[ExI] ExtroBritannia. The future of energy. Leadership and technological innovation.

[estropico]

The future of energy. Leadership and technological innovation.

2pm-4pm, Saturday 15th August.

With James Woudhuysen, Professor of Forecasting & Innovation, De
Montfort University, Leicester, UK.

Description:

When Western elites say, as a response to concerns about climate
change, that individual consumers must change their lifestyles and use
less energy, they are really abdicating their own responsibility to
develop a new, cheap, clean and reliable energy supply. They are
scared of investing in nuclear power, scared of moving ahead in carbon
capture and storage, and scared of developing new, efficient biofuels
– whether on the land or in the laboratory. Public guilt about climate
change is a waste of energy. Progress may have got us into this mess
but it is also what is going to get us out of it.

This talk builds on elements of the speaker's recent book "Energise! A
future for energy innovation" (co-authored with Joe Kaplinsky). This
book has been described "A cogent, widely researched analysis of the
future of energy which will enable readers finally to distinguish fact
from fiction" and "A hugely useful reframing of the debate". The talk
will be of interest to everyone concerned with the future of
technology, and the role of innovation and culture
to support a richly energetic society.

About the speaker

Physics graduate; contributor to Computing and the New Civil Engineer;
visiting Professor of Forecasting and Innovation at De Montfort
University, Leicester, UK. Article on chemical weapons for The
Economist, 1978; co-author, Robots, 1984; The future of cities, report
for Glasgow Development Agency, 1988; multi-client study on
e-commerce, 1988; proposed Internet TV, 1993. Manager, worldwide
market intelligence, Philips Consumer Electronics, 1995-7; Cult IT,
ICA, 1999; `Play as the main event in international and UK culture',
Cultural Trends, 2003; Why is construction so backward? (John Wiley,
2004); Energise! A future for energy innovation (Beautiful Books,
2009). His website, Woudhuysen.com, carries the title "Thinking about
the future".

There is no charge to attend and everyone is welcome. Join the debate!

Discussion is likely to continue after the event, in a nearby pub, for
those who are able to stay.

Why not join some of the UKTA regulars for a drink and/or light lunch
beforehand, any time after 12.30pm, in The Marlborough Arms, 36
Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HJ. To find us, look out for a table
where there's a copy of the book "Energise" displayed.

Venue:

Room 538, on the fifth floor (via the lift near reception) in the main
Birkbeck College building, in Torrington Square (which is a
pedestrian-only square). Torrington Square is about 10 minutes walk
from either Russell Square or Goodge St tube stations.