The author looks at the potential 'worldchanging' implications of three virtual reality technologies: Augmented Reality, Virtual Worlds, and Simulations.
WorldChanging.org has a lengthy interview with Chris Phoenix and Mike Treder of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, a non-profit group helping to make sure molecular manufacturing is developed as safely as possible. In the article they talk about their policy task force (which includes folks like Ray Kurzweil, David Brin, and Jaron Lanier), the risks and benefits of nanofactories, and why open source is so important to the responsible development of nanotechnology.
An update on "sonofusion", an experimental technique that has been able to produce a nuclear fusion event by pulsing sound waves through bubbles in a liquid. Key quote from article: "...what this discovery does do right now is provide us with a friendly reminder that we can't assume that all the tools we'll have for fighting global problems have already been invented."
An effort to develop cooperative seismic monitoring of the Indian Ocean to prevent a repeat of last year's Tsunami is being held up by Indian concerns that the data could reveal too much about their nuclear weapons testing program.
Excellent round-up and analysis of recent developments in wind-power and related technologies.