Further to my last post about brainmail issue 100, I’m in Sydney May 16-22 for the Writers’ Festival and I’m sure a drinks can’t be too difficult. Maybe the Lord Nelson in the Rocks? Watch this blog (and brainmail).
If you’re in the northern hemisphere 21 April in London is looking like a go. Notting Hill. Details to come (again right here on the blog and in brainmail 100).
Oh and Berlin next Friday. Bit too soon, but just on the off chance.
Just about to make issue 98 of brainmail live. To celebrate issue number 100 I’m thinking about having a few small drinks parties. Maybe London, Sydney and New York. Register your interest (but more importantly your location)below via comments.
Should wine lists only be allowed to exist on paper?
This is priceless. I was at dinner in London last night and asked for the wine list. The list promptly appeared – on an iPad. Great idea in theory, especially with longer lists, but we got locked out of the wine list twice because we forgot the password! (we’d been drinking).
So the question is should a list of wines, which to me are all about geography, provenance and age-old artisan skills, be allowed to exist digitally or float around in the cloud? My personal answer is fine to digital, just as long as I can still have the option of paper.
Another one from Matt…while I get my act together with the next What’s Next.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs are not a new invention. In 1849, Austria attacked Venice using unmanned balloons filled with bombs. Since then, UAVs — or “drones” as they are commonly known — have been used in several wars as decoys and reconnaissance aircraft. In recent years, they have also been armed with laser-guided missiles and bombs and used — somewhat controversially — by the US to attack targets in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Drones are also taking off in the hobbyist sector, typically in the form of quadcopters. These work with two sets of counter-rotating blades, which makes them inherently more stable, easier to control, and cheaper to produce than radio-controlled helicopters or planes. Many can be controlled using a smartphone or tablet, and most come equipped with a camera for taking photos and video. They’re cheap, too — you can pick up tiny ones for as little as $15 on Amazon.
As well as flying for fun, quadcopters are being used in an ever-growing variety of ways, including surveillance, filmmaking, journalism, law enforcement, scientific research, and archaeology. Delivery drones are a hot area: they’ve already been used to deliver medicines, and many companies are looking into using drones for commercial goods delivery, from Amazon’s “Prime Air” service to the TacoCopter, delivering — you guessed it — tacos to smartphone-equipped hipsters in the SF Bay Area.
However, there are still obstacles to overcome, mainly to do with regulation and safety. This year, a rather disturbing video of a quadcopter appearing to fire a handgun appeared on YouTube. There are also many privacy issues to think about. Most countries have fairly tight regulation around UAVs, and it’s not yet legal to use them commercially in the US (which is the main reason we haven’t seen Amazon Prime Air yet). However, this regulation is likely to become more flexible over time. In a few years from now, drones might be as commonplace as buses on your local high street.
Refs:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-10713898
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadcopter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/video/features/are-quadcopters-legal%3F
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Prime_Air
http://tacocopter.com
https://thestack.com/world/2015/07/16/a-drone-firing-a-gun-so-this-is-what-all-the- regulation-is-about-2/
I have a habit of buying random magazines on the basis that I might learn something new (and to avoid getting trapped in routine). Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Anyway, I just bought the March edition of GQ magazine.
Nothing much of interest, except for a quote in the foreword that caught my eye:
“The main reason airport security is so bad is that it tries to find things instead of people who might carry them.”
The piece goes on to say that airport security is essentially a performance to reassure passengers and that it’s “security theatre as opposed to security reality.” I’d partly agree with that and also the observation that because security screening as a job is boring: “sloppiness is inevitable”.
Is the only worthwhile security change since 9/11 is the introduction of locked blast-proof cockpit doors? That’s quite a call. Moreover, people do look for people. If you’ve ever flown with El Al (I have) psychological observation techniques are used to good effect, although whether this enhances the customer experience is another matter.
In the US at least there are malicious intent detectors too. These look at the people not just what they might be carrying. There are some fairly sophisticated algorithms out there too that can tell whether someone is about to jump in front of a train or do something you shouldn’t on a plane. Less said about these the better. I’m fairly sure MI5 and MI6 are fairly focused on persons of interest too.
The foreword ends with the thought that we should keep things in perspective. I’d agree. You are more likely to be injured or killed climbing a ladder than getting on an aircraft. Second, what about the security surrounding buses, trains and even hotels? There isn’t much if any. I was at a 5-Star London hotel earlier this week and my bag was scanned and I was asked to open my jacket, but this wouldn’t be difficult to evade.
The best thought in the article, I thought, was the idea that terrorists dislike unpredictability. Perhaps security should therefore be a surprise. More of a spectrum where you never know quite what you’re going to get. Relaxed one minute, rigorous the next. This would also make the job of screening less dull. I think airports, or anywhere else for that matter, should also plug into the wisdom of crowds more. There are posters here and there asking people to report suspicious behaviour, but couldn’t this be made a bit more open and intelligent using social media perhaps?
Further to my post earlier this month about London’s best thinking spaces I’ve been thinking, appropriately, about some further places to think. But it’s become exceedingly obvious that this subject could be split into two or even three distinct parts. My original post was, I suppose, about inspiring places to hold idea generation meetings in London. But I think there’s also a need for places where individuals can think alone – without the need for Post-it notes. And then there are places where individuals might want to think about things that have nothing whatsoever to do with work – spiritual places perhaps.
I’ll get to the last set of places in due course (maybe), but here’s a more comprehensive list for the first two. BTW, if you’re wondering where I’m writing this, the answer is the 41st floor of The Shard, the tallest building in the European Union (image above and entry later on below).
London’s best places to hold inspirational meetings*
The wine cellar at the Stamford Hotel
You might need to like wine for this to work, but if it’s an unusual venue you after for a medium-large dinner this 380-year-old cellar might be it (see image below).
The material’s library, University College, London, WC1
If you’re a designer and you want to be around inspiring people and materials try this (below) as something a little bit different.
The solar shuttle on the serpentine, Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park, W2
Slightly bonkers, but why not hire the whole thing (above) and go for a float on a nice day. Ideas need to be agreed by the time your time runs out.
The rooftop bar at Boundary, 2-4 Boundary Street, E2
Again, if you want some fresh air to fuel your thinking try this rooftop in Hackney (above).
The rooftop Terrace at Madison, 1 New Change St, St Paul’s, EC4
And another (above).
The Kensington Roof Gardens, London, W8
And another…if you’ve got a bigger budget (Kensington roof gardens above)
The Skybar (and private room) at the Gerkin (Searcy’s).
The top of the Gerkin (above) has some great spaces. I did a catered breakfast talk here for PWC and it worked really well.
London’s livery companies are worth a look if you want a sense of history (I’ve spoken at Stationers Hall twice) as is Inner Temple. Temple Hall (below).
See main image at head of this post, but you can hire a variety of spaces in the hotel and the view is just as good as the observation deck. Hutong, a Chinese restaurant, which is accessed via a separate entrance, also has some good small (8-12 people?) private dining spaces with fantastic views, especially at night (image below).
More of a big budget venue, but the river terrace is worth consideration, especially in summer. (Image below, Seamen’s hall).
The ‘business playground’ at Pullman St Pancras station, London N1C
A bit ‘out of the box’ especially the boxes that come with the room (below).
The Balcony on the 28th Floor at Galvan at the Hilton Park Lane, London W1
The best view of London…in the 1970s (except for Telecomm Tower, RIP, of course).
Private dining room at Bob Bob Richard, 1 Upper James St, Soho, W1.
Private dining room that’s a cross between the Orient Express (with Agatha Christie on board) and a private yacht that’s gone a bit, well, overboard. Strictly for Russian Oligarchs.
The Delaunay, Covent Garden, 55, Aldwych, WC2
Another private dining room (below) that feels a bit like a private train carriage from the 1930s. Edge of the City rather than Soho this time.
Daphne’s, South Kensington, London, SW3.
Yet another private dining room, but this time with light. The roof comes off in summer.
(Daphne’s below)
The British Museum. How could I not include this? Hire a space or just walk into the Great Court, one of London’s most amasing spaces, by Foster & Partners. (Image below).
Tate Modern? If it floats your boat. Actually I was part of a London Business School workshop in a hired space here. The room looked out across the Thames and worked out really well. Turbine Hall (above) is great for solo thinking.
Something a bit off-beat (above). Perfect for FMCG company brainstorms. You can also just wander around by yourself and work out how old you really are (“OMG, I remember those”).
Not much mention of outdoor thinking spaces so far. Just go for a walk, even if there’s twenty of you. Try somewhere busy (the length of Oxford Street perhaps) or somewhere quiet, like a London park. Kew Gardens (above) can be hired for events.
The Gallery at the Imagination building, South Crescent, WC1
This (below) feels a little like something from Star Wars. Bring your own storm troppers.
Other thoughts for corporate events? Try the ICA, Museum of London, Royal Academy, Wallace Collection and the Wellcome Collection.
London’s best places to inspire individual thinking**
Here’s the second set of locations, although, as you can see, there’s considerable overlap.
British Museum reading room
(Above British Museum Reading Room…Shhhhh)
The London library, 14, St James’s square, SW1
(London Library above – you’ll need to join).
The garden of St Dunstan-in-the-East, Idol lane, EC3
(Garden of St Dunstan above – you may find me here in summer)
Sir John Soane’s museum, London, WC2
(Soane above – possibly my favourite museum in London).
Dennis Severs house, London, E1
Dennis Severs House (above). If you need a blast from the past….
The conservatory at the Barbican, Silk Street, London, EC2
Nobody seems to know about this – possibly because finding the entrance to the Barbican is almost impossible (hint: look for the escalators just off the roundabout. Go see the Museum of London while you are there).
Geffrye Museum walled herb garden, London, E2
Geffrye Museum (above). A good place to think about anything to do with the home and household goods.
Chelsea Physic garden, London, SW3
(Chelsea Physic – above. Another of London’s hidden gems).
The cake shop at the London Review bookshop, London, WC1A
Slightly off the radar, but a lovely quiet spot to think.
Smithfield (Above, some time ago). Go about 5am when London is waking up. Good for breakfast from about 3am onwards.
V&A (above) if you must – never cared for either of them myself.
(Design Museum below. A must for designers seeking inspiration).
Another of my favourite museums above (Alongside the Soane and the Ashmolean in Oxford). The gardens are great too. All built from tea if I remember the story correctly. BTW, nice Buzzfeed link here on amazing London spaces, including Horniman museum.
Waterstone’s bookshop, London, WC1E
A Shop? Yes. A giant bookshop. I used to have an office a few feet away from here and would wander in aimlessly from time to time. I would often walk out with an idea, largely due to the serendipitous nature of bookshops. (Image above).
Some other ideas (I’m too tired to add more images).
Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge walk – but try running it.
Running track in in Regent’s Park, London, NW1
Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, EC4
Or Even song at Westminster Abbey
(All getting into category 3 a bit here!)
A few other offbeat places to think…
Highgate Cemetery
Great sunrise spots
(Do sunrise, not sunset…energy is more positive
The natural swimming pond at King’s Cross, London, N1C
Or try the sauna!
Feeding the ducks in St James’s Park, London, SW1. Got kids? Get ducks!
Driving around the entire M25 (try it!)
——
By the way, if you’ve found a space but need a speaker, get in touch!
* Most of these places will need to be booked well in advance.
** The assumption here is that you’ll wander around in relative silence. If you try to hold a ‘meeting’ you will probably be asked to leave. Many of these spaces do, however, have meeting rooms and other spaces that can be hired.
*** If you’re looking for other restaurants with private rooms I’d suggest you look at Harden’s restaurant guide.
If you don’t live in Australia you’ll have almost certainly missed this – ABC Radio’s Future Tense programme on rating, reviewing and ranking online. Yours truly is up first. First mention of the new book too, although it’s not out until April. Play postcast (20 minutes)
I was also on the Gadget Show Future Special on Friday (Channel 5, UK)
Here’s a true story. A few weeks ago I decided to take one of my old cars for a run. It’s a very old car and if it isn’t run regularly things start to go wrong with it. It was the first dry day in weeks, although there was a heavy frost. The run was fine, although it wasn’t long enough so I decided to extend it. Long story short, I hit some black ice on a bend. I wasn’t travelling fast – 20mph perhaps – but I ended up on the wrong side of the road in front of a van coming directly at me at a similar speed. We missed each other, but I ended up in a hedge and did quite a bit of damage to my car.
Here’s an alternative scenario. My insurance company is well aware of the weather in my area. In fact they’ve been alerted by three local drivers that they’ve hit trouble. So when I open my garage, or possibly before, I receive a text saying that there have been three accidents in the area in the last few hours and it’s recommended that I don’t take the car out until any ice has melted. Maybe I’d get a tiny discount for not driving my car on this particular day.
In the future insurers will have a far better understanding of risk, much of it in near real-time, because of the devices we constantly carry around with us – phones especially – and due to ubiquitous smart sensors. Eventually there will trillions of these tiny sensors reporting on just about everything all of the time. The data these devices capture will be used to predict behaviour, which will be used to cluster pools of customers and aggregate risk, but also to personalise policies to single individuals and companies. Eventually these sensors will be mandatory in all vehicles and it will be impossible to get insurance cover without them.
The nature of this data will allow insurance companies to vastly reduce risk by warning customers to avoid certain situations, again in real time. This could be purely punitive, but more likely insurance companies will ‘game’ their customers to nudge them in various virtuous directions. Thus insurance companies will move from risk recovery to risk avoidance. This will further blur the distinction between real life and virtual life and insurance companies will cover virtual assets, information and identity as much as they cover physical assets.
Digitalisation will allow new pricing models and payment options too. For example, travel or life insurance will mostly be bought by the day – or even by the second – and the cost would be dynamic, responding instantly to changing context and variables. If it looks as though a tourist is straying into a risky part of town they might receive a text telling them so. Or perhaps their insurance company will notice that they’re away from home and ask for an increased premium or suggest that since they aren’t driving the family car for a while the reduced risk be transferred into cash-back or would result in a discounted travel policy.
If a customer is skiing and the weather looks nasty it would be possible to buy cover on the spot on a ski lift using a phone, but also to link to other skiers on the mountain to assess the risk locally and possibly cover it via the crowd. This might be ‘sold’ to users on the basis that it’s a little like online gambling.
An individual on the lift might also receive a text from Google saying that their latest weather data, together with known data about the individual’s left knee, would suggest that additional medical cover would be sensible if the individual is not wearing augmented reality ski goggles that display hidden hazards. Or maybe the text comes from the travel company, the ski-maker, the ski boot maker or the ski clothing company, all of which are connected to the internet. All companies, regardless of what they make, are now in the information business and offer added-value services direct to their customers.
Similarly, cars, even before they’re autonomous, will collect data on not only real-time driving conditions, but on the behaviour of the driver and other drivers in the vicinity. The telemetry and data analysis used by F1 teams now will eventually be available to everyone.
If a car noticed that a driver was driving erratically it could ask other connected devices for an explanation. The drivers bed might report that the driver had very little sleep the previous night so the car would automatically adjust its safety controls as a result. Insurance costs might be increased until the driver had a good nights sleep.
Of course we shouldn’t forget pets. These will be fitted with collars or embedded sensors that track physical activity and perhaps link to known food purchasing or consumption habits. This will allow for personalisation and the identification of overweight animals and owners.
Homes will be wired and intelligent too, with buildings automatically reporting on their condition and that of any significant object and appliance within. For example, inadequate heating would impact the cost of cover as this may in turn affect frozen pipe risks. Medical insurance would be much the same – constant real-time data reporting on the condition of insured individuals, perhaps with updates based upon daily exercise, food intake, pill consumption and any recent medical interventions. This would be augmented with genetic information about each individual. Any deviation from an agreed policy condition (a sneaky cigarette or too many jam donuts) would void cover, although good behaviour would open up a series of added value benefits and services – the use of certain hard to see NHS medical professionals or access to low-risk robotic surgeons. Expect Apple, Google and Vodafone to all be active in this area.
Most customer contact and pricing will be through mobile devices and this will itself see a high degree of automation with renewals simply requiring customers to press ‘9’ if they would like to renew a policy. Robotic insurance advisors and salespeople will also become commonplace.
How would all this be possible? Beyond the ubiquitous digital connection of individuals and objects, one very big change will be the disappearance of cash. All purchasing will be digital and will therefore record what is being bought, by whom, where and when. Once such modelling becoming precise it will be possible to offer customers cover across all risks with payment that’s constantly changing, much as a domestic utility bill is related to how much of a particular resource is used.
However, the ownership of all this data, much of it reporting on previously unseen, unobservable or private behaviours, will be extremely valuable and this is where the potential scenario breakers come in.
Firstly, whose data is this anyway? If the data is valuable individuals and institutions may demand full or partial payment beyond the payment in kind currently afforded by low-level personalisation.
Secondly, privacy. Will individuals and institutions be happy to let others see or share the data relating to their behaviour, especially when it becomes far more apparent how this data is being collected and how it’s being used and in some cases sold?
Third, security. Perhaps on-going problems relating to data hacking, identity theft or government surveillance will result in a significant move away from smart sensors and big data.
A couple of things I noticed while reading some potential material for the next issue of What’s Next. The first is a review of the Book of Numbers by Joshua Cohen. The book starts off with a not so gentle suggestion that readers forget about lightly skimming the book on a Kindle or other such sterile screen: “If you’re reading this in a screen, fuck off.”
The second is a passage from a book called Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig. He asked whether we’ve “been through some trauma we didn’t know about? Was the noise and speed of modern life the trauma for our caveman brains?” Or is it that “life was a kind of war that most people didn’t see?”
This chimes with a passage from my own book Digital Vs. Human:
“So have we invented any new fears of late? Is it the warp speed of geopolitical change that’s unsettling us? Is technology creating a new form of digital disorder that’s disorientating, or is it something else?”
