The other week, I was asked to review a scientific article, providing a topic explanation all the way from high-level concepts to the latest cutting-edge research. As is often the case with these things, it became quite technical by the end, with plenty of references, footnotes, and citations crediting information gathered from elsewhere.

Outside the topic itself, the arc of the explanation was also interesting. It followed an inverted pyramid shape—starting with general, well-known concepts, before delving deeply into specific topics.

The nature of the references also changed. For high-level, established concepts, the information could easily be found in newspaper articles; for more detailed ideas, in specialist press and textbooks; and for cutting-edge research, you are wading through pre-print papers.

The Rising Cost of Knowledge

This is, of course, what you would expect. However, what struck me was how dramatically the amount of time needed to find and extract the required information increased.

The generally known and accepted information was easy to access and digest, often available for free online. By the time you get to the more complex and specific details, however, you are sifting through a large volume of documentation—much of it not specifically relevant—just to uncover that nugget of knowledge you’re looking for.

As things get more advanced, the cost of gaining knowledge rises… dramatically. This holds true for workplace best practices too.

Most of us are striving to improve our processes, become more effective, or simply more efficient. We’re looking for that edge that can make a real difference in our lives.

There is no shortage of ideas out there: newspaper articles, industry trade sites, news feeds, webinars, events, conferences, and countless opportunities for discussion.

Yet, just as in science, as you get closer to cutting-edge best practices, more time and effort are required to find those new ideas. You may need to attend an entire day of a conference to stumble across that one transformative idea or unique insight. Or meet countless people before finding that one opportunity or role you’re looking for. These discoveries may not happen immediately, perhaps on the third or fourth attempt, it’s rarely a linear process it seems.

Why Exploration Matters

Especially when we are under pressure, these exploratory activities can feel like a waste of time or money. You may hear comments like, “Why would I attend? Most of the information is the same,” or, “It’s too busy to fit into my diary.”

However, just as in science, the simple fact is that all these activities increase your surface area of interaction, which in turn raises the probability of finding that transformational nugget, idea, potential future sale, or indeed, a new role.

So, it may not feel like these efforts add much at first, but the probabilities add up and the act of searching is intrinsic to finding that value.

Far from being activities you can skip, these are essential if you want to access cutting-edge ideas. To avoid them is to resign yourself to thinking like everyone else, following the herd, and operate at an average level.

So, that is my resolution for 2025: to get out there and explore even more new topics, hopefully discovering fresh ideas. I’ll, of course, share what I find, and you’re more than welcome to follow along… although what would be even better is to see you there in person!

Have a great week, everyone.

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[oh and if all this talk of event horizons makes you think of black holes, check out this video simulation from NASA of what you would see if you fell into one – link . Attending events is much safer btw!]

After New Year, but before that first Monday back at work, we enter a twilight zone. There is nothing more to celebrate… the mince pies, still stacked high, are on sale… and it can be easy to be just kicking around the house.

For many, of course, this is a great time to get out, head to the January sales, do jobs at home or even dare I say some DIY.

Others are happy to get the jump on work, head in and start work early… you can always tell those that do by the way, they are the ones that don’t start their emails ‘Happy New Year’ next week… no they are not grumpy, they just did it already!

Then for some, it is a good time to trawl through the myriad of predictions for the year ahead, even come up with some of our own too. (I do quite enjoy these I have to admit). So here goes.

• Nostradamus is quite the soothsayer. Popular yes.. although let’s be honest not exactly a bundle of cheer. However apparently even he has something to say for 2025… more global conflict… however maybe some medical breakthroughs?
• Advancements in robotics and AI. Certainly, there has been some interesting posts around humanoid robots more recently…
• Agentic AI. Lots of talk on this one already. Is this AI turning the corner, getting up and out of the lab (or data centre) to help us in our tasks?
• Use of AI for better energy management. An optimistic one this. Can we use some of these new techniques to use less energy… matching production to demand?
• AI-Powered Cyber Attacks. There is good and bad with AI I suppose. We need to remember that AI will continue to add capability to everyone… so everything can become more sophisticated, unfortunately also cyber attacks.
• AI chips to dominate and make a new most profitable company… from the wonderful Saxo bank outrageous predictions.
• Starship operational but more competition for SpaceX. This will be interesting to watch, esp what could have with increased/cheaper access to space.
• Wicked to win the best picture Oscar… I really have not much to add on this, I thought Perfect Days was a great film last year… never that close really.
• and of course… top baby names Mila and Ezra.

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Is all this real insight or just a large example of groupthink? Both indeed may be true and still fun to think about… so here are a couple of less-than-outlandish predictions for 2025 from my perspective.

1. We are going to hear a lot less about AI. This is already true, I have already stopped trying to talking about it so much… although have failed here. The reality is it is being accepted and already getting rolled into products and process, some places we don’t even notice, it is not going anywhere, we are just going to hear about it less. No doubt we will be exploring use cases a lot.
2. The call for more regulation, more oversight and more control will get louder. With great technology comes extra capability flexibility vs control split is going to get ever harder to navigate. We need to be ready and stay ahead. Evidencing, data and reporting will be top of mind.
3. 2025 is the year the rubber hits the road on Consumer Duty in the UK. Yes, I know it is already launched, but it feels like we will see much more regulator activity and action this year. This is going to generate a lot of discussion (and activity I suspect).
4. Economic outlook... not wanting to sound like Nostradamus on this one, but not great. My view prepare for a storm, and if it doesn’t happen you can laugh about it… if it does you are ready. We know what to do here, but time to take action.
5. Lastly I am optimistic however around medical advances… this would be great too, so will be watch this space.

That’s it I think… all the best for 2025, lets see how it all plays out.