Unlearning 101

Unlearning Home Construction

One of the things I really enjoy about studying emerging technologies is that the field constantly challenges my thinking and forces me to think differently about the future. To this end, I invite you to read this article on a new “print-a-house” construction technology.

In the near future, it is possible that homes will be built in a few hours using automated fabrication techniques. Among other things, this means that the construction industry will need to “unlearn” its existing construction methods. It also suggests that “affordable” housing could become more than just a political platitude—it could become a political reality.

Unlearning May Be in Blowing in the Wind

Energy Daily has an insightful article about an intriguing new generation wind turbine developed by BroadStar Wind Systems. The new design, which can be viewed at the right, is unlike most wind turbines. It apparently, however, has some substantial advantages including the fact that it can be manufactured, transported, installed and maintained at a lower cost than conventional wind turbines.

As added benefits, it can reportedly produce power for less than $1/watt and, because it is substantially smaller than conventional turbines, it can "infill" existing wind farms for greater overall power generation. In other words, it makes more productive use of each acre of land.

Now, I'm not an engineer so I don't claim to know with certainty that this turbine doesn't have some drawbacks or limits, but there are other innovative designs for wind turbines as well, and I merely want to suggest that people in the wind power industry be open to the idea that they may need to unlearn what they "think" a wind turbine should look like.

BMW Unlearns

The German automaker BMW, in introducing its new "Light Visionary Model" prototype automobile -- which it dubs GINA (Geometry and Functions in "N" Adaption), writes this: "The key to affecting the development of tomorrow's mobility lies in our readiness to challenge what is established and in the ability to present new options." In short, BMW is unlearning.

I encourage you to watch the short video below. If you notice how doors and hoods no longer open so rigidly -- they gently fold and zip open -- and how the lights do open but they "blink" open (much like human eyes), I think you'll agree that the benefits of unlearning could give BMW a very distinct competitive advantage in the near future. I particularly like Chris Bangle's quote at the end of the video: "Context over dogma." Words to live by!

The Unlearning Vortex

Marcel Proust once said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” I was reminded to this quote yesterday after reading John Markoff's insightful article on Pax Scientific -- a company that has applied biomimicry to create new industrial designs for everything from aerospace designs to parts for air conditioners.

What is so interesting about the article is that Pax Scientific has found it difficult to find a market for its product and technology in spite of the fact that it can often demonstrate double-digit increases in product efficiency.

The problem is not the technology, rather it is users inability to unlearn their old ways of doing business. Because they think they "know" what an airplane or air conditioner part should look like, they are unwilling to consider models that do not conform to their pre-conceived ideas. In short, they can't "see" with new eyes.

Those companies, however, that can unlearn the fastest should be able to achieve a competitive advantage in the commercial marketplace.