The larger intentions of this blog and a request for help

This website is about exploring ideas about the future of Michigan. So far I'm the only one working on the site. As far as futurists go, I'm merely a serious hobbyist. I don't have a degree in foresight studies. I do have a long history in the news industry and I lecture on foresight subjects alongside more serious professionals at science fiction conventions. That's hardly an academic setting, but it has been a good introduction for me.

I am still learning how to formally think about the future as I ask you who read this blog to take what I post seriously. So why not learn first and then come back and start a blog about the future you say? That's a fair question.

My answer comes from a basic tenent of futures studies: you can't predict the future. All you can do is forecast scenarios based on the facts at hand as they develop. So pro futurists have an edge over the hobbyist by understanding the right formalized methodologies and having skills in the right kind of math. That's no minor thing. A great deal can be pulled from proper analysis of detailed histories. But the disciplines of futures studies go beyond mining statistics. It's a much broader endeavor.

Many people who are recognized as futurists come from a diversity of fields including science fiction writers like Vernor Vinge, Karl Schroeder, Bruce Sterling and the late Arthur C. Clarke, artists such as Syd Mead and Natasha More or brainy ecclectics like Ray Kurzweil or Buckminster Fuller.

When it comes to forecasting future scenarios, the best techniques come from a balance of analysis and imagination.

So far, this blog has mostly been an effort to parse the events that will become catalysts for our state's future. My larger intent has always been to establish a flow of inputs (current events and historical analysis) and then find and reach out to a community of thinkers and stakeholders (both readers and specialists) to develop a deeper dialogue about how the decisions we are collectively making in this state (and outside of it) might shape out tomorrow.

These decisions won't just come from technological innovation or the policy we erect to meet it. It will also come from within our imaginations. The imaginary images we develop of our future are one of the main resources used in the field of Futures Studies, both as a subject of analysis and as a starting point for the active development and pursuit of preferred scenarios. Jim Dator, Professor of Political Science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa explains the value of imagining the future:

"One of the things futures studies tries to do is to help people examine and clarify their images of the future--their ideas, fears, hopes, beliefs, concerns about the future--so that they might improve the quality of their decisions which impact it."

What I want for this website is to explore the various visions that already exist for our state in the future - be they in the arts, in the minds of regular citizens or articulated by our policy-makers. I would also like to look at those visions in contrast to real events as they develop "in the field" and find out how they jibe with that public view of where we think we'll end up. And perhaps, as the patterns emerge we can all discuss how we might alter course in a direction that we might prefer.

To underscore why I think all of this is important, I'd like you to consider the following presentation given at this year's TED conference.



With that in mind, I believe that the next step is to discuss the tools of futures studies and find ways to apply them. If this gains any momentum, it will require a transformation from a blog written by me into some kind of community. If any of you reading this actually know any futurists that live in Michigan feel free to contact me at:
futuremichigan (at) yahoo (dot) com

I've already begun the process of moving this website from a blog to a more community based platform. That new platform will be at www.foresightmichigan.com. At this point there is still no legal organization to this effort. For now, it's all just a self-funded website. But maybe a non-profit model is in its future. Feel free to e-mail me with thoughts and ideas on that as well.

Obama signs stimulus bill, could create 109,000 Michigan jobs

President Barack Obama signed into law his hard-fought economic stimulus plan in Denver today. Obama used the ceremony surrounding the stimulus bill at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, to underscore investments the spending plan will make in the "green" energy-related jobs.

Specifically for Michigan the bill could lead to 109,000 new jobs. According to an Associated Press report, Council of Economic Advisers Chairwoman Christina Romer and Obama's chief economist, Jared Bernstein, estimated the number of jobs for Michigan by studying the stimulus package's effect on working age population, employment and industrial composition in each state.

Michigan's two Democratic senators and eight Democratic U.S. House members voted for the package. But none of the state's seven Republican congressional members did. They say it creates too much debt and not enough jobs.

Plans for the bills money and tracking of it's spending can be followed at www.recovery.gov

Wayne County, Tech Town To Launch Stem Cell Commercialization Center

According to various sources, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano announced Thursday that the county will partner with Tech Town and Wayne State University to create the first "stem cell commercialization lab" in Michigan. I am assuming that a commercialization lab is a facility that focuses on turning basic science into salable products - something that the field of stem cell science has yet to see in any significant way.

"Wayne State and its University Research Corridor partners, the University of Michigan and Michigan State, are the greatest medical research assets we have in Michigan, and now we have a chance to share that brainpower with the rest of the world," Ficano told WWJ radio. "TechTown's Stem Cell Commercialization Center will be a place where researchers collaboratively accelerate the development of life-saving drugs, and create high-tech companies that bring those treatments to the global marketplace."

The lab already has a two-year, $2.9 million financial commitment from Wayne County for laboratory construction, equipment and management, and $1.5 million from Wayne State has challenged TechTown to raise matching funds as well.

For those of you who aren't aware of it's existence, Tech Town is a mini Nerd City within Detroit. The research and technology park, was established in 2000 by Wayne County with Wayne State University, General Motors and the Henry Ford Health System. The idea was to stimulate job growth and small-business creation by developing companies in emerging high-technology industries including advanced engineering, life sciences and alternative energy. Thirty-nine businesses currently operate within the twelve-block district. At least four of them specialize in in the biotech sector (one is a law firm).

For more information on Tech Town visit www.techtownwsu.org

Green energy industry sees growth

Rochester Hills-based Energy Conversion Devices Inc. has announced that revenue in its second fiscal quarter nearly doubled since the same quarter last year. To be precise, revenue rose to $103.1 million from $56.4 million the same quarter a year earlier. First quarter revenue was $95.8 million.

ECD manufactures and sells thin, flexible solar cells laminated on rolls of steel that can be mounted on the rooftops of commercial or (I assume) residential buildings.

Their Ovonic Materials Division makes a number of really cool products from hydrogen fuel cells to bioreformation devices (corn, switchgrass, etc. to hydrogen).

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Novi-based ITC Holdings Corp. announced on Monday plans to build "The Green Power Express", a modernized grid of electric transmission lines to carry power from wind rich regions of the Midwest to population centers. According to the project's website, this does not yet include delivering power to Michigan. However, the website also stated that an application to participate in the Midwest ISO MTEP process. For those not familiar (I wasn't), it's a regional plan for upgrading power infrastructure in the Midwest that has been ongoing for a while now. Several (if not all) Michigan based utility and transmission companies are currently a part of this project.

More idle speculation on superhero films in Michigan

This is not a news item. It's just me connecting imaginary dots because I'm a nerd. A few days ago I posted a quote about Sam Raimi trying to do secondary shooting for Spider-Man 4 in Michigan. Today I came across a Metromode story about the new film studio going up in an old auto plant in Pontiac. The studio will be run by Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. These guys have been around so long, their first production was with Mary Pickford.
What hasn't been noticed by the Michigan press outlets is that Raleigh has signed a long term contract with Marvel Studios to work on their next four superhero titles. Specifically "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "The First Avenger: Captain America" and "The Avengers."
I consider myself an amateur futurist in training, so it's pretty hard for me not to speculate on a scenario where Raimi sees all this action from Raleigh happening and gives them a call about breaking in some of the Pontiac people with his Spidey project. Maybe he gets the idea from this post. Maybe a few people that I know are reading this e-mail it to him or his brother Ted...
Just speculating. A junior foresight scientist has to practice his craft from time to time.

Stardock to open second games studio in Michigan

Stardock Corporation announced today that it is expanding its current games division and will open a second games studio in Michigan.
The new studio will create up to 50 much-needed jobs in the state of Michigan and will be responsible for an as-of-yet unannounced RPG title developed and published by independent developer Stardock Entertainment.

When evaluating where to open the second studio, Stardock considered several other states in which to open it due to the relatively high costs of recruiting game developers and artists to Michigan as well as some of the technology infrastructure challenges Michigan faces.

However, Wayne County in conjunction with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as well as Plymouth Township coordinated to provide tax incentives and access to better communication infrastructure in order to make Michigan a more competitive choice to open the new studio.

Stardock President and CEO Brad Wardell said, "We're very pleased with the support we've received from Wayne County and the state of Michigan. We think Michigan is well placed to become a hub for technology companies thanks to new programs from the state to make Michigan more competitive to do business in. We look forward to continuing our strong growth with additional development projects over the next couple of years."

Singularity University could be a model for Michigan Higher Ed. programs

Somewhere between NASA's Ames center and the Google campus in California is the new Singularity University. Headed by inventor and futurist Ray Kurzwiel, the new interdiscliplinary university offers short graduate programs and executive seminars. I'm assuming that as they grow full degree programs will be offered, but it's the interdicipliary nature of the programs that fascinates me. Graduates from one kind of field are plugged into a different kind of field (like robotics with medicine) and a curriculum is built from there. The promo video explains it more visually.



Here in Michigan we have some pretty top flight universities and colleges. I wonder how many of them have similar programs geared towards the matching of cutting edge fields to generate innovation.

Woody Norris at TED: Inventing the next amazing thing

Sam Raimi to shoot Spider-Man 4 in Michigan?

Via The Oakland Press

According to a Oakland Press report, Spider-Man director Sam Raimi, a Michigan native, may be bringing a proposed fourth installment of the franchise back to his home state.

"I'll be looking at Michigan for our second-unit photography on the new Spider-Man film," Raimi told the newspaper.
Raimi's producing partner Rob Tapert, also a native of Michigan, elaborated: "We look at the bottom line on every single project in determining where we ultimately end up shooting. Given that most of the projects we make we can shoot almost anywhere, we can look at whether it's in Romania, New Zealand, Australia, New Mexico or Canada. Film incentives are an incredibly important part of the equation."

Raimi will also reportedly shoot a small-budget supernatural thriller film, Room 205, in Michigan, the newspaper reported. Based on Danish director Martin Barnewitz's 2007 film, "Room 205 is about a haunted dorm room," Raimi told the paper. "It's a neat screenplay that will become a lovely, bright Midwestern university and tell about how kids become adjusted to their new surroundings. In the midst of that, the supernatural will rear its terrifying head." Screenwriter Stephen Susco (The Grudge) will help Raimi adapt the original.

“I love Michigan,” said Raimi, who is married to Gillian Greene, daughter of the late “Bonanza” star Lorne Greene. “I would be in Michigan except that my business literally is out here (in Los Angeles). I’m forced to live here because this is where the industry is.”

Raimi is slated to begin production on Spider-Man 4 in 2010.

Granholm announces Great Lakes Wind Council

Via michigan.gov
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed Executive Order 2009-1, creating the Great Lakes Wind Council, an advisory body within the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth that will provide citizens with a public forum to begin to identify where, in the Great Lakes, wind energy systems may be prudently sited.

"The Great Lakes are Michigan's most precious natural resource, and they provide tremendous economic value to the citizens of Michigan," Granholm said. "The availability, consistency, and velocity of wind in the Great Lakes make their waters uniquely attractive to wind energy developers seeking to build offshore wind energy systems - but we want to make sure we are prudent in this process of approval."

In addition to looking at ways to best engage the people of Michigan in a public dialogue about offshore wind so that statewide interests are considered, the council will identify criteria that can be used to review applications for offshore wind development. The council will also identify criteria for mapping areas that should be excluded from offshore wind development and those areas that are most favorable for such development, providing a full report to the governor by September 1, 2009.

The governor announced the following appointments to the Great Lakes Wind Council:

Adesoji O. Adelaja, Ph.D. of Okemos, director and founder of the Michigan State University Land Policy Institute and John A. Hannah distinguished professor in land policy, is appointed to represent other residents of this state for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

James P. Clift of Lansing, policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council, is appointed to represent statewide environmental organizations for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Frank D. Ettawageshik of Harbor Springs, chair of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, is appointed to represent Native American tribal governments for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Dennis L. Grinold of Lansing, member of the Michigan Charter Boat Association, is appointed to represent the charter fishing industry for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Curtis A. Hertel, Sr. of Grosse Pointe Woods, executive director of the Detroit-Wayne County Port Authority, is appointed to represent the commercial shipping industry for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Thomas L. Hickner of Bay City, Bay County executive, is appointed to represent local government officials for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

M. Jack Knowles, III of Ann Arbor, vice president of Dietrich, Bailey and Associates, P.C., is appointed to represent other residents of this state for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Steven E. Kurmas of Shelby Township, president and chief operating officer of Detroit Edison, one of three major business units of DTE, is appointed to represent electric utilities for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Marty G. Lagina of Traverse City, chief executive officer of Heritage Sustainable Energy, LLC, is appointed to represent the wind energy development industry for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

James D. MacInnes of Beulah, chief executive officer and co-owner of Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa, is appointed to represent the tourism industry for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

John G. Russell of East Lansing, president and chief operating officer of Consumers Energy, is appointed to represent electric utilities for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Richard F. Vander Veen, III of Lowell, president of Mackinaw Power, is appointed to represent other residents of this state for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Joseph L. Welch of Monroe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of ITC Holdings Corp., is appointed to represent independent electric transmission companies for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Web site seeks reader votes to set priorities on potential Michigan stimulus projects

Via MLive.com and the Grand Rapids Press


GRAND RAPIDS -- City residents who want to help President Barack Obama set priorities for his recovery plan can register their opinions about local projects online.

Stimuluswatch.org has posted a list of "shovel-ready" projects from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The site allows visitors to vote for or against projects on the list.

The Grand Rapids list includes $254.5 million worth of possible projects, ranging from $22.5 million to roto-mill city streets to a $45,000 replacement of the Garfield Sewer.

Though Obama's stimulus package will meet needs in other cities, the list compiled by Stimuluswatch.org only lists the projects collected by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Projects throughout Michigan can be viewed here.

Detroit Science Center launches Star Trek Exhibit

Via detroitsciencecenter.org

Set you Phasers for romance! This Valentine's Day the Detroit Science Center will launch a limited engagement of "STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION."

Highlights of STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION include:
• A detailed recreation of the bridge from the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 as featured in the original Star Trek television series. Visitors can stand on the bridge and have their photo taken superimposed with images of the original cast – including Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy and Mr. Scott – to look as if the Enterprise crew is standing right next to them.

• Re-creations of original sets from Star Trek: The Next Generation, including Captain Picard’s quarters and command chair.

• A chance to ride through a Star Trek adventure in two full-motion flight simulators.

• A full-scale recreation of the Transporter Room from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The Exhibit will run until September 17th, 2009.

For more info CLICK HERE.

Granholm Outlines Stimulus Package expectations for Michigan

From MLive.com and The Grand Rapids Press

Center for Michigan: "What are YOUR reform ideas?"

From The Center for Michigan. Click for original article.

From an article by John Bebow
Recently, the Center published a list of more than $1.5 billion in possible ways to reform state government and the public purse. The emails -- both complimentary and irate -- began flowing moments later.

Now, it's your turn.

The Center published their initial list as a conversation starter in what is likely to be a painful year of negotiation in Lansing. Add your voice to the discussion! Send them your approaches on how to change the way Michigan does the public's business and they'll publish your ideas in an upcoming Fresh Thoughts newsletter. To participate, simply post your ideas here or email the Center at info@thecenterformichigan.net.

Engineering Society of Detroit Launches New Institute to help Mich. Businesses

The Engineering Society of Detroit has launched the ESD Institute, a forum for communication and initiative-creation to promote innovation and in the State.

“The mission of the ESD Institute is to examine and assess the root causes and barriers to the implementation of innovation with unity, focus and choice,” said Christopher J. Webb, ESD Institute co-director. “There is no other institute in the region taking this on.”

The Institute is currently pursuing three technical initiatives related to the fields of water, transportation, and energy and two business initiatives related to the Michigan Green Enterprise Zone and Best Practices for Innovation Attributes.

For more on the ESD Institute click here.