You know — things are really move fast…
You know — things are really move fast… And it’s ok to be a bit overwhelmed some times. View this email in your browser
This week NYC beat Silicon Valley and Miami to take the crown as cryptocurrency capital of the US in 2021. The city attracted an incredible $6.5 billion in crypto startup funding last year, which is 46% of all US fundraising in the space. unfortunately, the announcement was slightly overshadowed by the return of the EARN IT Act in Congress, with some industry analysts warning it could be a backdoor attack on encryption and hurt LGBT communities.
In geekier news, an MIT team has developed 3D-printed tags to classify and store data on physical objects. Tech Leaders also discussed the impacts that 5G, blockchain, Robots, and AR will have on the future of work. However, the good news is that businesses are more prepared for unexpected disruptions this time around.
For those of you desperately trying to make sense of a new reality — noted techno-philosopher and NYU Prof David J. Chalmers, took us on a mind-bending journey through virtual worlds, and his new book Reality+. Is he really in fact Neo from the Matrix? You’ll have to tune in to find out.
Finally, our friend Clay Shirky, the vice provost for educational technologies at NYU, takes a deep dive into higher education’s (continual) transformation. These are just a few examples of how technology will continue to define the next decade for all the right reasons. But what excites you about the future?
As always, we welcome your thoughts, feedback, or suggestions Steve@NYCMediaLab.org
Steven Rosenbaum
Executive Director
The NYC Media Lab
Must-Read
New York Beat Silicon Valley and Miami in 2021 as the Crypto Capital of the US With the Most Startup Funds Raised
New York City Mayor Eric Adams made no secret of wanting to transform New York into a crypto hub. Many will also remember he even vowed to convert his first three paychecks into crypto. But this week, his vision appeared to be coming to life with news that The Big Apple attracted $6.5 billion in crypto startup funding last year. With 46% of the total raised in the US, New York secured a victory over Silicon Valley and Miami.
Business Insider/ 1 min read
America’s EARN IT Act Attacking Section 230 Is Back — And Once Again Threatening the Internet, Critics Say
The EARN IT ACT, which stands for Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act, removes the liability protection afforded to internet services under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in the context of CSAM. But the legislation has divided tech communities.
Critics argue that relaxing end-to-end encryption standards will only benefit the bad guys. But, unfortunately, we often take how it protects how we bank, shop, and communicate for granted. But, if we zoom out, encryption also protects hospitals, schools, airports, and water treatment facilities. So, for these reasons alone, creating a backdoor would be foolish at best.
The Register/ 4 min read
Tech + Media
Invisible Machine-Readable Labels That Identify and Track Objects
Every digital file, such as photographs and songs, will contain essential information embedded into the file. These everyday online occurrences
inspired an MIT team to develop 3D-printed tags to classify and store data on physical objects.
The InfraredTags aim to replace barcodes that can be removed or become otherwise unreadable over time. By contrast, they are invisible and embedded within the interior of objects fabricated on standard 3D printers. This spring, the concept will be presented at the ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in New Orleans, but remember where you heard about them first.
MIT News/ 4 min read
Tech Leaders on 5G, Robots, and the Future of Work
Every business is challenged with keeping the hybrid workforce secure while attracting and retaining technical talent. There is also the added concern of implementing emerging technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain, 5G, and robots. Not to mention grappling with the fact that the use of smartphones, tablets, sensors, and drones used by employees has almost doubled since 2020.
However, The Impact of Technology in 2022 and Beyond: An IEEE Global Study suggests that organizations are more prepared for unexpected disruptions, and many are taking a proactive approach beyond building a new future for work. Some leaders are exploring how smart building technologies can benefit sustainability and decarbonization while also meeting energy savings goals which are rapidly becoming a priority at their organization.
IEEE Spectrum/ 3 min read
Metaverse Mortgages Are Being Issued to Buy Virtual Land — And One of the First Ever Was Just Signed for a Property in Decentraland
Some have argued that the Metaverse land rush is just an illusion. But TerraZero Technologies recently announced that they had facilitated one of the first-ever “metaverse mortgages” for a client buying virtual property in the Ethereum-based metaverse platform Decentraland. Will mortgages and financing availability expedite the development and adoption of the metaverse? Let us know what you think about the future of this thriving economy.
Business Insider/ 1 min read
What We’re Watching
David J. Chalmers Provides a Compelling Analysis of our Technological Future
A leading philosopher takes a mind-bending journey through virtual worlds, illuminating the nature of reality and our place within it. But, of course, virtual reality is genuine reality; that’s the central thesis of Reality+. Then, in a highly original work of “technophilosophy,” David J. Chalmers shares a compelling analysis of our technological future.
Contrary to popular opinion, Chalmers argues that virtual worlds are not second-class worlds and that we can live a meaningful life in virtual reality. Finally, Chalmers conducts a grand tour of big ideas in philosophy and science. In this must-watch video, he shares his mind-bending analysis and advises how virtual reality technology offers a new perspective on long-established philosophical questions.
nycmedialab YouTube/ 1 hour, 2 min watch
What We’re Listening To
In Machines We Trust — MIT Technology Review
The In Machines We Trust Podcast has recently released a five-part series about the ransomware epidemic called the Extortion Economy. The hosts explore a new-age iteration of the old-age extortion problem. A ransomware vigilante, a piracy (as in actual boats) expert, a school administrator, and a kidnapping victim share their experiences.
Spotify/ 22 min listen
Virtual Events & Jobs
NEW ROLE — NYC Media Lab, Director of Membership.
We have an amazing new role as we continue to grow in 2022. We’re hiring for a Director of Membership, and if you know someone who would be great, please ask them to check out www.NYCMediaLab.org/Jobs — or maybe it’s you! Reach out to learn more.
Product Lifecycles & Why They Matter
Wednesday, February 09, 2022
This session will cover the complexities of working with products across the physical & software arena. Learn how ideas and concepts become a reality, how a PM works cross-functionally with multiple teams to keep a project flowing & how a PM continues to iterate & improve upon products after they’ve made it to consumers’ hands.
What Is Web3 & Why Should You Care?
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Explore what Web3 is, how it’s changing the internet, & bridging the gap between Web2 & Web3. There will be host sessions & Q+A’s with experts & investors who are at the forefront of building & investing in the next wave of the web. All attendees will also be entered to win free tickets to SG Global 22 — taking place April 12- 13th in Redwood City & worldwide.
APIs Are Products Too
Thursday, February 10, 2022
This session will cover the complexities of working with products across the physical & software arena. The hosts will be covering how ideas & concepts become a reality, how a PM works cross-functionally with multiple teams to keep a project flowing & how a PM continues to iterate & improve upon products after they’ve made it to consumers hands.
A Deeper Look
Will Online Learning Lead to College Closures? Clay Shirky Says It’s Complicated.
What does the future of higher education look like? Our good friend, Clay Shirky, the vice provost for educational technologies at New York University, started a newsletter last year called “The (Continual) Transformation of Higher Ed.” It dares to tackle the many complex forces acting on higher ed these days — highlighting some of the ways that true transformation is happening.
Shirky warns that nobody can think clearly about what the technology enables or which direction the technology is moving without understanding that some major macro forces are going on here.
We need to remember that they are the platform where the technology is implemented, not the other way around. Food for thought, indeed.
EdSurge/ 4mn read
Read More Today’s newsletter written in partnership with Neil C. Hughes, the Tech Blogger and host of Tech Talks Daily
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