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Museums & the IoT: Innovating With Wayfinding
In TrendsWatch 2013, Phil and I explored the implications of entering a time “When Stuff Talks Back.” The Internet of Things, as this phenomenon is also known, arises from the proliferation of internet connected devices that can collect … -
TrendsWatch Update: 3-D Scanning and Printing
So much good stuff, what to highlight? 3-D printing overall continues to take off. In June, MakerBot was bought for $403M by industrial printing company Stratsys, demonstrating the industry’s belief in the exploding market for desktop … -
Through a (Google) Glass, Darkly
At the Tech@LEAD conference last week, Neal Stimler let me try his Google Glass. I had been kicking myself for not applying to be an early adopter of Glass, so I was happy to draft off Neal’s successful bid, however briefly. I’ve been … -
Museums & Wikipedia—a Two Year Update
I recently read a post on the New York Times blogs about a wiki edit-athon at Smithsonian American Art Museum here in D.C. That prompted me to ping Lori Byrd Phillips, digital marketing coordinator at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. … -
Notes from the Future of Accessibility
Today I will be live-blogging from the Tech@LEAD conference (Technology for Cultural Inclusion) at the Kennedy Center in DC. I hope to be a conduit for your participation in the event–please let me know about things you would like me … -
Exhibiting Yesterday’s Futures
Phil and I have been collecting notes on exhibits that help society think about the future. For example, this 2010 exhibit of futuristic art in London; “Lifestyle 2050” at Japan’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation; or … -
Flower Power: A Story of Organizational Re-Blossoming
A reporter recently asked me to name the biggest barrier standing in the way of museums adapting to the forces shaping the future. My reply was “ourselves—the funding and organizational structures that tether us to outdated models and … -
The Emerging Federal Role for Competency Education
CFM has been exploring the future of education in papers, presentations, stories and blog posts. Sometimes we look at mainstream futures (such as Naomi Coquillon’s recent post on museums & the Common Core curriculum standards). … -
Want to Make a (Long) Bet On That?
It’s summer and things are slow, so sometimes Futurist Friday (my sporadic series of posts recommending reading & viewing) is going to fall earlier in the week. This week’s recommendation: the Long Now Foundation’s Long Bets site. … -
Futurist Friday: Scanning the Crowdfunding Sites
I hope by now I’ve convinced you of the benefits of reading widely & eclectically, and of including “fringe” as well as mainstream sources in your scanning. Today’s Futurist Friday assignment: set aside 15 minutes to browse a …
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Center for the Future of Museums Blog
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Advocacy Alert
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Press Release
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