Subscribe

Category: Misc

THE NEW HACKERS – Ikea is under attack

Teaser from SCENARIO 03:2013 by Jesper Knudsen

IKEA is right now under attack from hackers all over the world.
This sounds more ominous than it really is. The case isn’t one of freedom fighters from WikiLeaks or traditional hackers, but rather of a new, creative type of hackers.
If you click onto www.ikeahackers.net, you can see pictures of [...]

The world’s largest city laboratory?

Teaser from SCENARIO 03:2013 by Morten Grønborg
Can Roskilde Festival, populated as it is by half-drunken, carefree youths, inspire city planners and politicians to create the cities of the future? The answer is yes, according to chief of innovation Esben Danielsen. Sure, the festival is about rock, beer and youth culture, but its nature as a [...]

The bicycle – the future means of transportation

Appetiser by Klaus Æ. Mogensen
Once upon a time, the bicycle was considered a means of transportation for children and the poor – people who for some reason didn’t have the option of driving a car. That’s not how it is any more. Today, bicycling is a sign of sur plus, and the bicycle may be [...]

In defense of bureaucracy

By Jesper Knudsen
Bureaucracy has an undeserved bad reputation in an age when all the world’s organisational thinkers talk about change, innovation and network. So thinks the British sociologist Paul du Gay, who provides five reasons why we should rethink our view of this system of organisation.
“Saying something positive about bureaucracy today is like farting during [...]

Architecture on a global scale

By Klaus Æ. Mogensen
We are well on our w ay to transforming the Earth, making it less habit able for human beings. Hence, we need to develop methods to make the planet more future proof, and it may be a good idea to test such on other planets first. Mars is the most obvious test [...]

THE PETER PRINCIPLE

(Yes, your boss is an idiot)
By Morten Grønborg
Speaking of bureaucracy, we herewith supply a helping hand to those of you who think your boss is incompetent and that you yourself would be much better suited to manage the department or business area your boss has been put in charge of. Perhaps you’re not entirely wrong.
At [...]

Sex and the Single Robot

Appetiser by Klaus Æ. Mogensen
Sex robots have become a reality, and in places all over the world many (men) prefer electronic romance to the flesh-and-blood kind. But when will robot sex become available to the general population, and what are the ethical consequences of the mechanical sex?
The making of tools is what distinguishes the human [...]

Sausage rolls & the world’s largest economy

By Jesper Knudsen
Product piracy is much criticised, particularly by manufacturers of the original shoes, caps, DVDs, belts, soft drinks, bags – even iPads and iPhones – that are copied and sold in great quantities on grey markets across the globe. However, while famous brands like Nike and Adidas sue pirates to protect their brands, according [...]

Why medium-sized cities will prevail in the future

Appetiser by Sally Khallash
There is a lot of focus on New York, London, Shanghai and Tokyo. Consumers, politicians, companies and researchers all dwell on the power and attraction from these 1st tier megacities and the opportunities they offer. However, one of the new winners in the increasingly complex and globalised world is the medium-sized city, [...]

Welcome to the age of wood

By Klaus Æ. Mogensen
Wood is one of the most-used raw materials we have. It is used to produce paper, furniture, boats, houses, fences, fuel and much else. Wood is popular for good reasons. It is inexpensive, easy to work with, pleasant to touch and quite strong compared to its weight. If it is treated properly, [...]

Contact

Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies

Landgreven 3
DK-1301 Copenhagen K

Tel.: +45 33 11 71 76
E-mail: cifs@cifs.dk
Web: www.cifs.dk, twitter, facebook

About The Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies

Founded in 1970 by Professor Thorkil Kristensen, former Minister of Finance and Secretary-General of the OECD. We strengthen the basis for decision-making in public and private organizations by creating awareness of the future and highlighting its importance to the present.

Contributing with knowledge and inspiration, the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies supports decision-making. We identify and analyse trends that influence the future nationally and internationally. Through research, analyses, seminars, presentations, reports, and newsletters, we give advice on the future.