Welcome to this 106th issue of our newsletter “Weak Signals and other Trends”.
Each week, I sift through hundreds of sources of inspiration to track where we’re_ heading. If you are a new subscriber to this newsletter, take the time to send me a note and introduce yourself, I love to understand who is reading.
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I am preparing this newsletter this week from Athens, Ontario. This is what I noticed this week, thank you for sharing with those who look into the future.
Estelle.
Strategic Intelligence
Scientists Say They Can Predict Earthquakes by Analyzing Tiny Changes in GPS Data.
Strategic blindspots
Looking at the familiar with “alien eyes” allows you to unlock new business model opportunities while avoiding risks stemming from strategic blindspots. This section also is about the risks we miss.
Techniques: The pursuit of Uphill Thinking. We often limit our creativity by fixating on adding things to a system rather than removing existing things.
Emerging risks: Non-native grass species blamed for ferocity of Hawaii wildfires. Chinese property developer files for Chapter 15 protection in the US . No Water, No Workers, No Chips.
Emerging new business models: The Airbnb for transit agencies, school districts, cities, and corporations. Grimes Helps Artists Distribute Songs Using Her AI Voice—If They Split Royalties. Solar grazing.
Our future
Mapping in 3D where the earth will become uninhabitable. Imagineering A Better Future. How macro-trends are shaping our diets. The State of the Cellular Agriculture Sector. Lost water. How a Vast Demographic Shift Will Reshape the World. We’ve come full circle, back to ships propelled by the wind. The “-ification” of Everything. These gourmand perfumes can’t be beet.
We keep you updated on those trends and more on Twitter (which I still find infinitely better than Threads).
Weak signals
Weak signals are indicators of a change, a trend or an emerging risk that might become significant for the future. They allow us to run hypothesis, expand our thinking, and challenge assumptions. How will you interpret those in your industry or field of expertise?
Topgolf is at the forefront of turning golfing into an entertainment spectacle. Pickleball is redefining retirement in the US. Friday Happy Hours Are Over in NYC. Give public and business cash services within 3 miles or be fined, UK banks told. Chinese property developer files for Chapter 15 protection in the US. Boyfriend chatbot “Him” shuts down, leaving users lonely. Les Français plongent dans le grand bain.
Hodgepodge discovery
Articles for curious minds and the polymaths
A history of corporate presentations. How Would Linguists Plan to Overcome the Language Barrier in a First Contact. Is There Math Beyond the Equal Sign? How Hip-Hop Changed the English Language Forever . “Girl” trends and the repackaging of womanhood. Paper Flight Technology Inspires Drones. Visualizing the $105 Trillion World Economy. The World Is Going Blind. Taiwan Offers a Warning, and a Cure. how pilots deal with multiple concepts of speed — and why today’s airliners are no quicker than those 60 years ago.
Numbers
86%- bee species that were in decline were responsible for 86 percent of the pollination in some areas.
147- In 2022, Americans spent $137B on their pets.
Feeling good
Railway Safety Posters. Kiezcolours lets you select any area of Berlin and creates a small colour-based postcard for you based on the land usage of the area you’ve chosen. 6,000 miles across New York.
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