The 2021 book "This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race," by Nicole Perlroth, is a NY Times Bestseller. Although it is written in non-fiction journalism, it reads like a modern-day spy thriller with illuminating, sometimes terrifying, insights and perspectives that are worthy of discussion, especially in light of the […]
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are everywhere these days, but how many people actually own one or really understand what they are? According to Geoffrey Moore's classic book, Crossing the Chasm, it is clear that we are still very much in the 'early adopter' phase with NFTs. What comes next? Can NFTs cross the chasm? What will they look […]
Technology advances play a role in accelerating essentially every part of the healthcare spectrum: from basic life sciences research to translational and clinical research, to clinical healthcare and hospital best practices, to individual digital health and population health education. The COVID pandemic has raised general societal awareness of contagion transmissibility, epidemic tracking, and vaccine development […]
The Austin Forum's July discussion event introduces a science fiction book with very real-world implications: Neal Stephenson's new climate thriller, "Termination Shock." Join Julie Tomlin, Austin Forum advisory board member and elite sci-fi geek, for a moderate and thoughtful discussion on how climate action might pit individuals against governments, or governments against each other. This […]
Space has captivated our imaginations since the dawn of humankind. Our gaze, enhanced by evolving technologies, has increased our understanding of the cosmos but also our world and our place in the Universe. Through increasingly capable telescopes and a better understanding of this data, we have greatly expanded human knowledge and appreciation of our world […]
In this month's book discussion, we are excited to have author (and entrepreneur, futurist, speaker, and past Austin Forum presenter and podcast interviewee!) Byron Reese lead a discussion of his new book: Stories, Dice, and Rock That Think: How Humans Learned to See the Future and Shape It." Byron is a fantastic author on technology […]
Join us on October 11 for this important in-person and online conversation with three leading experts who will discuss misinformation and disinformation. REGISTER NOW Digital technologies such as the Internet and World Wide Web, social media platforms, and smartphones have greatly expanded the quantity of information produced and shared by humans and its reach, with […]
The metaverse is already here — but in such early, limited forms that it may be difficult for some to understand and imagine just how powerful and revolutionary it can—and will—be. Matthew Ball’s new book, "The Metaverse: And How it Will Revolutionize Everything,” is designed to open our minds to the possibilities and prepare us […]
Electricity powers our homes, businesses, and increasingly transportation. What are the most promising technology advancements in the future of electricity? What’s in the Austin Climate Equity Plan, one of the most aggressive city-based climate action roadmaps in the world? What technologies are being deployed to address local and state-wide outages of the grid? This moderated […]
We are all familiar with social media’s capabilities for connecting and informing people, but also the negative effects that many believe are influencing our minds, culture, and democracies. These effects run far deeper than what lies on the surface and have implications that have and will continue to change society as we know it. With […]
