From the GeeKyoto conference a few weeks back.

Mark Simpkins and Ben Hammersley ran a one day conference in central London, with designers, technologists, artists, architects, policy-makers, explorers, economists and scientists, and lots of clever clever people, to discuss the future and how we’ll live in it.

I was attracted to this conference partly as I am fascinated about how other people percive the future, but also likeminded people attend conferences because we ‘are’ thinkers, innovators and shapers.

Seen as a progression or journey by developing ideas together, online, offline to make communication easier, quicker and without boundaries or frontiers. And perhaps encouraging others to think about their role in society now and in the future.

Play in todays world:

• 71% of adults used to play outside when they were young only 21% do now.
• Why? The public realm, and fear of, and for children
• Kids seeing play where adults don’t see it, and the result is often vandalism as it doesn’t work out.
• Experimented with swings at bus stops to see if adults utilise this.

Beyondcurrenthorizons.org.uk – what will the future of education look like in 2025?

Paleofuture – A blog that goes ‘Looking into the future that never was’.

• The future happens everywhere to everyone
• Economists and technologists are the ones who know
• Often people are mistaking the present for the future

‘The future demands your participation’, says Richard sandford. Who helps transform the way people learn through innovative technology and practice.

A good introduction and demonstration of diykyoto.com – electricity consumption that you can see, with the help of Wattson.

Finally, we were shown the wide channels of different way of thinking with todays online tools that let us collaborate and share more than ever before. At sites like:

• mysociety.org
• innovationexchange

A really thought provoking day and inspiring event, something different from the web design and development events I have recently attended. A new bunch of people to meet and share ideas with. Certainly will be back next year for what looks like to be a larger event.

A message to let you know of a few opportunities that could be of relevance to you, especially if based in the UK.

1 – Catalyst Awards

Catalyst is an award programme for people who’ve used social technology (web, social networking, gaming, mobile, etc) to do something good for their community in the UK.

It’s for all kinds of people: in business, volunteers, employees, individuals and groups. And it’s for all kinds of ideas, including education, environment, skills, health and community cohesion.

If you’re running a relevant project, or have a good idea, then check it out: Catalyst Awards

2- British Library IP Centre

The British Library Business & IP Centre is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and developing a business.

The Centre offers free access to the UK’s most comprehensive collection of business and intellectual property information, including around 50 million patent specifications, unique databases on trade marks and registered designs, thousands of market research reports, company reports, trade journals, business directories and guides to legal information and government publications. British Library information experts are on hand to guide you to the resources.

There is also a programme of workshops and events run by British Library experts and partners.