highlighting the future's bizzare as it transforms into the present's mundane
Posts tagged change
Change of guards and a return to the old
May 14th
Lee Kwan Yew the architect of modern Singapore announced his retirement after holding top positions since 1959.
The longest lived democratically elected Communist government lost elections after 34 years of being in power in West Bengal, India.
The legacy of these long lived popularly elected governments could not be more different ! West Bengal went from one of the most progressive and economically strong states in India to one of the worst performing states in spite of being blessed with enormous natural & human resources. Singapore on the other hand went from being a tiny island nation with no resources and a difficult initial history to one of the most prosperous countries in the world.
One of the best music bands of all time (I spent countless hours listening) Pink Floyd reunites after ages !
Add in all the revolutions in mid-East and North Africa and 2011 is shaping up to be an interesting year 
Steve Woz on our closed source education system
May 14th
A very succinct message from Steve Woz on how our education system(s) kills creativity in its quest for a one size fits all approach to education…
This is so true all over the world… the waste of human potential is the greatest waste
Via EEtimes and DangerousPrototypes
Earth Day & Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot
Apr 23rd
This gives me goosebumps every time I watch it…. Happy Earth Day !
The Story of Electronics
Nov 13th
The Story of Electronics employs the Story of Stuff style to explore the high-tech revolution’s collateral damage—25 million tons of e-waste and counting, poisoned workers and a public left holding the bill. Host Annie Leonard takes viewers from the mines and factories where our gadgets begin to the horrific backyard recycling shops in China where many end up. The film concludes with a call for a green “race to the top” where designers compete to make long-lasting, toxic-free products that are fully and easily recyclable
TED goes to India
Sep 27th
TED | Michael Pritchard’s water filter turns filthy water drinkable
Aug 9th
Turn any water into drinking water… $20 billion can provide safe drinking water for the entire world… this would an ideal stimulus plan…. healthier people can improve their own lives and contribute to their and society’s development
TED on climate change
Dec 14th
TED has hosted a number of excellent speakers on the topic of climate change. However, I found 2 interesting almost opposite approaches to solving the issue.
In this talk, energy guru Amory Lovins lays out his plan for weaning the US off oil and revitalizing the economy in the process. It’s the subject of his book Winning the Oil Endgame, and he makes it sound fairly simple: On one hand, the deadly risks of continued dependency, and on the other, some win-win solutions.
Environmental scientist David Keith talks about a cheap, effective, shocking solution to climate change: What if we injected a huge cloud of ash into the atmosphere, to deflect sunlight and heat? As an emergency measure to slow a melting ice cap, it could work. Keith discusses why it’s a good idea, why it’s a terrible one — and who, despite the cost, might be tempted to use it.
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