Week 7: Futurology

Week 7: Futurology

Date: 21 November.

This week, we looked at the journey of ever evolving world of technology. Futurology is the interdisciplinary study and speculation about future possibilities, trends and progress in various fields such as technology, science, sociology and economics. It involves analysing current data, extrapolating potential outcomes, and exploring hypothetical scenarios to predict how society and technology may evolve. Futurists use a combination of quantitative analysis, qualitative assessment, and speculative thinking to make informed predictions about the future. This field aims to help individuals, organizations and policy makers navigate and prepare for upcoming challenges and opportunities by envisioning potential developments that may shape our world.

A basic example of futurological thinking is Moore's Law that is it predicts that the number of transistors that can be placed on an integrated circuit (IC) doubles approximately every two years. In other words, the density of transistors on a chip, and by extension the processing power of computers, tends to double every couple of years. This basically symbolises the pace of technological progression.

We have also gone through the concept of Green Computing, which is practice of designing, manufacturing, using, and disposing of computers, servers, and associated components in a way that minimizes their environmental impact. This includes reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy sources, minimizing electronic waste.

Also, we have done the exercise of making a a short story which narrates the impacts of emerging technologies on society, questioning, interactions, ethics, and impact on personal lives.