Blogs of Note

Elder Boom [PDF] Some estimates predict that by 2050, the world population will reach its peak of around 9 billion -- then the decline will start, and as it progresses, the world's population will be increasingly dominated by elderly citizens -- with not enough young to care for them. The future's elderly are today's technology adopters and information hungry. They will most likely seek technology to allow them to continue living useful, productive and indendent lives. How will technology respond? For one thing, there will be more biotechnologies employed -- such as wireless, invasive body sensors. There will be a need for better ways to index, search and deliver content. As the workforce grows smaller, production will look for more ways to exploit technology -- the trend of the 90s isn't about to abate. As the elderly become less and less mobile, look for technologies to enable socializing over vast distances. Then bring in the robots -- they will be needed to supplement the dwindling workforce, as well as care for the elderly -- maybe even provide companionship.