108 research outputs found
Galactic-scale macro-engineering: Looking for signs of other intelligent species, as an exercise in hope for our own
If we consider Big History as simply 'our' example of the process of cosmic
evolution playing out, then we can seek to broaden our view of our possible
fate as a species by asking questions about what paths or trajectories other
species' own versions of Big History might take or have taken. This paper
explores the broad outlines of possible scenarios for the evolution of
long-lived intelligent engineering species---scenarios which might have been
part of another species' own Big History story, or which may yet lie ahead in
our own distant future. A sufficiently long-lived engineering-oriented species
may decide to undertake a program of macro-engineering projects that might
eventually lead to a re-engineered galaxy so altered that its artificiality may
be detectable from Earth. We consider activities that lead ultimately to a
galactic structure consisting of a central inner core surrounded by a more
distant ring of stars separated by a relatively sparser 'gap', where star
systems and stellar materials may have been removed, 'lifted' or turned into
Dyson Spheres. When one looks to the sky, one finds that such galaxies do
indeed exist---including the beautiful ringed galaxy known as 'Hoag's Object'
(PGC 54559) in the constellation Serpens. This leads us to pose the question:
Is Hoag's Object an example of galaxy-scale macro-engineering? And this
suggests a program of possible observational activities and theoretical
explorations, several of which are presented here, that could be carried out in
order to begin to investigate this beguiling question.Comment: 17 pages. Published in: Teaching and Researching Big History:
Exploring a New Scholarly Field; L. Grinin, D. Baker, E. Quaedackers and A.
Korotayev (eds). Uchitel Publ House, Volgograd, Russia, 2014, Chapter 14, pp.
283-304. ISBN: 978-5-7057-4027-
Big History in its Cosmic Context
Current models of Big History customarily take the observed increases over cosmic time of material-energetic complexity as their central concept. In this paper, we use Erich Jantschâs pioneering masterwork The Self-Organizing Universe as the primary perspective from which to extend the customary âincreasing material-energetic complexityâ view of Big History in two principal âdirectionsâ. Firstly, outwards, with an emphasis on increasing scale, scope and context to consider whether non-terrestrial analogues of Big History might exist or have existed elsewhere, and thus to embrace the âsiblingâ multidisciplinary fields of SETI (the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence), Astrobiology, and âCosmic Evolutionâ. And secondly, inwards, with a focus on (human) consciousness and the increasing complexity of human cognitive experience (âinteriorityâ) that has been apparent over the time-frame we have been able to observe it. Since Big History is a narrative which necessarily includes our own awakening to conscious awarenessâand the felt sense of âmeaningâ which our interiority brings with itâit would be valuable to examine related models which might also allow for an integration or unification of the two perspectives of physical-objective material-energetic complexity, on the one hand, and the complexity of subjective-conscious interiority, on the other. This is important, because it might provide a pathway that could help resolve recent debates around whether, and if so where, âmeaningâ might reside in Big History. Current models do not tend to have a clear way to do this, so a particular integrative framework is introduced and outlinedâdue to the philosopher of consciousness Ken Wilberâwhich seeks to unify the customary complexity of matter-energy view of Big History with a âcomplexity of consciousnessâ view, and which thereby suggests a very natural way to resolve the question of meaning âinâ Big History. It also provides a useful framework for thinking about a third direction of exploration, namely onwards, towards the future of our civilisation (and even our species), in both explicit and implicit modes, each of which are also briefly outlined. We end with a dedication to the memory of Erich Jantsch and his work
Expanding modes of reflection in design futuring
Design futuring approaches, such as speculative design, design fiction and others, seek to (re)envision futures and explore alternatives. As design futuring becomes established in HCI design research, there is an opportunity to expand and develop these approaches. To that end, by reflecting on our own research and examining related work, we contribute five modes of reflection. These modes concern formgiving, temporality, researcher positionality, real-world engagement, and knowledge production. We illustrate the value of each mode through careful analysis of selected design exemplars and provide questions to interrogate the practice of design futuring. Each reflective mode offers productive resources for design practitioners and researchers to articulate their work, generate new directions for their work, and analyze their own and othersâ work.
Status Update and Interim Results from the Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial-2 (ACST-2)
Objectives: ACST-2 is currently the largest trial ever conducted to compare carotid artery stenting (CAS) with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis requiring revascularization. Methods: Patients are entered into ACST-2 when revascularization is felt to be clearly indicated, when CEA and CAS are both possible, but where there is substantial uncertainty as to which is most appropriate. Trial surgeons and interventionalists are expected to use their usual techniques and CE-approved devices. We report baseline characteristics and blinded combined interim results for 30-day mortality and major morbidity for 986 patients in the ongoing trial up to September 2012. Results: A total of 986 patients (687 men, 299 women), mean age 68.7 years (SD ± 8.1) were randomized equally to CEA or CAS. Most (96%) had ipsilateral stenosis of 70-99% (median 80%) with contralateral stenoses of 50-99% in 30% and contralateral occlusion in 8%. Patients were on appropriate medical treatment. For 691 patients undergoing intervention with at least 1-month follow-up and Rankin scoring at 6 months for any stroke, the overall serious cardiovascular event rate of periprocedural (within 30 days) disabling stroke, fatal myocardial infarction, and death at 30 days was 1.0%. Conclusions: Early ACST-2 results suggest contemporary carotid intervention for asymptomatic stenosis has a low risk of serious morbidity and mortality, on par with other recent trials. The trial continues to recruit, to monitor periprocedural events and all types of stroke, aiming to randomize up to 5,000 patients to determine any differential outcomes between interventions. Clinical trial: ISRCTN21144362. © 2013 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Second asymptomatic carotid surgery trial (ACST-2): a randomised comparison of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy
Background: Among asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent stroke or transient cerebral ischaemia, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can restore patency and reduce long-term stroke risks. However, from recent national registry data, each option causes about 1% procedural risk of disabling stroke or death. Comparison of their long-term protective effects requires large-scale randomised evidence. Methods: ACST-2 is an international multicentre randomised trial of CAS versus CEA among asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis thought to require intervention, interpreted with all other relevant trials. Patients were eligible if they had severe unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis and both doctor and patient agreed that a carotid procedure should be undertaken, but they were substantially uncertain which one to choose. Patients were randomly allocated to CAS or CEA and followed up at 1 month and then annually, for a mean 5 years. Procedural events were those within 30 days of the intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses are provided. Analyses including procedural hazards use tabular methods. Analyses and meta-analyses of non-procedural strokes use Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN21144362. Findings: Between Jan 15, 2008, and Dec 31, 2020, 3625 patients in 130 centres were randomly allocated, 1811 to CAS and 1814 to CEA, with good compliance, good medical therapy and a mean 5 years of follow-up. Overall, 1% had disabling stroke or death procedurally (15 allocated to CAS and 18 to CEA) and 2% had non-disabling procedural stroke (48 allocated to CAS and 29 to CEA). Kaplan-Meier estimates of 5-year non-procedural stroke were 2·5% in each group for fatal or disabling stroke, and 5·3% with CAS versus 4·5% with CEA for any stroke (rate ratio [RR] 1·16, 95% CI 0·86â1·57; p=0·33). Combining RRs for any non-procedural stroke in all CAS versus CEA trials, the RR was similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (overall RR 1·11, 95% CI 0·91â1·32; p=0·21). Interpretation: Serious complications are similarly uncommon after competent CAS and CEA, and the long-term effects of these two carotid artery procedures on fatal or disabling stroke are comparable. Funding: UK Medical Research Council and Health Technology Assessment Programme
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Morphological prospection: profiling the shapes of things to come
The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, to describe in detail a particular sub-class of powerful prospective methods based on the method of âmorphological analysisâ. And second, to extend their use to create a basis for strengthening strategic analysis and policy development.The paper examines the history and use of morphological methods in foresight work, and briefly describes three main âlineagesâ currently in use, and proposes some extensions to models of practice. Recent research in cognitive psychology suggests that requiring a detailed and systematic examination of future possibilities before a decision is made leads to more effective assessments of futures. Morphological methods, by design and construction, are perfectly suited to this, and so can form an exceptionally strong basis for thinking systematically about the future. The paper also describes how to go about designing a foresighting capacity based on a systematic evaluation of future systemic contexts, as well as discussing what aspects of the external environment to include in robust competitive intelligence, strategic monitoring, environmental scanning, and "horizon scanning" activities. The paper proposes some extensions to existing practice and describes some ways to tie the development of a strategic meta-language to clearly-targeted intelligence scanning. This paper should be of interest to anyone involved in trying to strengthen strategy development, policy planning or intelligence analysis
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