Technologies of the Future

I’ve been taking a social entrepreneurship course that meets weekly to discuss social innovations around the world. Today we discussed social ventures “homegrown” from Stanford University. A panel of four came to speak to us about their various social innovations and share the successes and difficulties they have faced. One panel member in particular, Matthew Callaghan, discussed OneBreath, an organization that was formed to combat the great number of deaths caused by lack of a ventilator and prepare developing nations for pandemics. The disposable, portable ventilator costs a mere $75.

It’s absolutely fascinating how such a simple innovation can transform the lives of people across the globe. What new pieces of technology will surface within the next few decades? Few years? Few months? The potential to better the lives of the suffering seems limitless.

For pressing, severe illnesses, it’s crucial that we dedicate time and energy to research and innovation. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, we’re about to crack that code and take great strides in preventing, if not curing, the disease. Exactly when we will reach that point remains uncertain; but the entire world is waiting impatiently…