World Scholars' Cup - Futurity Practice Questions PDF

Introductory Questions: ​ Rip Van Winkle - Dutch-American villager named Rip Van Winkle who meets mysterious Dutchmen, imbibes their strong liquor and falls deeply asleep in the Catskill Mountains. He awakes 20 years later to a very changed world, having missed the American...

Introductory Questions: ​ Rip Van Winkle - Dutch-American villager named Rip Van Winkle who meets mysterious Dutchmen, imbibes their strong liquor and falls deeply asleep in the Catskill Mountains. He awakes 20 years later to a very changed world, having missed the American Revolution ​ “Slice of life” - is a depiction of mundane experiences in art and entertainment. In theater, slice of life refers to naturalism, while in literary parlance it is a narrative technique in which a seemingly arbitrary sequence of events in a character's life is presented, often lacking plot development, conflict, and exposition, as well as often having an open ending ​ Moore’s Law - the observation that the number of transistors in an integrated circuit (IC) doubles about every two years. Moore's law is an observation and projection of a historical trend. Rather than a law of physics, it is an empirical relationship. It is an experience-curve law, a type of law quantifying efficiency gains from experience in production ​ “Counting up to twenty” - boundless optimistic song ​ “The best is yet to be” (Robert Browning) - poem that evokes sense of possibility and hope ​ Pessimistic age - some people even avoid having children to protect them from the grim days ahead ​ “A tale of two-cities” - a historical novel published in 1859 by English author Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in the Bastille in Paris, and his release to live in London with his daughter Lucie whom he had never met. The story is set against the conditions that led up to the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror The Best is Yet to Be, or Not To Be? ​ In 2009, the Australian government announced an ambitious project to provide super-fast fiber-based Internet to 93% of the population; in 2013, it revised the plan to reuse existing copper wire; in 2025, many Australians still have no (or slow) Internet. First promise big things, then revise the promise to make them little things, then don’t finish them anyway. This isn’t (we hope) a description of the World Scholar’s Cup curriculum release process, but a pattern of behavior for governments all over the world. Discuss with your team: is it better to underpromise and overdeliver, or vice versa? ​ Don’t worry, Australia—you’re not alone. (More on loneliness later.) In Canada, a proposed high-speed rail network had its target speed slashed before being rebranded as a high frequency network. In many developed countries, ambitious projects have gone out of fashion in favor of slow, incremental ones. Check out the mega projects below, as well as those from your own country, then discuss with your team: is this shift in approach justified? How might megaprojects (or their failure) affect the way people perceive progress? And are some countries more consistently successful at these projects? ○​ Big Dig: A major highway project in Boston, Massachusetts, involving the rerouting of the Central Artery into a tunnel to reduce traffic congestion. ○​ Channel Tunnel: An underwater rail tunnel connecting the UK and France, allowing for high-speed train travel beneath the English Channel. ○​ California High-Speed Rail: A planned high-speed rail system in California aimed at connecting major cities across the state with fast and efficient train service. ○​ Sejong City: A planned city in South Korea designed to serve as a new administrative capital, promoting balanced regional development. ○​ Hambantota: A port city in Sri Lanka, known for its deep-water port and as a hub for trade and logistics in the region. ○​ NEOM: A planned cross-border city in Saudi Arabia, envisioned as a hub for innovation and technology, part of the country's Vision 2030 initiative. ○​ Khazar Islands: A planned urban development project in Azerbaijan, aimed at creating a modern city on artificial islands in the Caspian Sea. ○​ Three Gorges Dam: The world's largest hydroelectric dam located on the Yangtze River in China, designed to generate electricity and control flooding. ○​ Hong Kong-Zhuhai Bridge: A major bridge-tunnel system connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau, facilitating transportation and trade in the Greater Bay Area. ○​ New Eurasia Land Bridge: A proposed transportation corridor linking Western China to Western Europe, enhancing trade and connectivity across the continent. Big Dig: A major highway project in Boston, Massachusetts, involving the rerouting of the Central Artery into a tunnel to reduce traffic congestion. ○​ Channel Tunnel: An underwater rail tunnel connecting the UK and France, allowing for high-speed train travel beneath the English Channel. ○​ California High-Speed Rail: A planned high-speed rail system in California aimed at connecting major cities across the state with fast and efficient train service. ○​ Sejong City: A planned city in South Korea designed to serve as a new administrative capital, promoting balanced regional development.  ○​ Hambantota: A port city in Sri Lanka, known for its deep-water port and as a hub for trade and logistics in the region. ○​ NEOM: A planned cross-border city in Saudi Arabia, envisioned as a hub for innovation and technology, part of the country's Vision 2030 initiative. ○​ Khazar Islands: A planned urban development project in Azerbaijan, aimed at creating a modern city on artificial islands in the Caspian Sea. ○​ Three Gorges Dam: The world's largest hydroelectric dam located on the Yangtze River in China, designed to generate electricity and control flooding. ○​ Hong Kong-Zhuhai Bridge: A major bridge-tunnel system connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau, facilitating transportation and trade in the Greater Bay Area. ○​ New Eurasia Land Bridge: A proposed transportation corridor linking Western China to Western Europe, enhancing trade and connectivity across the continent. ​ Sometimes social distancing is the problem. In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a pressing global health threat. Explore how this concern varies around the world, then discuss with your team: do you agree that there is a “loneliness epidemic”—and, if so, how can it be treated? ​ Some countries have tried tackling the problem with technology—and none more so than Japan. Explore efforts to “fix” loneliness in Japan and elsewhere, then discuss with your team: are they the sorts of solutions that more societies should adopt? What technologies would you design to achieve the same aims? ​ In 2021, the UN Development Programme found that living conditions in 90% of the world's countries had declined for the second year in a row—possibly contributing to declining birth rates. Discuss with your team: is this decline irreversible or will the world’s population begin to boom again? Should we want it to? ​ During the Covid pandemic, podcasts exploded in popularity. Their hosts (or at least their subtly-enhanced voices) became many people’s closest friends in a solitary time. Discuss with your team: are podcasts meaningfully different from old-fashioned radio broadcasts in their impact on society, and will their impact continue? In other words, how dated will this bullet seem, ten years from now?) ​ Speaking of bullets, the man who eventually assassinated American President James Garfield, Charles Guiteau, was certain they had a close personal connection (which, of course, Garfield never knew about.) The Internet has driven a surge in these one-sided “parasocial” relationships. Algorithms on these platforms are designed to boost engagement and view time, even if the content is harmful or raises false hopes. Explore how social media also affects the health of  adults and seniors, then discuss with your team: who should be held responsible when an algorithm promotes harmful content? Could you design an algorithm to craft a healthier, happier society—and would it be successful? ​ How often do you pick up your phone to check a fact or answer a question during a meal with friends or family? Can you imagine living in a world where things just—stay mysterious, and where you have no idea what is happening a thousand miles away? Researchers have found that the oversaturation of news, especially of negative stories, leads to constant stress and a skewed worldview, especially when they contain violent images and videos. Discuss with your team: to protect people’s mental health, should the government (or others) limit the amount of information we can consume? In Futurity, Someone Prophetic Sees ​ Nostradamus never predicted that people would remember him 500 years later, but his reputation for accurate prophecies has nonetheless flourished for centuries. Discuss with your team: why do people want to know their future in advance? Would it benefit them if they did? If someone offered you the opportunity to read a biography of your life, would you? ​ Some poets have also taken a swing at predicting the future. Consider the selections below, then discuss with your team: how seriously were they intended to tell the future? Is poetry (with its often murky meanings) the perfect vehicle for prophecy? ○​ Horace: A Roman poet known for his lyrical poetry, particularly his odes, which explore themes of love, nature, and philosophy. His poem “Ode I. 11” (23 BCE) famously reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of seizing the moment. ○​ William Butler Yeats: An Irish poet and playwright, Yeats is a key figure in 20th-century literature. His poem “The Second Coming” (1919) addresses themes of chaos, prophecy, and the cyclical nature of history, often interpreted as a response to the turmoil of World War I. ○​ Robert Frost: An American poet celebrated for his depictions of rural life and nature. In “Fire and Ice” (1920), he explores the themes of desire and hatred, contemplating the potential end of the world through these elemental forces. ○​ Emily Dickinson: An American poet known for her unique style and introspective themes. In “The Future—never spoke”  (1921), she reflects on the uncertainty of the future and the limitations of human understanding, emphasizing the mystery of what lies ahead. ​ Anthropologists believe that this sort of divination is a practice as old as Neolithic humans. Look briefly (no rabbit holes, please) into the following ancient divination techniques, then discuss with your team: which are still practiced today, and, if they seem hard to believe now, why do you think so many people once believed in them? ○​ Comparative Horoscopy: A method of astrology that involves comparing the natal charts of two or more individuals to analyze their compatibility and potential relationships. ○​ Haruspicy: An ancient practice of divination that involves examining the entrails of sacrificed animals, particularly the liver, to predict future events or gain insight into the will of the gods. ○​ Ornithomancy: A form of divination that interprets the behavior and flight patterns of birds to predict future events or gain insight into specific questions. ○​ Alectryomancy: A type of divination that uses a rooster to determine answers to questions, often by observing the bird's pecking behavior on specific grains or symbols. ○​ Pyro-Osteomancy: A form of divination that involves interpreting the patterns and shapes formed by burning bones or other materials, often used to gain insight into future events. ○​ Oneiromancy: The practice of interpreting dreams to predict the future or gain insight into a person's life, often based on the belief that dreams hold prophetic significance. ○​ Bibliomancy: A method of divination that involves selecting a random passage from a book, often a sacred text, to gain insight or guidance on a specific question or situation. ○​ Hydromancy: A form of divination that uses water, often by observing the movement or ripples in water, to gain insight or predict future events. ○​ Astragalomancy: A type of divination that involves casting or throwing dice or knucklebones (astragali) and interpreting the results to gain insight or predict outcomes.  ○​ Scyphomancy: A form of divination that involves interpreting the patterns formed by liquid in a cup or vessel, often used to gain insight into future events or personal situations. ○​ Astrology: The study of the positions and movements of celestial bodies (such as planets and stars) and their influence on human affairs and natural phenomena, often used to create horoscopes for individuals. ​ Firefighter, astronaut, investment banker—diviner of the future? If you’re thinking about future careers, consider a career in thinking about the future. Explore the following future-telling occupations, then discuss with your team: should governments regulate this industry, and, if so, how? ○​ Palmistry: The practice of interpreting the lines, shapes, and features of a person's palms to gain insight into their character, personality, and potential future. ○​ Physiognomy: The study of facial features and expressions as a means of assessing a person's character or predicting their behavior. ○​ Ceromancy: A form of divination that involves interpreting the shapes and patterns formed by melted wax, often poured into water, to gain insight into future events or personal situations. ○​ Tasseography: The practice of interpreting patterns in tea leaves or coffee grounds left in a cup after consumption to predict the future or provide guidance. ○​ Cartomancy: A method of divination that uses playing cards or tarot cards to gain insight into a person's life, future, or specific questions. ○​ Fortune Teller: A person who claims to predict the future or provide insights about a person's life through various methods of divination. ○​ Oracle: A person or medium through whom a deity or supernatural force is believed to communicate, often providing prophetic insights or guidance. ○​ Soothsayer: A person who claims to have the ability to predict the future, often through various forms of divination or intuition. ○​ Shaman: A spiritual practitioner in various cultures who is believed to have the ability to communicate with the spirit world, often for healing, guidance, or divination. ○​ Witch: A person, often associated with folk magic or pagan traditions, who is believed to have the ability to influence events or people through supernatural means. ○​ Clairvoyant: A person who claims to have the ability to gain information about an object, person, or event through extrasensory perception or intuition. ○​ Ifá: A system of divination in the Yoruba religion that involves the interpretation of patterns made by casting sacred palm nuts or using a divination tray. ○​ Jyotish: Also known as Vedic astrology, it is an ancient Indian system of astrology that uses the positions of celestial bodies to predict and analyze human affairs. ○​ I Ching: An ancient Chinese divination text that uses a system of hexagrams to provide guidance and insight into various situations and decisions. ○​ Bazi: A Chinese system of astrology that analyzes a person's birth date and time to provide insights into their personality, destiny, and life path. ○​ Jiaobei: A traditional Chinese divination method that involves the use of wooden blocks, often used in conjunction with the I Ching, to seek guidance from deities. ○​ Omikuji: A form of fortune-telling found at Shinto shrines in Japan, where individuals draw random fortunes written on strips of paper, often tied to a specific question or situation. ○​ Ouija: A board game used for divination, where participants use a planchette to spell out messages believed to come from spirits or the supernatural. ○​ Crystal Ball: A spherical object, often made of glass or crystal, used in divination practices to focus the mind and gain insights or visions about the future. ○​ Fortune Cookies: A crisp, folded cookie containing a piece of paper with a fortune or advice, often served in Chinese restaurants, believed to provide light-hearted predictions or insights. ○​ Horoscopes: Astrological forecasts based on the positions of celestial bodies at a specific time, typically used to provide insights into an individual's personality and predict future events. ​ Not all fortune tellers are mystics. Michio Kaku is an award-winning theoretical physicist whose side business is predicting the future in books like Physics of the Future and The Future of Humanity. Explore some of his predictions. ​ While predictors of the future look forward, artists look toward them as subjects for their work. Review the following artworks with your team, then discuss with your team: are they celebrating the predicting of the future or criticizing it—or are there more subtle stories in play? ○​ Art ○​ Caravaggio | The Fortune Teller (c. 1595): A painting by the Italian Baroque artist Caravaggio, depicting a young woman reading the palm of a man, capturing the tension between the allure of fortune-telling and the man's skeptical expression, showcasing Caravaggio's dramatic use of light and shadow. ○​ Georges de la Tour | The Fortune Teller (c. 1630): A work by the French Baroque painter Georges de la Tour, illustrating a scene where a fortune teller engages with a young man, emphasizing the intimate and mysterious atmosphere through soft lighting and the contrast between the figures. ○​ Michael Vrubel | The Fortune Teller (1895): A painting by the Russian artist Michael Vrubel, characterized by its vibrant colors and expressive brushwork, depicting a fortune teller with an ethereal quality, reflecting the Symbolist movement's focus on emotion and the mystical. ○​ Julio Romero de Torres | The Fortune Teller (1922): A work by the Spanish painter Julio Romero de Torres, showcasing a fortune teller in a traditional setting, blending elements of realism and romanticism, with a focus on the sensuality and allure of the subject. ○​ Helena Sofia Schjerfbeck | The Fortune Teller (Woman in a Yellow Dress) (1926): A painting by Finnish artist Helena Sofia Schjerfbeck, featuring a woman in a yellow dress, characterized by her distinctive style that emphasizes simplicity and emotional depth, capturing the essence of the fortune teller's character.  ○​ Jose Luis Cuevas | Dreams of Rasputin (1968): A work by Mexican artist Jose Luis Cuevas, exploring themes of mysticism and the supernatural, inspired by the enigmatic figure of Rasputin, blending elements of surrealism and expressionism to convey a sense of intrigue and psychological depth. ○​ Music ○​ Georges Bizet | “Trio des Cartes” (1875): A musical piece from Bizet's opera "Carmen," featuring a trio of characters who engage in a card game, reflecting themes of chance and fate within the context of the opera's dramatic narrative. ○​ Carl Orff | “O Fortuna” (1935): A powerful and dramatic choral piece from Orff's cantata "Carmina Burana," which explores the themes of fortune and fate, often associated with the cyclical nature of life and the unpredictability of fortune. ○​ Benny Spellman | “Fortune Teller” (1962): A rhythm and blues song by Benny Spellman that tells the story of a man seeking guidance from a fortune teller about his romantic life, blending catchy melodies with themes of love and destiny. ○​ Al Stewart | “Nostradamus” (1973): A song by Scottish singer-songwriter Al Stewart that reflects on the life and prophecies of Nostradamus, exploring themes of fate, prediction, and the impact of prophetic visions on human history. ○​ Suzanne Vega | “Predictions” (1990): A song by American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega that delves into themes of foresight and the uncertainty of the future, characterized by her introspective lyrics and distinctive folk-pop style. ​ Certain methods of divination seem more reliable than they are. Explore the following examples and terms, then discuss with your team: why is divination enjoying a resurgence amongst young people today? Is the future trending? ○​ Barnum effect: A psychological phenomenon where individuals believe vague or general statements about personality or  future predictions are highly accurate for them personally, often because the statements are broad enough to apply to many people. ○​ Pygmalion effect: A psychological principle where higher expectations placed on individuals lead to improved performance, often seen in educational and workplace settings, highlighting the impact of belief and encouragement on outcomes. ○​ Cold reading: A technique used by fortune tellers and mentalists to gather information about a person through observation and general statements, allowing them to create the illusion of having special insight or knowledge. ○​ Confirmation bias: The tendency for individuals to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or hypotheses while disregarding or minimizing evidence that contradicts them, affecting decision-making and perception. ○​ Self-fulfilling prophecy: A phenomenon where a belief or expectation about a person or event leads to behaviors that cause the belief to come true, reinforcing the original expectation and creating a cycle of influence. ​ Did you freely choose to read this bullet, or were you always bound to find yourself puzzling over it at this very moment? Explore the age-old debate between those who believe we have free will and those who believe we live in a deterministic universe, then discuss with your team: how much does it matter whether we are making choices for ourselves? Is it possible that some people have more free will than others? And, if criminals are not really choosing to be criminals, should they still be punished? Be sure to learn the differences between genetic, biological, and other forms of determinism. ○​ Ted Chiang | “What's expected of us” (2005): A short story by Ted Chiang that explores themes of determinism and free will through the lens of a futuristic device that predicts human behavior, raising questions about the nature of choice and expectation. ○​ C. Robert Cargill | Excerpts from Sea of Rust (2007): A science fiction novel by C. Robert Cargill set in a post-apocalyptic world where robots have taken over after humanity's extinction,  focusing on themes of survival, identity, and the consequences of technological advancement. ○​ Sam Hughes | “I don't know, Timmy, being God Is a big responsibility” (2007): A short story that humorously examines the challenges and dilemmas faced by a character who is tasked with the role of God, blending elements of fantasy and philosophical inquiry about power and responsibility. ​ Not all methods of foretelling the future are rooted in superstition or ritual; some stem from long-term observations and lived experiences. For example, the Chinese agricultural calendar is based on centuries observing the weather and the movement of celestial bodies. The result is a calendar that reliably predicts the movements of the sun and moon, ocean tides, astronomical events, and the turning of the seasons—one still referenced by farmers today. Research the following and explore with your team: are there any other reliable not-quite scientific methods of predicting the future that merit continued study? ○​ Aztec agricultural calendar: A calendar system used by the Aztecs that was primarily focused on agricultural cycles, consisting of 18 months of 20 days each, plus an additional short month, to guide farming activities and religious ceremonies. ○​ Mayan cyclical calendars: A complex system of calendars used by the Maya civilization, including the Tzolk'in (a 260-day ritual calendar) and the Haab' (a 365-day solar calendar), which worked together in a 52-year cycle known as the Calendar Round. ○​ Zodiac: A band of the sky divided into twelve equal parts, each associated with a specific constellation and corresponding to astrological signs, used in astrology to predict personality traits and future events based on the positions of celestial bodies. ○​ Solar terms: A traditional East Asian system that divides the solar year into 24 periods, each corresponding to specific seasonal changes, used in agriculture and cultural practices to guide farming activities and festivals. ○​ Computus: A method of calculating the date of Easter and other movable feasts in the Christian calendar, based on lunar and solar cycles, developed in early medieval times.  ○​ Saros: A period of approximately 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours that is used to predict eclipses, as eclipses separated by this interval will occur at similar geometrical conditions. ○​ Metonic cycle: A 19-year cycle used in astronomy and calendar systems, during which the phases of the moon repeat on the same days of the year, allowing for the alignment of lunar and solar calendars. ○​ Antikythera mechanism: An ancient Greek analog device used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendrical and astrological purposes, often considered the world's first known mechanical computer, dating back to around 150-100 BCE. The Future Wasn’t Meant to Be ​ Explore the following futuristic technologies that failed to be widely adopted. What prevented their success, and is there a situation in the future where they might find popularity? ○​ Rocket mail: A method of delivering mail using rockets, where packages or letters are launched to their destination, often used in experimental or promotional contexts. ○​ Flying car: A type of vehicle that is designed to operate both on the ground and in the air, combining features of traditional automobiles and aircraft, often envisioned as a solution for urban transportation. ○​ Maglev: Short for magnetic levitation, a transportation technology that uses magnetic forces to lift and propel vehicles, such as trains, allowing for high-speed travel with minimal friction. ○​ Zeppelin: A type of airship or dirigible that is filled with gas (such as helium or hydrogen) and is propelled by engines, historically used for passenger travel and cargo transport. ○​ Suspension railway: A type of railway in which the train is suspended from a track above it, often used in urban transit systems and amusement parks, allowing for efficient travel in limited space. ○​ Ground-effect vehicle: A vehicle that operates close to the surface of the ground or water, utilizing the aerodynamic lift generated by the ground effect to achieve greater efficiency and speed, often seen in hovercraft and certain types of aircraft. ○​ Supersonic transport: A type of aircraft designed to travel faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1), allowing for reduced travel times over long distances, exemplified by the Concorde.  ○​ Nuclear propulsion: A method of propulsion that uses nuclear reactions to generate thrust, often considered for use in submarines, spacecraft, and potentially in future commercial aviation. ○​ Hyperloop: A proposed high-speed transportation system that involves passenger pods traveling through low-pressure tubes at very high speeds, aiming to reduce travel times between cities significantly. ○​ Hydrogen vehicle: A type of vehicle that uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity for propulsion, producing only water vapor as a byproduct, seen as a clean alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. ○​ Mecha: A genre of science fiction that features large, humanoid robots or machines, often piloted by humans, commonly found in anime, manga, and video games. ○​ Metaverse: A collective virtual shared space created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual reality, encompassing augmented reality, virtual reality, and the internet, often used for social interaction, gaming, and commerce. ​ For many, the 1990s were an unabashedly optimistic time; the academic Francis Fukuyama infamously suggested we might have reached the end of history, or at least the end of conflicts between dictatorships and democracies. This optimism extended beyond political and academic circles into popular culture. Review the following artworks, then discuss with your team: what kind of excitement did they reflect for the upcoming century? Were they justified? ○​ Scorpions | “Wind of Change” (1990): A power ballad by the German rock band Scorpions, inspired by the political changes in Eastern Europe during the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly the fall of the Berlin Wall, symbolizing hope and unity. ○​ Jesus Jones | “Right Here, Right Now” (1991): A song by the British alternative rock band Jesus Jones that captures the spirit of the early 1990s, emphasizing themes of immediacy and the importance of living in the present moment, often associated with the rise of technology and global awareness. ○​ Michael Jackson | “Heal the World” (1991): A song by the American pop icon Michael Jackson that promotes themes of global compassion, healing, and social responsibility, encouraging listeners to make the world a better place for future generations. ○​ Michael Crawford | “Counting Up to Twenty” (1995): A song by British actor and singer Michael Crawford, known for its playful and educational lyrics aimed at children, focusing on counting and learning in a fun and engaging way.  ○​ Will Smith | “Will 2K” (1999): A hip-hop song by American rapper and actor Will Smith, celebrating the turn of the millennium and the excitement of the year 2000, featuring a catchy beat and themes of celebration and optimism. ​ The New Age movement of the late 20th century represents a revival in the interest of occult and metaphysical ideas, with many of its practitioners very much into love, harmony, and personal transformation and healing. Explore the following works associated with the movement, and discuss with your team: do such messages still resonate today? ○​ Alice Coltrane | “Journey In Satchidananda” (1971): A spiritual jazz composition by pianist and harpist Alice Coltrane, blending elements of Indian music and jazz, inspired by her exploration of spirituality and the concept of Satchidananda, which represents truth, consciousness, and bliss. ○​ Vangelis | “To the Unknown Man” (1977): An instrumental piece by Greek composer Vangelis, characterized by its lush synthesizer sounds and emotive melodies, often interpreted as a tribute to the human spirit and the mysteries of existence. ○​ Kitaro | “Theme From Silk Road” (1980): A musical composition by Japanese artist Kitaro, known for its serene and atmospheric soundscapes, inspired by the historical Silk Road trade route, evoking a sense of journey and cultural exchange. ○​ Enya | “Caribbean Blue” (1991): A song by Irish singer-songwriter Enya, featuring her signature ethereal sound and layered vocals, creating a tranquil and dreamlike atmosphere, often associated with themes of nature and serenity. ○​ Enigma | “Return To Innocence” (1994): A song by the musical project Enigma, blending world music elements with electronic sounds, conveying themes of nostalgia, spirituality, and the journey back to a state of purity and innocence. If At First You Fall, Try, Try Again ​ Rasputin may be the most famous Russian monk, but he wasn’t the first to opine on geopolitical affairs. In the 16th century, his distant (and also lushly-bearded) predecessor Filofei proposed (in letters to a young prince named Vassilij) that Russia could be the third Rome. Consider what he meant then and what the implications of his suggestion might be today, then discuss with your team: could there be another Rome in our own era, and would it be good for the world if there were? Would Greenland be part of it? Be sure to explore the following concepts: ○​ Unipolarity vs. multipolarity: Unipolarity refers to a global power structure dominated by a single superpower, while multipolarity describes a system  where multiple states hold significant power and influence, leading to a more balanced distribution of power among various countries. ○​ Core vs. periphery: In world-systems theory, the core refers to economically developed countries that dominate global trade and finance, while the periphery consists of less developed nations that are often exploited for their resources and labor, creating an unequal economic relationship. ○​ Great vs. small powers: Great powers are countries with significant military, economic, and political influence on a global scale, while small powers are nations with limited influence, often relying on alliances and partnerships to enhance their security and international standing. ○​ Controlling vs. client state: A controlling state exerts significant influence or control over another state, often through direct governance or military presence, while a client state is a country that relies on a more powerful state for support, protection, or economic assistance, often maintaining a degree of autonomy. ○​ Soft vs. hard power: Soft power refers to the ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion, often through culture, values, and diplomacy, while hard power involves the use of coercion, military force, or economic sanctions to achieve political goals. ○​ Foreign assistance: Financial or material support provided by one country to another, often aimed at promoting economic development, humanitarian aid, or political stability, and can take various forms, including grants, loans, and technical assistance. ​ Rome isn’t the only empire that keeps popping back up. Like certain movie franchises, a great empire can only fall once, but it can be revived—usually unsuccessfully—many times. Study the history of second chances at imperial grandeur. What were they trying to emulate or continue, and how close did they come to succeeding? Did any last longer than the regimes they sought to restart? ○​ Neo-Assyrian Empire: An ancient empire that existed from the 10th to the 7th centuries BCE, known for its military prowess, extensive territorial expansion, and significant contributions to art, architecture, and administration in the ancient Near East. ○​ Song Dynasty: A Chinese dynasty that ruled from 960 to 1279 CE, recognized for its advancements in technology, culture, and economics, including the development of printing, gunpowder, and a flourishing of arts and literature. ○​ Byzantine Empire: The continuation of the Roman Empire in the eastern Mediterranean, existing from approximately 330 to 1453 CE, known for its rich  cultural heritage, Orthodox Christianity, and significant contributions to art, law, and architecture. ○​ Carolingian Empire: A Frankish empire established by Charlemagne in the 8th and 9th centuries CE, known for its efforts to unite much of Western Europe under Christian rule and for the Carolingian Renaissance, a revival of art and learning. ○​ Ottonian dynasty: A German royal dynasty that ruled from the 10th to the 11th centuries CE, known for its consolidation of power in the Holy Roman Empire and its promotion of the arts and culture, particularly during the reign of Otto I. ○​ Meiji Restoration: A period of rapid modernization and industrialization in Japan that began in 1868, marked by the restoration of imperial rule under Emperor Meiji, leading to significant political, social, and economic changes in the country. ○​ Neo-Sovietism: A term used to describe the revival or continuation of Soviet-era policies, ideologies, or practices in post-Soviet states, often associated with a resurgence of nationalism and state control in the region. ○​ Bibliotheca Alexandrina: A modern library and cultural center in Alexandria, Egypt, established in 2002 as a tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria, aiming to promote knowledge, culture, and education through various programs and resources. ​ In Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, the great Galactic Empire is falling. Thirty thousand years of darkness and ruin await—even Palpatine couldn’t have lived that long—until a man who can predict the future using math comes up with a weird plan: a colony of librarians who, if left alone on the fringe of the known universe to write a great encyclopedia, could shorten the Dark Ages to a “mere” thousand years. Discuss with your team: would librarians be a good choice of profession for those entrusted to restart a great civilization? If not librarians, then who? And how much do you think math—and big data—can and should be used to predict the future? ​ Sometime in 2025, a dead airline will return to the skies. A private company is planning to de-extinct the once-legendary airline brand Pan Am for some very expensive charter flights, with hints of bringing it back in a bigger fashion down the line. And, speaking of fashion, Pan Am has already been revived as a South Korean clothing brand. Consider the examples below of other companies (or brand names) that have surged back from the dead. To what degree have they succeeded, and have they addressed the issues that led their earlier incarnations to fail in the first place? Then, discuss with your team: what derelict brands or companies would you want to reignite?  ○​ RCA: The Radio Corporation of America, founded in 1919, was a major American electronics company known for its contributions to radio and television technology, as well as for producing records and developing the first color television system. ○​ Westinghouse: An American company founded in 1886 by George Westinghouse, known for its innovations in electrical engineering, including the development of alternating current (AC) power systems, as well as its involvement in the manufacturing of appliances, nuclear power, and broadcasting. ○​ Polaroid: A company founded by Edwin Land in 1937, famous for its instant photography technology, which allowed users to take and develop photographs on the spot, revolutionizing the way people captured and shared images. ○​ RadioShack: An American retail chain founded in 1921, known for selling electronics, components, and accessories, as well as providing services related to technology and telecommunications, though it faced significant challenges in the 21st century leading to store closures. ○​ Nokia: A Finnish telecommunications and consumer electronics company founded in 1865, originally known for its rubber and paper products, it became a major player in the mobile phone industry in the late 20th century, known for its durable and user-friendly devices. ○​ Sansui: A Japanese electronics company founded in 1947, known for its high-quality audio equipment, including amplifiers, receivers, and speakers, as well as its contributions to the home audio and video markets. ○​ Eastern Air Lines: A major American airline that operated from 1926 until 1991, known for its extensive domestic and international routes, as well as its role in the development of commercial aviation in the United States. ​ Could 3.5 inch floppy discs be next? (They would certainly make good coasters.) From audio cassettes to instant cameras, many vintage technologies are enjoying a resurgence today, often driven by viral online trends that celebrate their limitations. Discuss with your team: why do some products and brands become popular again after gathering dust for so long? When do you prefer something older and (technically) worse to something newer and (technically) better? ○​ Disposable cameras: Simple, single-use cameras designed for taking photographs without the need for developing or processing film, typically featuring a fixed lens and limited settings, allowing users to capture images and then return the camera for development.  ○​ Handheld gaming devices: Portable electronic devices designed for playing video games, often featuring built-in screens, controls, and battery power, allowing users to play games on the go, with examples including the Nintendo Game Boy and Sony PlayStation Portable. ○​ Vinyl: A type of plastic material used for making records, known for its warm sound quality and durability, which has seen a resurgence in popularity among music enthusiasts and collectors in recent years. ○​ Film: A medium used for capturing images in photography and cinematography, consisting of a light-sensitive material that records visual information when exposed to light, traditionally used in cameras before the rise of digital photography. ○​ Shortwave radio: A type of radio communication that uses shortwave frequencies to transmit signals over long distances, often used for international broadcasting, amateur radio, and emergency communication due to its ability to bounce off the ionosphere. ○​ AM radio: Amplitude modulation radio, a broadcasting technology that varies the amplitude of the radio signal to transmit audio, commonly used for talk radio, news, and music, particularly in the medium wave frequency range. ○​ Pager: A small electronic device used for receiving short messages or alerts, commonly used before the widespread adoption of mobile phones, allowing users to be notified of calls or messages when they were away from a phone. ○​ Magnetic tape storage: A method of storing data on magnetic tape, commonly used for audio and video recording, as well as data backup and archival purposes, known for its high capacity and cost-effectiveness in storing large amounts of information. ○​ Physical media: Tangible formats for storing and distributing content, such as CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, and cassette tapes, as opposed to digital formats, which are stored electronically and accessed via devices like computers and smartphones. ​ De-extinction isn’t just for passenger pigeons, bankrupt brand names, and outdated technologies. Artistic and musical can be brought back, sometimes unsuccessfully—and sometimes, perhaps, too successfully. Discuss with your team: is it true that old music is killing new music