GeekSpeak – How will autonomous driving change our cities? Join the discussion Oct. 19th at 12pm SLT

In a few years from now self-driving electric cars will be a reality.  What will our cities be like?  Will there be more cars or fewer?  Will the possession of a car become a small business since cars can be robotaxis when they are not being used by the owner? 
Will cities become much pleasanter places to live?  Fewer cars, and maybe most of those driving in underground tunnels, less pollution, quiet streets with plenty of room for pedestrians.
How will the labour market be changed?  Millions of truck drivers, car mechanics, highway police, garage attendants will be jobless.  On the other hand, new jobs will be created.  Maybe you can get a hairdresser to ride along with you in a robotaxi, or some form of entertainment.
What will commuting be like in 10 years?  Come and discuss your vision of the future of transport.  Bring your friends!

IM Vulcan Viper if you have ideas for new subjects.

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GeekSpeak – reaching a Kardashev Type 1 civilization. Join the Discussion on Saturday, August 31st at 12pm SLT

Reaching level 1 on the Kardashev scale means storing and using all the energy that the earth gets from the sun.  We will reach this when we increase our energy production about a million-fold.  Can we ever get there?  Will we need to hollow out the earth and use all the asteroids around?

What will happen if we do not reach it?  Will we fall back to stone age energy levels, or is there a middle way?

What will life be like if we do reach it?  Imagine spending a terawatt for your morning breakfast!

Come and discuss our energy future on a long timeline.  Bring your friends.

IM Vulcan Viper if you have ideas for new subjects.

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GeekSpeak – can we prevent or survive climate change? Join the Discussion Saturday, Oct 20th at 12pm SLT

According to the IPCC (the intergovernmental panel on climate change) the next 12 years will determine our fate on our beloved Earth.  Will we completely change our ways and go green on a massive scale?  Or will we all perish in a series of cataclysmic events that will destroy everything we have taken for granted for so long?

If we do survive how will we have to change?  Will life in that future world be worth living at all?  Or do you think we cannot change and our generation is one of the last left on this pale blue dot?

Or do you think the threat of climate change is not serious, that it is all driven by panic (or maybe politics) and we can continue living as we do now?

Come and discuss climate change before it is too late.  Bring a rubber boat.

IM Vulcan Viper if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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