The Top 10 Technology Game Changers for the Next Decade
How close to reality are some of our most futuristic fantasies? Consider that going to the moon was once a giant step for mankind, but in the near future you’ll be able to purchase a two-week vacation to the International Space Station (if you’ve got a few million bucks to spare, of course). Here’s our list of 10 incredible technological innovations that are poised to change our lives within the next decade.
In 2000, the United States launched the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) to advance nanotechnology research, development, and infrastructure. Other countries around the world, from South Korea to Germany, have launched similar initiatives. As we move toward more digital and mobile lifestyles, nanotechnology is being recognized for its invaluable properties in sensation, speed, durability, and energy-efficiency. What is it and what countries are leading in its innovation?
This content was produced by GOOD with support of IBM
Every Tuesday, thousands of patents are issued in the United States, with more than 250,000 issued in 2012. Patents recognize inventors and protect the originality of their ideas, so they can continue to create the innovations that power the world around us. From the technology you carry in your pocket to the type of flowers in your garden, they’ve all come from patents. For 20 years running, IBM has been awarded the most U.S. patents with 6,478 issued in 2013 alone. Check out some of their patents in the infographic above.
–
Also: Check out IBM’s tumblr, IBMblr. We’re big fans.
This August, 40 pioneering millennials will embark on a train journey across the country. Where early pioneers went west, these millennials will go east—from the San Francisco Bay to the District of Columbia—stopping in ten cities along the way to explore local examples of innovation and advance creative projects of their own design.
Innovation makes the world go around, so why not crowdfund it? The best thinkers and ideamakers are the those who can make collective progress, so if we support their causes, projects, and ideas, we can be a part of bettering the future of our planet.
Maybe you don’t know what causes you care about yet, or maybe you’re still searching. Consider this a guide of the goodness you can get behind. Take a look at GOOD’s curated Kickstarter page, which we’ll be updating regularly, and check back every Saturday for a round up of our favorite projects from the crowdfunding world.
How will the internet affect the human brain and human culture as a whole? This story is still being played out. In a 2009 study published in the journal Cell Death and Differentiation, Italian scientists found that physical activity, social interaction, and multi-sensory stimulation affects the central nervous system both in terms of turning on certain genes as well as causing the increased growth of cells, especially the visual system of the cerebral cortex. For example, the act of reading these words is influencing the connections in your brain right now. But since we, humans, are the ones creating this technology, we are equally responsible for how we use it. We can choose when we use technology, and we can choose when to turn it off. We can also choose when to focus our attention on the things that are deeply important—truly being present with people we love.
The process has been a designer’s dream: translating a sketchy idea into something with a life of its own, just waking up to the almost unlimited potential influence we have, through what we learn and teach, the clients and projects we take on, and the graduates who leave to exert their own influence in corporations, non-profits, governments and as entrepreneurs around the world.
As the election season kicks off, GOOD and MTV want to cut past all the blustering, pontificating, and finger pointing to get to the heart of some of the most important issues that America is facing today. Join us every other Wednesday for the next two months, when we’ll be graphically exploring through interactive infographics what goes behind the nation’s key issues.
This week’s issue is our final installment in this series. We want to look ahead to see what’s store for our nation and whether our candidates will be investing in research and technology. As it turns out, innovation has long been a driving force of America’s competitive lead in technology, science, and development. Innovation brings about world-changing ideas, which in turn brings jobs. But is America falling behind in innovation? How do we compare to other nations in the strength of our scientists, engineers, and research investment? Are our children armed with the strong math and science skills to lead a new generation of discovery? Find the answers and more here.
This infographic is a collaboration between GOOD and Other Means, with support from MTV
Each year Americans throw away about 25 billion paper cups. Not recycled—tossed into a landfill. We’re talking nearly 363 million pounds of waste. In fact, disposable containers (so, paper and styrofoam cups and also plastic bottles) make up 18 percent of our total garbage.
That’s a huge chunk of waste that’s really easy to eliminate—by simply committing to (and remembering to!) use a reusable mug for your morning coffee or tea.
The good news is it’s getting more fun to ditch the paper cup, with many startups and companies innovating to create unique, eco-friendly and savvy travel cups. Here are some of the most innovative travel mugs out there.