19/08/2025
"By 2050, there will be quite a few people with brain-computer interfaces out there. And I think this could be a problem - because we may not know what is uploaded into their brains anymore and how this could unconsciously change their behaviour."
The most forward-looking strategic thinking I have seen in a long time around here.
Not a biotech conference. And not a technology or futurist's conference either.
No AI guru presenting.
Welcome to Day 2 at Outdoors Victoria - a conference on Outdoor Education.
Speaking: The Principal of a Ballarat High School.
Maybe I am not so out of my depths here after all.
He's following Jacinta Allan's opening, the state of Victoria's premier, who assured the audience that Outdoor Education is a big and important industry in and for Victoria (in part as it is one of the few sectors creating jobs in rural areas). Her presence alone signifies that, had I known about this sector 25 years ago and made the decision to become a professional scout leader, this may have been as good as - or better? - career choice in Victoria than in biotechnology.
After all, the National AusBiotech Conference last year was just important enough to receive opening words by the Victorian Minister for Jobs and Industry…
Well, great start to the day; I already regret not having had the time to attend both days.
The day passes quickly, beginning almost like a Company Directors course—a workshop on Risk Management (in fact, there are three on that day alone), followed by an interesting chat with an insurance provider.
A walk through the exhibitor area also revealed a diverse mix of the industry. Outdoor Education providers, insurance brokers, risk consultants, gear manufacturers and suppliers created a lively and welcoming atmosphere. It is hard to walk past without having an interesting and sometimes surprising chat—stories of climbing that (apparently very hard to reach) peak, navigating deserts with just a sextant (leading a group of youth), exploring (apparently famous) caves, or paddling a kayak across whole oceans, alongside updates like "business is going well" (which seems rare at the moment) and “Discounts for your Scout group? Just drop me a line!” This community seems like a top bunch, and it looks like there are still plenty of adventures to be had in Australia. I am left with the impression, though, that landing the first Mercedes on Dirk Hartog Island (and driving it off again) doesn’t quite reach the level of adventure needed to earn “eye-level” yet.
The afternoon had something for everyone: from the more esoteric (or spiritual) side (from my point of view..) with Deep Listening to Nature, to a talk I stumbled upon on the Pirosapiens—a history of fire, to technology talks covering AI in the Outdoors, as well as Education (of course), a few (more) workshops on Risk Management and Communication and: Health.
Health generally seems to be a key message underpinning the sector’s value proposition.
That day passed by very quickly. And it was an Adventure (for me), that was well worth the time.
We submitted an abstract and delivered a presentation based on our experience with Youth Sailing over the years through Aurora Sailing. The presentation (and the decision to submit an abstract) resulted from our review of the last sailing season, which brought together our thoughts on potential research opportunities, a practical problem we faced (and am trying to solve), and the hope for an exchange of ideas and experiences on some of our challenges.