Community Mobilization

Thomas Barnett and the C-Bomb

Thomas Barnett gave an amazing presentation at Pop!Tech and I saw that Boing Boing had this link to a Barnett presentation. I want to consider the least-known weapon in the American arsenal - the Culture Bomb.  Thomas Barnett knows the power of the C-bomb and how it can codify an enemy and create a cultural divide that drives the divide between us and them further.

The sad thing is that we are not in control of the C-bomb.  Its effects are slow and seeping.  In Turkey Barbie dolls were rejected, in India McDonald's offering of beef patties were shunned, and France has declared the SUV an American blight destine to ruin the roads of Europe which should be kept out at all costs.  Western democratic culture embraces  amazing ideals such as equality, sovereignty, and individual choice.  I am not quite sure that commercialism, excess, and gluttony aren't the ideals that we are actually exporting.  How in the world will fast food promote equality amongst the world's population?

Our corporate lust for global profits is taking its toll on our security by creating a cultural divide.  We should be celebrating the unique aspects of every culture instead of forcing square pegs into round holes.  Not everyone wants the life we have, and my new years resolution is to do a better job respecting that!

My Fiance Called me Carrie Bradshaw

While on Vacation my Fiance insinuated that I was just like Carrie Bradshaw from 'Sex in the City' as I wrote my blog posting. I resented it because I fell I put marginally relevant information on my blog.  She was actually referring to the authorship of publicly accessible information similar to a column in a newspaper.  I reconsidered my objections and thanked her for the compliment.  I asked if I should consider adding dating advice and shoe reviews on the blog and she laughed.  I figure the market is probably saturated with those topics already anyway.

Second Life as Therapy

Amazing article from Boing Boing that tracks back to the official Second Life Blog.

Slow Food Revolution - Blame McDonald's for Everything!

Robin Kline predicts in a Foodchannel.com trendwire article that there will be a 'Slow Food Revolution' in 2005.  The culinary experts forecast that more families will spend more time preparing and consuming their meals together.  There are clear positive side effects of spending more time with family that directly impact society.  Social work studies indicate that when parents are more involved and knowledgeable in their children's lives they socially normalize faster and more thoroughly. 

A rose colored extrapolation of the 'slow food revolution' could be lower crime rates, fewer high school dropouts, lower obesity rates and the ailments that coincide, a higher educated, prosperous, and more productive population, as well as a whole host of other societal enhancements.  I can't wait for the first lawsuit against McDonald's seeking retributions for damages caused by the unforeseen societal side effects of Fast Food!

Jerry Needs a better Keyhole

My friend and colleague Jerry Paffendorf was stuck in the ice storms last week and makes some a great post about the needs for more metadata overlaying our cities.  As futurists, we have some very different views about which will come first; Metadata overlay on the planet, or Virtual world interfaces that replace the need to go out of your house.  He makes a real strong case for his side of the argument.

Flash Animation on ESPN?

Last night while watching Sports Center (11:00 edition) I saw a crazy Flash commercial.  I laughed when I saw it and explained to my Fiance why, and then showed her the End of The World video.  The Add was in the same style and I am certain that some marketing genius at ESPN recruited whoever penned the hilarious flash short  and convinced them to make a commercial.  I will update if / when I see it again.  If anyone else saw, please post a comment!

Oh Little Town of Telluride

On Christmas eve me, my fiance and the whole of the Jewish population of the little mountain town of Telluride gathered for Friday evening Sabbath Services.  It was an eclectic mix of townies and visitors in for the ski season.  The whole experience gave me insight into the meaning of Community.  Community is something that needs to be cultivated.  Here in Telluride the Jewish community is fostered by its members, and welcomes in guests even if only for a night.  Similarly it is most often up to community members, and that is valuable lesson contrary to a common American misconception that 'it is not my responsibility'.  Furthermore it was apparent that it does not take money and extensive resources to foster community growth, all it takes is time, desire and dedication.

11,852 feet

Funny things happen to stuff at 11,852 feet above sea level.  Here in Telluride sun screen that was packed at sea-level pop open and squirt all over the bathroom.  Gnocchi cooks faster, and there is this some funny dizziness that sets in after you climb a set of stairs.  Vacation in Telluride is going well and being unwired (for the most part) is really really nice!

Smart Conference Name Tags

Got a great note from John Malone of the KM Cluster about RFID / Bluetooth conference badges that allow ad-hoc networking with other people.  It is neat being able to capture and retain the data of the people that you met while at a conference, or being alerted to the impending presence of someone you just have to meet!  The technology seems rather straightforward and I wonder if, as we move towards greater adoption of RFIDs, you will be able to do this with the person you sit next to on the train, or the girl you meet at the reception. 

My question is how much data can we really keep up with / process.  The 'Dunbar Number' suggests that we can handle about 150 social contacts more or less.  If technology like this permeates society will we evolve to handle more contacts,  will we become overloaded and abandon the pursuit of contacts, or will we begin to more accurately define our relationships in order to preserve our sanity?

Here are a few links to some of the technologies.
NTag    Charmedbadge    Spotme

Open Soucrce Latkes

This Spring I wrote about the open source Passover Hagadah project that essentially allowed Jews of all practices to self assemble their own Hagadah. Now I am please to share with you open-source Chanukah Latkes … well not exactly open-source but a really good recipe from Liz.  The recipe is free, what more do you want?  Modify and share it with others right?!