The Future Is Here NOW!
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In 1998, Kodak had 170,000 employees and sold 85% of all photo paper worldwide.  Within just a few years, their business model disappeared and they went bankrupt.
What happened to Kodak will happen in a lot of industries in the next 10 year – and most people don’t see it coming. Did you think in 1998 that 3 years later you would never take pictures on paper film again?
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Yet digital cameras were invented in 1975. The first ones only had 10,000 pixels but followed Moore’s law. So as with all exponential technologies, it was a disappointment for a long time, before it became way superior and got mainstream in only a few short years. It will now happen with Artificial Intelligence, health, autonomous and electric cars, education, 3D printing, agriculture, and jobs. Welcome to the 4th Industrial Revolution. Welcome to the Exponential Age.
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Software will disrupt most traditional industries in the next 5-10 years.
Uber is just a software tool, they don’t own any cars, and are now the biggest taxi company in the world. Airbnb is now the biggest hotel company in the world, although they don’t own any properties.
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Artificial Intelligence:Â Computers become exponentially better in understanding the world. This year, a computer beat the best Go player in the world, 10 years earlier than expected. In the US, young lawyers already don’t get jobs. Because of IBM Watson, you can get legal advice (so far for more or less basic stuff) within seconds, with 90% accuracy compared with 70% accuracy when done by humans. So if you study law, stop immediately. There will be 90% fewer lawyers in the future, only specialists will remain. Watson already helps nurses diagnosing cancer, 4 times more accurate than human nurses. Facebook now has a pattern recognition software that can recognize faces better than humans. In 2030, computers will become more intelligent than humans.
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Autonomous cars:Â In 2018 the first self-driving cars will appear for the public. Around 2020, the complete industry will start to be disrupted. You don’t want to own a car anymore. You will call a car with your phone, it will show up at your location and drive you to your destination. You will not need to park it, you only pay for the driven distance and can be productive while driving. Our kids will never get a driver’s license and will never own a car. It will change the cities because we will need 90-95% fewer cars for that. We can transform former parking space into parks. 1.2 million people die each year in car accidents worldwide. We now have one accident every 100,000 km, with autonomous driving that will drop to one accident in 10 million km. That will save a million lives each year.
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Most car companies might become bankrupt. Traditional car companies try the evolutionary approach and just build a better car while tech companies (Tesla, Apple, Google) will do the revolutionary approach and build a computer on wheels. I spoke to a lot of engineers from Volkswagen and Audi; they are completely terrified of Tesla.
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Insurance companies will have massive trouble because, without accidents, the insurance will become 100x cheaper. Their car insurance business model will disappear.Â
Real estate will change. Because if you can work while you commute, people will move further away to live in a more beautiful neighborhood.
Electric cars will become mainstream until 2020. Cities will be less noisy because all cars will run on electric. Electricity will become incredibly cheap and clean: Solar production has been on an exponential curve for 30 years, but you can only now see the impact. Last year, more solar energy was installed worldwide than fossil. The price for solar will drop so much that all coal companies will be out of business by 2025.
With cheap electricity comes cheap and abundant water. Desalination now only needs 2kWh per cubic meter. We don’t have scarce water in most places, we only have scarce drinking water. Imagine what will be possible if anyone can have as much clean water as he wants, for nearly no cost.
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Health:Â The Tricorder X price will be announced this year. There will be companies who will build a medical device (called the “Tricorder” from Star Trek) that works with your phone, which takes your retina scan, your blood sample and you breathe into it. It then analyses 54 biomarkers that will identify nearly any disease. It will be cheap, so in a few years, everyone on this planet will have access to world-class medicine, nearly for free.
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3D printing:Â The price of the cheapest 3D printer came down from $18,000 to $400Â within 10 years. In the same time, it became 100 times faster. All major shoe companies started 3D printing shoes. Spare airplane parts are already 3D printed in remote airports. The space station now has a printer that eliminates the need for the large amount of spare parts they used to have in the past.
At the end of this year, new smart phones will have 3D scanning possibilities. You can then 3D scan your feet and print your perfect shoe at home. In China, they already 3D printed a complete 6-storey office building. By 2027, 10% of everything that’s being produced will be 3D printed.
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Business opportunities:Â If you think of a niche you want to go in, ask yourself: “in the future, do you think we will have that?” and if the answer is yes, how can you make that happen sooner? If it doesn’t work with your phone, forget the idea. And any idea designed for success in the 20th century is doomed to failure in the 21st century.
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Work:Â 70-80% of jobs will disappear in the next 20 years. There will be a lot of new jobs, but it is not clear if there will be enough new jobs in such a small time.
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Agriculture:Â There will be a $100 agricultural robot in the future. Farmers in 3rd world countries can then become managers of their field instead of working all days in their fields. Aeroponics will need much less water. The first Petri dish produced veal is now available and will be cheaper than cow produced veal in 2018. Right now, 30% of all agricultural surfaces is used for cows. Imagine if we don’t need that space anymore. There are several startups who will bring insect protein to the market shortly. It contains more protein than meat. It will be labeled as “alternative protein source” (because most people still reject the idea of eating insects).
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There is an app called “moodies” which can already tell in which mood you are. By 2020, there will be apps that can tell by your facial expressions if you are lying. Imagine a political debate where it’s being displayed when they are telling the truth and when not.
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Bitcoin will become mainstream this year and might even become the default reserve currency.
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Longevity:Â Right now, the average lifespan increases by 3 months per year. Four years ago, the life span used to be 79 years, now it’s 80 years. The increase itself is increasing and by 2036, there will be more that one year increase per year. So we all might live for a long long time, probably way more than 100.
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Education:Â The cheapest smartphones are already at $10 in Africa and Asia. Until 2020, 70% of all humans will own a smartphone. That means everyone has the same access to world class education. Every child can use Khan academy for everything a child learns at school in First World countries. We have already released our software in Indonesia and will release it in Arabic, Swahili and Chinese this Summer because I see an enormous potential. We will give the English app for free so that children in Africa can become fluent in English within half a year.
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Boom!
Colombian singer Shakira, who has been the face of Africa throughout the World Cup, Â will be cheering for Spain.
Shakira will be performing at the closing ceremony at Soccer City.
“I have been enjoying the football World Cup like any other fanatic. And since I am a Hispanic, I will be rooting for Spain. They have been a great team and the kind of football they played this time has been pleasing to eyes,” Shakira said.
“I hope the octopus doesn’t get it wrong for tomorrow,” she laughed.
Shakira, who sang the World Cup anthem “Waka Waka” at the opening ceremony, admitted the World Cup has turned her into a football fanatic.
“I never imagined I would go straight to the sports section in the newspaper. I love the goals I saw from (David) Villa. And I love the way (Spain’s Gerard) Pique plays. He’s a beautiful defender,” she said.
“The FIFA concert was one of the most emotional experiences of my career. These have been one of the happiest months in my life. I never saw so many people smiling and celebrating in unison,” she said.
For MY HIGHLIGHTS of the FIFA 2010 World CUP:Â CLICK HERE
Continue reading about Shakira is Waka Waka for Spain in the 2010 World Cup Final vs Holland
In what some say was a terrible game, England defeated Slovenia  1 – 0 to advance to the next round. I can imagine that many English Fans don’t care if it was a terrible game. All that matters is that England is not eliminated.
US Victory: Donovan was left open on the right and he cuts to the left fooling the keeper, to score the game’s only goal. Algeria eliminated!
The US win might generate some more excitement in the Unites States. I hope!!!
The US moves on in style.
Continue reading about England Wins England Advances US advances World Cup Soccer Football 2010
Just in case you weren’t feeling too old today, this Will certainly change things. Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to Try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of this year’s incoming freshmen. Here’s this year’s list:
The people who are starting college this fall across The nation were born in 1993
They are too young to remember the 1st space
Shuttle blowing up.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.
The CD was introduced the year they were born.
They have always had an answering! Machine
They have always had cable.
They cannot fathom not having a remote control.
Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show.
Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
They can’t imagine what hard contact lenses are.
They don’t know who Mork was or where he was from.
They never heard: ‘Where’s the Beef?’ , ‘I’d walk
A mile for a Camel’, or ‘de plane, Boss, de plane.’
They do not care who shot J. R. And have no idea who J. R. Even is.
McDonald’s never came in Styrofoam containers.
They don’t have a clue how to use a typewriter.
Do you feel old yet? Pass this on to the other old fogies on your list. Notice the larger type, that’s For those of you who have trouble reading…Â 
So have a nice day!!!!! It is good to have friends who know about these things and are still alive and kicking!!!!
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An ode to mothers! They have toiled, they have sacrificed, they have given more than we can ever imagine possible. Here is a special collection of Mother’s Day Quotes for our boldest and gentlest mothers. If you can’t say it with words, say it with these quotes.
- John Erskine
Woman in the home has not yet lost her dignity, in spite of Mother’s Day, with its offensive implication that our love needs an annual nudging, like our enthusiasm for the battle of Bunker Hill.
- Oscar Wilde
All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.
- Rajneesh
The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.
- Peter de Vries
A suburban mother’s role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after.
- Author Unknown
All mothers are working mothers.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
The real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men – from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms.
- Helen Hunt Jackson
Motherhood is priced; Of God, at price no man may dare/To lessen or misunderstand.
- Barbara Kingsolver
It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn’t.
- Jewish Proverb
God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.
- Abraham Lincoln
I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
- Mildred B Vermont
Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs… since the payment is pure love.
- Henry Bickersteth
If the whole world were put into one scale, and my mother in the other, the whole world would kick the beam.
- T. DeWitt Talmage
Mother – that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries.
- Chinese Proverb
There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
Woman in the home has not yet lost her dignity, in spite of Mother’s Day, with its offensive implication that our love needs an annual nudging, like our enthusiasm for the battle of Bunker Hill.
All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.
The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.
A suburban mother’s role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after.
All mothers are working mothers.
The real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men – from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms.
Motherhood is priced; Of God, at price no man may dare/To lessen or misunderstand.
It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn’t.
God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.
I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs… since the payment is pure love.
If the whole world were put into one scale, and my mother in the other, the whole world would kick the beam.
Mother – that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries.
There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
A toaster – never
Or any Household Appliances
Exercise Equipment – sends the wrong message!
Breakfast in Bed – Bad, messy idea!
Lottery Tickets – $2 ticket not too thoughtfull. Chance of winning-nill!
Email card – can’t replace the good old real card.
Bath sets – don’t you just hate how they pile up under the sink!?
Yard Tools – no way!
New BBQ – it’s the only break a woman gets when the guy cooks. Who is the gift rreally for?
Pets – can you believe it?
A list of things you will do for her. – never happens!
A Mug – how many does she need?
Toilet Bowl Brush – can you imagine?
New dust mop or vacuum cleaner – just as bad
Nothing, Â because,”You”re not my Mother .” and that’s when the fight started…
ANY ideas, please email them to me. Thanks
Continue reading about Maxine’s Worst Gifts for your Mother or Wife for Mother’s Day
MULTIPLE CHOICE
A volcano in Iceland has shut down a lot of Europe’s airspace. A (1) ____ ash cloud from the volcano means it is too dangerous for airplanes to fly. The ash (2) ____ into the airplane’s engines and can cause great damage. The volcano erupted on Wednesday and has caused travel (3) ____ all over the world. Thousands of flights could not take (4) ____ in Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium and Scandinavia. People across the world with flights to these countries cannot travel (5) ____ the cloud disappears. Scientists do not know when the ash will clear.
A weather (6) ____ from Iceland’s meteorological office said the situation would continue for days, or even weeks. He pointed (7) ____ that the same volcano erupted in 1821 and continued for two years. It is difficult to imagine what would (8) ____ if no planes could fly to most of Europe until 2012. Ferry and train companies would be very busy, and happy. Other people who are happy at the (9) ____ are sunset watchers. The ash in the sky is creating beautiful and spectacular sunsets. The (10) ____ world is watching this ash cloud.
http://www.newsenglishlessons.com/1004/100416-volcanoes.html
Continue reading about They even have English Lessons about the Icelandic Volcano
When the good Lord was creating mothers, SHE/He was into HER/His sixth day of “overtime” when the angel appeared and said: “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.” And the Lord said: “Have you read the specs on this order?…”
“She has to be completely washable but not plastic; Have 180 moving parts… all replaceable; Run on black coffee and leftovers; Have a lap that disappears when she stands up; A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands.”
The angel shook her head slowly and said: “Six pairs of hands – no way.” “It’s not the hands that are causing me problems, said the Lord, it’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.” That’s the standard model? Asked the angel.
The Lord nodded, “One pair that sees through closed doors so that when she asks, ‘What are you kids doing in there?’ she already knows. Another in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know. Then, of course, the ones here in front that can look at a child when he messes up and says, ‘I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.”
“Lord,” said the angel, touching His sleeve gently, “come to bed.”
“I can’t said the Lord, I’m so close to creating something so close to Myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick, can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger, and can get a 9-year old to stand under a shower.”
The angel circled the model of a mother very closely. “It’s too soft,” she said. “But tough,” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure.”
“Can it think?” asked the angel. “Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise,” said the Creator.
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. “There’s a leak,” she said. “I told you you were trying to put too much into this model.”
“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”
“What’s it for?” asked the angel. The Lord replied, “It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.”
“You’re a genius,” said the Angel. The Lord looked somber, “I didn’t put it there…”
by Erma Bombeck
For more Stories, Poems and Jokes for Mother’s Day, please click on the following link:
http://mothersdayfunontheweb.blogspot.com/
Continue reading about For Mother’s Day, May 9, 2010 -When the Good Lord created Mother’s…