who are living. It is more practical so ensure that we focus on technologies that help people live the best possible way with whatever time they have on earth rather then merely living up to an age of 500 simply because we found a way to ensure you never have to die. However one must admit that skepticism arises when we have yet to actually resurrect someone. When the time comes when we do, then we will be in a better position to weigh the pros and cons of having someone who lived in the 60’s to be living in the 21^st century while maintaining his youth.

Another topic discussed today was Nuclear Fusion and whether it’s the best form of alternative energy. We should definitely focus on it and put more emphasis on it because this is one form on energy that can essential solve our energy needs instead of having a few options like solar energy or wind generators. If we can successfully create as much energy as the sun then, then problems such as providing energy for a rising population or finding new forms of sustainable energy will become mute. Countries will also become more self sufficient in creating energy for its population and never have to worry about the lack of it thus facilitating progress. Hence why not focus on Nuclear Fusion? We can basically solve every energy related problem.

However something in the class really affected me, and which may not necessarily pertain to TWC directly but why would any man or woman for that matter want to fall in love with a ROBOT? Correct if I’m wrong but isn’t part of falling in love with someone related to chase and the mini dance you do when you try and court someone? It’s not possible to do that with a Robot that you program to focus on you. I don’t doubt that they will have the intelligence of human and certain emotions but there is one thing we cannot have with Robots and that is “chemistry”. That is just a personal opinion but one which I am almost certain our generation can relate to. However I wouldn’t be surprised in the age our children grow up it, falling in love with robots maybe a norm because it’s a societal norm.

Overall is was a good class, thought provoking and never ceasing to break my boundaries.

Session 8 Renewable energy

If there is one thing to take a way from today’s session is that the biggest barrier that hinders renewable energy from reaching its potential is cooperation. This is evident in the reading son vista as well as from the presentations today.

Reading 3 from vista states that energy policy makers have to consider many other factors and not solely on energy. For instance, the social impact, the economic impact among others. The problem here is that people are so focused on their own current needs that they forget the big picture and thus do not provide the appropriate concession for it. Below are some factors to explain my point:

- People only focus on investing in renewable energy if it will bring in profits in the long run for themselves. Therefore renewable energy becomes a business decision. So if we find a renewable energy source that it not profitable do we through away the idea? We might if we carry on with a business mindset.

- Governments and various organizations tend to see renewable energy as an alternative energy source. Yes 10 to 20 years ago that might have been the case. Not anymore. We have to change that mindset and realize that we have to eventually make renewable energy our only source of energy. A simple change of words from alternative to main energy source can make a difference.

- Minor barriers or excuses? Fossil fuels are cheaper alternatives. How long can we hide behind that excuse? Sustainable development is the only way we can carry on with our extensive energy consumption without resulting in end of the world situations. It is essential to change to these problems into opportunities to find ways to make renewable energy a cheaper solution, which there are many cases of.

What lessons can we take away from this? One is that we need to be more cooperative when it comes to moving renewable energy in the right direction, which is forward. Secondly, we need to change our mindset and realize that the future is now and that renewable energy is which was the solution for the future has become the solution for now.

I would rate this session an 8/10 because it brought about more insight the actual progress on renewable energy. Although things are being done, it is not nearly enough and we have to find ways to reach the maximum potential or renewable energy.