SK Creates

In 2023 we saw the Rise of Generative AI, and Recession bells ringing.

In 2024 expect to see more questions around AI, including its backing, Energy resources, Cars, and Wellness/Longevity focuses. Below are 10 areas to look out for.

1) Autonomous Vehicles will be evaluated more

I saw my first one last month In San Francisco, and was mesmerized. A Waymo Jaguar I – pace electric. With hundreds of billions of dollars poured into the focus already, the debate and further battle will be about regulation/safety control. 2024 will make or break them.

2) The Sleep industry

From wearable devices that track the quality and quantity of your slumber to mattress covers equipped with sensors that adjust your bed’s temperature throughout the night to give an ideal night’s rest. Expect a growing industry next year. The sleep industry is expected to reach a net worth of 585 Billion dollars.

3) Growth at all costs economy

GDP won’t be everything evaluated. Community, creativity, nature and hope for the future, will all come into evaluation/ greater awareness.

Two indicators, The OECD Better Life Index and Genuine Progress Indicator  are around now as measurements to what we really want our economies to deliver, putting profit in its place as a means to better health and education.

4) Living to 100 Less rare.

Right now there are 500,000 ppl who are 100 or older, in 25 years it could be 3.5 million people, the UN estimates. (In America– currently 104,000 people are over 100 years old. (Japan, South Korea, and France, also lead the way) Geriatrics will to lead the way in being more of a medical discipline.

5) AI, but what about its energy?

2023 was the year generative artificial intelligence surged. But as a result, the energy to supply it will need to be thought up of more constructively.  LinkedIn is even considering nuclear power to satisfy its AI power needs. A data scientist and Ph.D. candidate in Amsterdam, discovered that the energy used to power AI around the world is comparable to the entire energy consumption of the Netherlands.

6) We will see AI-powered “synthetic patients

We will see AI acting in the control arm in clinical trials. Participants who receive a placebo or the current standard of care — not being human, generated by an algorithm that has sifted through the medical records of a broad and diverse patient population in order to take a place in clinical trials.

7) Countries will start to get real on Population Decline.

People all around the world are having less kids. If you aren’t well off financially, it’s extremely hard to make a decent living and start a family, and few signs are around that it is not going to get much easier.

8) The Balcony Power plant

By generating electricity from sunlight via balcony power plants, people can produce their own climate-friendly energy. Building more popularity in Germany, they are easy to set up and relatively inexpensive.

9) Creator Economy in Universities.

Expect schools to begin to educate on not only teach students about the business side of the influencer space (personal brand, sponsorship) – but also on the  necessary creativity and style for those who wish to be in front of the camera, and production. The creator economy is expected to be valued at half a trillion dollars in 2027, and schools are now listening.

10 ) Australia & EV vehicles.

Expect Australia to begin becoming a plyer in EV vehicles.. And compete with the likes of China, Japan, and the U.S. Australia is well positioned with the second largest lithium ore reserves in the world. Also holding cooper, and cobalt reserves that go into battery production.

Source:

Continue reading “What to Look out for in 2024”

Stability is everything… it is a feeling of empowerment that allows you to produce from a state of calmness. Having stability, is a refuge. It’s a word that carries a sense of reliability and endurance.

At its core, stability embodies a state of equilibrium. It’s the steady rhythm in the chaos, the calm in the hectic. Be it through financial stability.. which is of course one of the cornerstones to a secure life, providing a sense of assurance and freedom. Coming to the surface in managing resources effectively, & fostering a sense of confidence and control over one’s financial future. Emotional Stability also.. which really lays the foundation for mental resilience. It holds the ability to navigate ones emotions with composure, and not be swept away by them.

4 ways to help nurture stability–

Establish Healthy Habits: Create Routines for predictability and control. Through ones health, occupation, or relationships, creating positive patterns maximizes stability.

Build Resilience: Resilience is nurtured through experiences that challenge us, allowing and showing us the way to adapt and grow stronger in the face of obstacles.

Enable Supportive Relationships: Grounded relationships act as a safety net during difficult times. Commit in nurturing connections that bring forth a sense of belonging and peace.

Cultivate Self Awareness: Understanding oneself is key to stability. Acknowledging strengths and weaknesses helps in making informed decision making effectively.

In a world brought forth by constant change, stability is not being receptive to change- but rather about rooting ourselves amidst it. Embracing stability doesn’t mean we are staying stagnant.. rather, it encourages us to advance along ones journey while remaining grounded in values and core beliefs.

At its core, stability isn’t a destination but a journey.. a journey that collides with our quest in advancement, leads towards fulfillment, and provides peace. It’s a journey that allows us to flow in life with flexibility, emerging stronger and more at ease with each day that passes.

A privilege, and one that we often forget. Living here in the West we can lose the notion of what the abundance of opportunity looks like for most of us in front of our eyes. What I look to set the emphasis here in this post is to be mindful of all that is had here in the West, and consider the unequal distribution spread of chances throughout the world.. as a means to taking action in support of paying a helping hand. Let’s set the framework:

Agriculturally..rich, and abundant, with food resources, that can stretch upon years and years reserved. Infrastructure– safe, secure, and modern.. from roads to building structures and residential households.. the framework and foundation for living & working are set. When safety, food, and basic needs are met, the space for opportunities enters. Which amply exist… from Education to the Job market, to Entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, for some second and most third-world nations, it is about ‘survival’ rather than having opportunities.

Let us take the second largest mass continent of the world – Africa, as our reference today. With a mass area spreading out approximately 30.37 million square kilometers, it is home to more than 1.3 billion people. Of that whole land mass, only 22% (according to the United Nations) is land that is actually fertile for agricultural farming. Putting that into perspective the Southeastern part of the United States covers 24% of the land mass. Imagine less than the total region being available for farming… This consequently, puts the majority of the population at a disadvantage. With the effort needed to feed its people, there is less room for advancing business, innovation, & technology, and so forth. To take it a step up.. According to the World Bank, As of 2021, only 43% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population has access to electricity, and only 28% of the population has access to basic sanitation facilities. In relation to transportation, many countries in Africa consist of inadequate road networks, which significantly limits trade and economic growth.

You may call to be in such an advanced system of living/Way of Life in the West, compared to others as luck, good fortune, serendipity, or just a plain blessing. However, it should not stop there. If the means are necessary which for 300 million people in the United States they should be (middle class and above), we should greatly consider paying forward our circumstances and good fortunes in aid of those who simply got a tougher draw of the cards. Opportunity should not discriminate.

With Easter wrapping up, i look back at what God gave up, and ‘sacrificed’ for His people in the Crucifixion. For those that celebrate Easter, I am certain seeing Sacrifice is replicated as the same understanding. As well as Furthermore, practiced by some, during the 40 Days of Lent, leading to the Easter holiday. With the season being past us, i look back & reflect on what I gave up, and think about how the time instilled greater discipline, & resilience against the easy road traveled. Do what is easy.. do not grow. Do what is challenging.. evolve.

Sacrifice has been around for ages, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated virtues in our modern society. At its core form, sacrifice means giving up something of value for the sake of something greater. It requires us to step outside of our own comfort zones and to think about the greater good, rather than just our own individual needs and desires. The rewards? Many, and those who are willing to make sacrifices often find that their efforts are repaid many times over.

One of the most famous examples of sacrifice comes in another biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, which my friend Gabriel reminded me of this past weekend.. and stuck with.

In this story, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac as a test of his faith. Abraham is willing to do so, but at the last minute, God stops him and provides a ram for the sacrifice instead. This story has been interpreted in many different ways over the years, but at its core, it is a powerful example of the lengths that some people are willing to go to in order to show their devotion to a higher power.

Of course, sacrifice doesn’t always have to be religious in nature. Many of the most profound acts of sacrifice are carried out by ordinary people who simply want to make a difference in the world.

Ultimately, sacrifice is a deeply personal choice. It is something that we all have the ability to do, but it requires a certain level of bravery, strength, and belief in oneself. When we make sacrifices, we are not just giving up something of value; we are also demonstrating our commitment to something greater than ourselves. In the act, we can lift others to do the same.

Sacrifice is a powerful and often overlooked virtue that has the potential to be your biggest ally toward healthy habits and further successful traits. Whether it is a small personal sacrifice or a large-scale sacrifice that affects entire communities, the act of giving up something for the greater good is a profound expression of courage.

Holding onto past regrets & mistakes, will hurt & weigh us down, preventing us from moving forward in our respective journeys. Bringing up past events, and occurrences make it challenging to focus on the moment, and have proactive thinking for the future. The solution?

-Knowing we are not defined by our circumstances, or what has occurred to us.

-Adapting by acknowledging and learning from the past, while being flexible and open-minded in establishing a new approach to further situations.

Our past experiences, including our mistakes, provide valuable teachings & insights that guide us in our respective journeys. By reflecting on our past actions and outcomes, we can identify areas for improvement and avoid falling victim to similar faults. Our past experiences that didn’t pan out the way we would have wished, can build us with the priceless X-factor of resilience. We are also more than capable of developing a growth mindset and viewing challenges faced as opportunities for greater growth.

In being flexible in our approach to new situations, we can recognize that where we failed in the past, simply came to teach us a lesson. By being open-minded, creative, and trying new workarounds, we will adapt to changing circumstances and seize new opportunities.

Even though the past can be a powerful force in our lives. Memories of past times, can shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. While it’s natural to be influenced by the past, it’s pivotal not to get caught up or put off by it.

We are not defined by our past experiences, no matter how significant they may be. While the past can influence our ideas & behaviors, we need to be mindful in that our reaction is what leads us to become better versions of ourselves. We architect our future, not history.

What occurred is done, & served its time, and purpose. By focusing too much on it, we risk missing out on the opportunities and chances in front of us, as one of the only constants around.. TIME- continues moving along, minding its only business.. ticking, ignorant of our sentiments. We are more than questioning the What Ifs and lamenting on the Should Have Beens. We are capable, and need to be focusing on capturing what is now, and lays ahead.

I first came across the term Blue Zones a few years back, when my interest in the realm of biohacking began (post to come). My attention was again recently peaked furthermore, after listing to Founder Dan Buttener speak more on the concept he coined.

Blue Zones are cities in the world that have been given a label.. that label — you guessed it a ‘Blue Zone’. These few cities are where the length of longevity stretches the longest in the population.. & for good reason. One may ask, & i know that i did..what are the classifications in order to get this label. A label that has a waiting list of 60+ & likely counting cities waiting to become added to the 5 that sit at the helm.

(In no particular order) Loma Linda, Ca, U.S. Nicoya, Costa Rica. Ikaria, Greece. Sardinia, Italy. Okinawa, Japan.

Dan B. back in 1999 set off on an exhibition, with the help of National Geographic, demographers, anthropologists, and scientists to uncover the world’s longest-living populations and the similarities between the people that comprised the cities.

Each city to qualify had to rank in the top percentages of a population of over 100 years old. Additionally, particular Diets, (Mediterranean) (lean protein, healthy carbs, alkaline organic fruits and vegetables, spring water) as examples, to being accessibly around. Community belonging activities/programs, as well as Family alignment, were also part of a classification. Research has shown time and time over, that tight-knit social communities pave the way to exponential amounts of health benefits. Another measure, and although together to quantify, the amount of sleep time/bed rest at 7-8 hours on an average.

Below, i list a few footnotes, if interest has been peaked into diving in deeper into some more healthier habits included, as well as a Newsletter, further articles, and overall hearing more about Dan B, and his journey to the world of Blue Zones!

The Blue Zones: Lifestyle Habits of the World’s Longest-Living Populations

Blue Zones—Live Better, Longer

Adversities, DIfficulties, Frustrations, Struggles. We all have them. Maybe you are dealing with a fair share now. I know I have a few, but nothing to hide away from. Something can always be bettered, no? They can’t be avoided. But they can be seen in a more favorable outlook– Such as broken down & voiced as Challenges. Opportunities to be creative, to grow resilience. We cannot afford to succumb to our lackings but rather must believe in our ability to act under pressure, & stay calm. Our beliefs must be bigger than our problems.

I think it is fair to say, that one of the largest drivers of change and travel is seeking curiosity. Along the journey curiosity acts like a spice of sorts, so that one can come to learn more about their world, and themselves for that matter. We have heard the ‘travel bug’ or ‘catching flights not feels’ (no sappy hopeless romantic post here on people traveling b/c love has not played its way out trust me.. ) But, Rather a post, on 4 friends of mine, who caught me to expand on the thrill of curiosity.

I recently came back from a trip to New York City. In which i was able to get together with 4 good friends of mine, who to say the least are well traveled. We all went to high school together and they have since spread their wings. Zak moved to the UK, and earlier this year spent some time in Africa. He was visiting NY, and headed to Texas before I departed. James now lives in NY, but was in Australia & New Zealand, for some years after college. Mace was in South America a week ago, and is as mobile as they come.. he’s out West some days, when he is not planning trips to Thailand, and back and forth from ATL to NY, to the point where Delta should be looking to lock him out of his AMEX rewards card. Alexandria, as well is set in NY, but has left her footprints in India, and when Italy and France create appetite she jumps on some wings and heads over. What all of them have in common is they are enthusiastically curious. They cannot stay in the same place for too long, they seek adventure, & complacency is really like the plague, and they do not entertain it.

Life experience goes further than IQ, net worth, looks, and so forth. We do not have all the answers, but we can catch furthering our understanding of ourselves, and the world through being curious into what is out there, and going. Doing so with being open-ended, and keeping an objective outlook, and staying inquisitive.

I came across a recent story shared at a Finding Meaning at Work seminar that media company Quartz hosted, on a conversation that JFK, had with a janitor at the NASA Space Center back in the 60’s in Houston. The story caught my attention..for those that know me, know I feel strongly about John F. Kennedy, and the consideration, value, and respect I have for him. In the early 60s President Kennedy effectively charted NASA’s course for the rest of history with his famous speech before Congress to encourage America in the space race, and send the first American to the Moon. In any event, for those that have not heard the story.

On a visit in 1962 to the Space Center to check out how operations were being held and as the approach to sending the first man in the western world inched closer- JFK noticed a Janitor and struck up a conversation, asking how he was doing? This Janitor at The Houston Space Center response alludes to very a healthy perspective to have, & insinuates a strong commitment to ones worth, & fulfillment in ones contribution. He proceeded to respond:

“Mr. President, I could not be better. WE are going to the moon.”

To most everyone, this Janitor was just cleaning the building. However, in the larger picture developing around him, the Janitor was playing his part in towards the making of History. For worse, we live in a world where riches, and notoriety are what people perceive to matter the most. We assume the people who have the most money or status are the happiest. Yet, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

As the Janitor, demonstrated everyone can be fulfilled, as long as ones importance and contribution is never downplayed, no matter how removed from ‘fame or status’. It does not matter. We all have a important part to play in the journey of life, and it just can’t be taken for granted.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/jfk-janitor-bill-green

https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2014/12/what-a-nasa-janitor-can-teach-us.html#:~:text=During%20a%20visit%20to%20the%20NASA%20space%20center,%22I%27m%20helping%20put%20a%20man%20on%20the%20moon.%22