Season 8, Post 26: Four fun things

Your author is back and hopefully refreshed from two weeks away in Türkiye. Some of the post-holiday glow wore off when confronted with an email inbox comprising over 1,000 unread messages. Trawling through them for novelty can often represent a triumph of optimism over experience, but below follow four varied vignettes which highlight how the future might develop.

1: The Summer of Ludd: Yes, you read that correctly. New York recently hosted an anti-technology festival. Named in honour of the Luddites, the 19th century English textile weavers who protested against automated machinery, the event’s organisers sought to capitalise on Gen-Z’s antipathy towards technology. Many in this cohort have grown up knowing nothing other than the iPhone. Now the backlash has begun, whether in the form of self-imposed reduced screen time or formal smartphone bans for youngsters. Our view: do not reject technology but use it thoughtfully; see it as an enabler.

2: Flying taxis: Long before Ned Ludd, humans have always been enchanted by the idea of flight. Farnborough’s biennial airshow finished on 21 July. Those who attended would have seen a swathe of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles displayed. Many are now close to the point of commercialisation with limited trials already underway in selected geographies. Accelerating technological developments, falling materials costs and supportive regulatory dynamics should see this future trend grow in importance. We will be publishing a detailed theme piece on this topic after the summer.

3: Self-driving cars: For those who prefer terra firma (and live in London), autonomous vehicles are becoming an increasingly common reality. Lyft announced earlier this week that it would start testing Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis in London as part of its Freenow service. This constitutes the third operator to run trials in the UK. We recently enjoyed a ride in a Wayve-controlled vehicle. Waymo’s cars have been spotted in London since the start of the year. We have previously discussed in detail how autonomous vehicles can save lives and improve efficiency.

4: Balcony solar: As much of the world swelters in record temperatures, why not try and make the most of it? One intriguing solution comes in the form of balcony solar. Over 10 states in the US now permit residents to hang a few panels off their property and send the power straight to their sockets. No need for rooftop solar, and cheaper electricity bills too. In Europe, solar has become the continent’s biggest source of electricity. Diversification of energy inputs, greater energy independence and more sustainable fuel sources represent a winning combination. Sunny times ahead.

30 July 2026

The above is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Any forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may change. The views expressed are solely those of the author at the time of writing. This article should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Past performance does not predict future returns, the value of investments and income from them can fall as well as rise.