FutureVigil (r) » science fiction http://www.futurevigil.com modeling changes in science medicine and culture to create models of humankind's future on our planet Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:07:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 AVATAR-FACTS ABOUT PANDORA AND THE NA’VI YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/12/avatar-facts-about-pandora-and-the-navi-you-may-want-to-know/ http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/12/avatar-facts-about-pandora-and-the-navi-you-may-want-to-know/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:29:10 +0000 Jeffrey Newman http://www.futurevigil.com/?p=640 avatar-creatureThe upcoming film Avatar takes place on a large moon called Pandora, about 4.37 light-years from Earth in the Alpha Centrauri System. The inhabitants of Pandora are the Na’vi, highly intelligent humanoid beings with a Neolithic society. The Na’vi average three meters tall with feline-shaped eyes and prehensile tails. They have a well developed culture based on a spiritual connection to all creatures. They are monogamous and mate for life. An Avatar is a cloned Na’vi humanoid, created in-vitro on earth. Genetic material from the human “driver” is incorporated into the avatar embryo, allowing the development of anatomic structures needed to allow a mental link between that individual and the avatar. The cloned avatar has the structure and physiology of a Pandoran native but with human genes which gives it five digits on hands and feet instead of three. The Na’vi word for hello is Kaltxi.

]]> http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/12/avatar-facts-about-pandora-and-the-navi-you-may-want-to-know/feed/ 1 Organizations Focused On The Future of the World http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/12/organizations-in-some-way-focused-on-the-future-of-the-world/ http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/12/organizations-in-some-way-focused-on-the-future-of-the-world/#comments Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:27:02 +0000 Jeffrey Newman http://www.futurevigil.com/?p=583 future-of-freedom-440Association of Professional Futurists – A community of professional futurists committed to leadership and excellence in the futures field.
The Calousian Association – A membership organization of those wanting to help the humanity in reaching Calousia, the humanity’s state of high-capacity existence.
The Centre for Future Studies – Futures think tank focused on future trends and their impacts for applications including product development, strategy formulation, marketing communications, customer relationship management; trends analyses, scenarios and predictions, upcoming events, and discussion forum.
The Club of Rome – International think tank composed of prominent intellectuals and decision-makers analyzing global, interlinked, long-term problems challenging the future of humanity and the planet using systems analysis and futures research; site offers reports, upcoming events, a forum, and links to further resources.
Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies – A Danish independent institution with the objective of researching the future for public and private organizations, in order to strengthen their basis for decision-making. Bilingual site.
Craig Research Labs – A private sector scientific research firm, existing to accelerate the technological development of the human race.
The DaVinci Institute – Comprised of over 150 scientists, researchers, and futurists located across the United States, its goal being to track emerging technologies and speculate about future inventions.
The Digital Exploration Society – DEX – Multimedia authoring from remote, natural places allows children and adults to understand how to express themselves in the new media world of global digital communication.
Foresight for the European Research Area (FORERA) – Foresight provides a framework for a group of people concerned with an issue at stake, such as future of EU manufacturing, research and development and innovation priorities, transport and mobility.
Foresight Institute – “The non-profit Foresight Institute focuses its efforts on nanotechnology, the coming ability to build materials and products with atomic precision, and systems that will enhance knowledge exchange and critical discussion, thus improving public and private policy decisions.”
Foundation for the Future – Non-profit organization offers seminars and publications related to envisioning future human evolution. Includes nomination information of the Kistler Prize for excellence in human genetics research.
Frontier Organizations on the Web – - A list of organizations engaged in frontier and visionary work such as future studies, philosophy, personal and social liberation, and advanced technology
Future 25 – The international branch of the German registered society `Zukunft 25 e.V.’ which is dedicated to promoting thinking and acting in long time spans.
Global Business Network – A membership organization specializing in scenario thinking and collaborative learning about the future. Their worldwide network includes strategists from more than 50 leading companies, as well as experts from the arts, sciences, business, and academia.
Imagitrends – Non-profit organization focused on sustainable development offers free e-journal and provides environmental scanning services related to trend-spotting.
Institute for Alternative Futures – Nonprofit research and educational organization specializing in aiding organizations and individuals to more wisely choose and create their preferred futures.
Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies – A nonprofit organization in the United States seeking to contribute to the understanding of the impact of emerging technologies on individuals and societies.
Institute for Future Studies (IFS) – Conducts research and public discussion of questions concerning future use of information and communication technologies, especially in the professional and educational worlds. Staff profiles, services and current project information, and publication library provided.
Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) – One of the eight Research Institutes of the European Commission (EC), the IPTS organizes regional foresight studies on science and technology to inform political and economic decision-makers.
The Interstellar Panspermia Society – Dedicated to promoting the future of life in space by directed panspermia missions.
The Long Now Foundation – A project of computer pioneer Daniel Hillis and Whole Earth founder Stewart Brand to develop a 10,000 year clock. This is long-term project that gets people thinking past the mental barrier of the Millennium.
The Millennium Project – Think tank of futurists, scholars, business planners, and policy makers.
The Mother’s Service Society, Pondicherry, India – Social science research institute which has done extensive research in such areas as social development theory, economics, management, peace and governance, the future of money, the future role of the Internet, the future of science, the future World Army, and the Global Century.
New Civilization Network – A network of people, projects and ideas for building a world that works.
New Environment Association – Background and current activities directed toward achieving a sustainable world that is supportive of all human beings.
NewDay.nl – Dutch community from people who have doubts about the future.
Northern Land Use Institute – Planning, environment and Land Use Issues of Northern British Columbia are all the focus of the Northern Land Use Institute at the University of Northern British Columbia
Shaping Tomorrow – Helps people and organizations better anticipate and respond to upcoming change through research and programs that review critical uncertainties, challenges and trends.
World Future Society – For people interested in how social and technological developments are shaping the future. Futurist forecasts, interviews, publications, upcoming events, and organization information.
World Futures Studies Federation – A professional society of futures researchers, academics, consultants, and their affiliated organizations. Includes activities, events, newsletter (and archives), membership directory, and members-only sections (fee required to join).
World Resources Institute – Non-profit organization supporting research, conferences, education, training, and policy initiatives for environmental stewardship and sustainable development; resources available online include essays, research reports, and powerpoint presentations.
World Space League – Primary Objective: To establish a World Wide Network of people who believe that Space Business / Travel /Education should be available to all people regardless of age, race, religion and income.
World-Information.org – Organization explores implications of new information and communication technologies. Includes press releases, information on events and exhibits, and links to related resources.

UltraFuture World – A global thinktank and brain trust that creates and facilitates events, media and projects on the leading-edges of technology and culture. (November 11, 2007)

]]> http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/12/organizations-in-some-way-focused-on-the-future-of-the-world/feed/ 0 AVATAR TO TEST USE OF 3D IN MAJOR FILMS–OPENS DEC 16 http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/11/avatar-to-test-viability-of-3d-in-films-opens-dec-16/ http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/11/avatar-to-test-viability-of-3d-in-films-opens-dec-16/#comments Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:43:43 +0000 Jeffrey Newman http://www.futurevigil.com/?p=502 avatar_eye_lgAvatar, the ambitious sci-fi fantasy film by Titanic director James Cameron will test the acceptability of 3-D in a major film come opening day December 16. The film deals with an epic conflict on a far away planet called Pandora where humans and the native species the Na’vi, engage in war over the planet’s resources and existence. The main character, Jake Sully is a former U.S. marine who was wounded and paralyzed from the waist down in combat on Earth. He is selected to participate in the Avatar program, which will enable him to walk, through a surrogate. Since humans are unable to breathe the air on Pandora, they have created genetically-bred human Na’vi hybrids known as Avatars and on Pandora, neurologically connected to his Avatar body, Jake is sent into the jungles as a scout for soliders that will follow. He meets and falls in love with a Na’vi female and finds himself caught between the military and the Na’vi forcing him to take sides.

]]> http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/11/avatar-to-test-viability-of-3d-in-films-opens-dec-16/feed/ 0 HOMELAND SECURITY ENLISTS SCI FI WRITERS FOR HELP http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/11/homeland-security-enlists-sci-fi-writers-for-help/ http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/11/homeland-security-enlists-sci-fi-writers-for-help/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:38:04 +0000 Jeffrey Newman http://www.futurevigil.com/?p=484 scifiThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security has enlisted a group of 40 established science fiction writers to work on developing more creative and advanced ideas to protect the nation from attack. The group is called SIGMA. Homeland security first reached out to sci fi writers in 2007 and since has seen significant results from the collaboration and is increasing the work. In addition the sci fi writers are conferring with The Department of Energy, The Army, Air Force and Nato.

]]> http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/11/homeland-security-enlists-sci-fi-writers-for-help/feed/ 0 HOLLYWOOD’S FUTURE RESTS WITH SCIENCE FICTION WRITERS http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/11/hollywoods-future-rests-in-the-hands-of-science-fiction-writers/ http://www.futurevigil.com/2009/11/hollywoods-future-rests-in-the-hands-of-science-fiction-writers/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:17:44 +0000 Jeffrey Newman http://www.futurevigil.com/?p=426 scifi9 out of 10 of the top grossing films were science fiction or fantasy. This may account for the coming spate of sci fi films and the interest in new literature written about the future of mankind. The top films included: 1) Lord of the Rings; 2)Star Wars III; 3)ET; 4)Shrek; 5) Dark Knight and 6)Titanic. Viewers want to be taken to a different time and place, even if its a hopeless future (See The Road).

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