Ideas that Changed the World Technology and the “Adjacent Possible” Innovation is advancing at a breakneck speed. Yet, no matter how fast it goes, it can never match the speed and scope of our imagination. This week, you will be doing a “reality check” that will attempt to calibrate our imagination with what is possible. You will write an essay in which you will make a realistic assessment of what is (and isn’t) possible in the near future. Begin by assessing the current state of things. What is (and isn’t) possible now? Now imagine the world 10 years from now. What kind of technological or ideological changes do you think will be prevalent? What ideas will still be beyond our reach? Why? Do not just make assertions. Your answers should be supported by evidence. It is important to note that this assignment is NOT asking you to use your imagination to simply come up with future ideas. You are to be making a realistic appraisal of what is feasible in the future given the current state of things (what Johnson calls the “adjacent possible). Divide your essay into three sections. Section I should contain a survey of the current adjacent possible. Provide a few examples from credible articles to support your survey. Section II should contain your assessment of the world 10 years from now. Section III should contain your justification of section II, and should refer to section I. For inspiration, here are some technologies and ideologies that you might consider analyzing: Alternative or traditional energyMedical technologyNew forms of transportation (including space exploration technology)Computer/telecommunications devicesEconomic movements (e.g. capitalism and socialism)Political movements (e.g. globalism and nationalism)Social movements (e.g. the pro-life movement and the LGBT movement) Your essay must be written following APA Guidelines. It should be 2-3 pages in length, not including your title page and references.

DISCUSSION 2 (JOIN)Module 2: Using the questions below as a jump-off point, respond to one of these assigned readings (200 words minimum) and then to at least two other students posts, one of which must be on a different reading. At least 300 words total are expected (be sure to add word count). NOTE: all readings are assigned and testable on the exam, whether or not you write on them as your D-Board response.Option #1: ISIS may have been vanquished on the battlefield (though that remains to be seen). Nonetheless, the following news article is sadly one of many to detail the malicious and atavistic campaign ISIS conducted while in power against ancient sites and museums collections in the Middle East: Mosul, Nimrud, Ninevah, Palmyra. One could make a parallel claim (and perhaps we should) for damage done to Baghdad and the Babylon site during the Iraq invasion and occupation -- in particular the capital's celebrated museum, tragically abandoned to looters during the Fall of Baghdad in 2003. Read the Kareem Shaheen article and then discuss the value of ancient art as humanity’s collective cultural heritage, and museums as storehosues of such culture.2.9: Kareem Shaheen - Outcry over Isis destruction of ancient Assyrian site of Nimrud (READ)Option #2: Mesopotamian Deep Impact! The Kofels site has long mystified geologists and historians alike. Referring to at least two details from the Nic Fleming article, describe what the event was, and which book helped bring it into the public consciousness. State who Mark Hempsell is and what the new explanation is. Then decide whether you find it plausible or implausible, after considering Blue Collar Scientist's rebuttal. (Links to an external site.)2.6: Nic Fleming - Clay tablet holds clue to asteroid mystery (READ)http://web.archive.org/web/20090604213958/http:/bluecollarscientist.com/2008/04/16/a-response-to-mark-hempsell/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.