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5 Predictions for 2012

Posted by michael on from the feeling-lucky dept.

Structured Audio writes "Mike Langberg of the Merc put up his 5 technology predictions for 2012. Well chosen, although of course in 2012 speech recognition will still be 10 years away :-)."

3 of 502 comments (clear)

  1. Re:and the world changes/ends on Dec 21st by MoceanWorker · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    i'm not sure if i would trust a person who has a link to a bunch of psychadelic substances on his website to say something as facetious as that..

    --


    "The ones who dont do anything are always the ones who try to pull you down" -- Henry Rollins
  2. Re:Speech Recognition by rjamestaylor · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Your kids and mine, man, your kids and mine.

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    -- @rjamestaylor on Ello
  3. Oil industry predicts production in decline then.. by xtal · · Score: 2, Offtopic


    Rapid decline of oil production will start around 2012. The growth of an economy only works because we have lots of easy energy around.


    If current consumption trends continue, the world will be having a serious energy problem. The world isn't going to end - we'll just start burning coal for electricity. So much for the environment, though. This is a direct effect of the current price of gasoline - high consumption. Much more effort should be put into higher efficiency alternatives and new means to generate large quantities of mobile energy.


    I have no problem with people driving SUVs, but you should have to PAY for that luxury. I pay about $0.90/l (~$4/gallon) for premium in Canada. We are an net oil exporting nation, unlike the US. I would be much more confortable with a price about twice that - but how many americans are going to handle a $8/gallon price tag at the pump? That'd be no big deal with a 80mpg hybrid.


    What does ANY of this have to do with the topic? I'd put big bets on technologies that allow for teleconferncing, remote work, etc. Telecommunications are likely going to become very valuable as they allow for productive work without much worker mobility. Likewise, technologies related to the more efficient combustion of energy are going to take off. The current model of north american society, commuting, etc - is going to end. It is just not sustainable.


    Bonus to living here though - the US military machine will make sure the effects are felt everywhere else first. Another observation is Russia holds some of the largest untapped reserves of petroleum.


    But hey, don't panic.

    --
    ..don't panic