thoughts

Did you ever invent with boxes and leftovers when you were younger? We’ll I certainly did and this video documenting 9 year old Cain certainly brought me back to those days, but back in those days, there was no Youtube, or internet….but if there was…something like the video above might have just happened.

After watching in  the delightful rather cheery video, go check out CainsArcade website, and help them raise money and others like Cain for future education. (they already have close to 200k!)

My favorite gathering is happening in beautiful Monterey CA next week at a magical gathering known as The EG Conference April 12-14.
If you take a peek at past and this years eclectic presenters, you’ll be as amused and curious as I am every year to attend this brain safari of wonder.
If your attending, please let me know, or pass this post around to friends that might be interested.

As a special extension to EG this year, they are offering the entire live web-stream of the event for $200, but they are also offering me a special link for friends at half price! Yup, $100 for a few days of live, provoking, entertaining, talks.

To get a hold of this special gift, go here and  learn more about EG Everywhere! You get to see all the spectacular talks live for $100 vs the $4000 ticket price!  Sign up, call your friends up, have a 2-3 day Salon at your house with food and drinks, and get inspired! Then perhaps decide if you can attend the actual conference to experience the rest of the magic!

In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.


You know that saying that about Wine needing some time to “breathe”, or letting it get some air. Well it is true, and you can either open the bottle many hours earlier, pour it into a large glass decanter, or into one of those gadgets that add bubbles to your glass as you pour which result in a gargling sound. But did you also know the fastest and most efficient way is sticking a hand blender into that classy looking glass of wine, or as Tim calls it, “beating the sh*t out of it”?

It might not look that appealing but boiling it down to scientific terms, you want more of the wine surface to touch air…and the blender does just that. Anyhow, read or watch the post via Tim Ferris who learned about this through Nathan Myhrvold at tims post… otherwise i’ll mirror it after the jump.

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Sheila Nirenberg:
“Decoding sight: Neuroscientist Nirenberg is developing a non-surgical and vastly improved artificial retina strategy that deciphers neural cell codes, potentially reversing some types of blindness.”

This was by far the highlight for me at TEDmed 2011. This can pave the way for the blind to see again, or even the ability for us to see behind our backs, etc… This is a technology an development to watch out for in the upcoming years! What would you do if you could use this technology?

via tedmed


My favorite conference (which is from a list of many) is coming up again April 12-14 2012. This breath-taking conference is the EG Conference (Entertainment Gathering) that gathers in beautiful Monterey CA. I’d be able to write a entire book about why this is the most fascinating gathering I have been to in 10 years, but in simple words, come experience an eclectic gathering filled with mystery, surprise, emotion, connections, and entertainment for a few days in beautiful Monterey…. you will leave imagining the entire world differently, with a different perspective, and a twinkle in your eye again for curiosity, to perhaps create magic.
Come join, this year will be my 4th in a row.  Let me know if you can make it and I’ll be sure to connect. Tickets are almost sold out.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


For those unfamiliar with SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act), you must read and dig into this crazy Act that can and will pretty much screw up any freedom and innovation like Google, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Reddit, etc if it happens. Please sign up to petition against it HERE. Learn more about it from the video above from Chris Hayes.

Over the summer,  at my first FooCamp, I was asked “What does Education mean to you” by the amazing team over at Vittana which you should look into.

I knew Education was incredibly important in my life and one of my thoughts made it into the Vimeo video above (with some other awesome individuals), but I thought this would be a good time to reflecte into this question a bit more for the holiday break.

What does Education mean to me?

Education is the opportunity to learn from the world and discover myself to share with others.
Education gives me the ability to breath, to grow, to be curious, to be wrong, and at times be right.
Without Education, I’d never learn, I’d  never try, I’d never know myself, nor would I  even question if I were wrong or right.
Education enables life.
Education is what makes us human.

If you have some thoughts on What does Education mean to you, drop a note over to the team at Vittana… I’m sure they would appreciate it.

A must watch video…who knew playing it safe could actually be the dangerous decision. Aspirin and salt would not be approved to this day. How would life be without those?

Juan Enriquez discusses current regulatory hurdles to introducing new drugs, why aspirin would never make it to market today, and the hidden costs of missing out.”

via tedmed 


Some words of wisdom by the one and great Steve Jobs:

“When you grow up you tend to get told the world is the way it is and you’re life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family, have fun, save a little money.

That’s a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.

Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.”

via youtube