Peace One Day Here's a beautiful story of how a single person can make a difference. Jeremy Gilley of the UK got worried about peace. There had never been a day in the history of the world that war was not active somewhere. He had the idea to have a cease-fire day. But Jeremy actually got the UN to make one - every September 21 - and it was a unanimous vote! But then nobody paid it any attention and so he continued to work at it. Amazing persistance and with a little help from his friends. And a few days ago in Afghanistan, on September 21 there was a cease fire day. And the Taliban leader sent out a letter to the whole country to not fight, and further to not interfere with UNESCO. For UNESCO had been unable to innoculate the kids of Afghanistan for polio for 30 years of war. And they innoculated a million and a half kids! And there was such a day a year ago as well. Shame on the media for not reporting this wonderful news.
Jeremy is a young filmmaker so he made a documentary about it. Got his ponytail cut off. Borrowed a suit and a tie and went off to see Kofi Annan. His website has 10 minute trailer. And the hour long documentary is available here on Youtube. One Day After Peace Inspiring. 81 minutes.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
TED: Ideas worth spreading
TED: Technology, Education, Design Again I find myself appreciating the TED talks as the single best internet source of science information. If you have little time, this site will give you the most in the least. They simply make free to the public, the videos of their many conferences. Their genius is they require their speakers to condense their presentations from the usual hour to 18 minutes. Over the near decade of their existence their excellence in topic and presenter has attracted more excellence - both in the conferences and in their sponsorship.
An even better way to enjoy TED than an on-line visit(above link), is to subscribe. MIRO - 5000 Free Web Video Magazines. Select those sources of interest to you - very well presented and easy. Then they simply come into your computer to be looked at when you have time. In addition they are usually High Definition. And unlike the on-line presentation, you can pick your way through it quickly like paging through a magazine to the parts of interest.
An even better way to enjoy TED than an on-line visit(above link), is to subscribe. MIRO - 5000 Free Web Video Magazines. Select those sources of interest to you - very well presented and easy. Then they simply come into your computer to be looked at when you have time. In addition they are usually High Definition. And unlike the on-line presentation, you can pick your way through it quickly like paging through a magazine to the parts of interest.
Ask Nature - the Biomimicry Design Portal
innovation inspired by nature Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate engineers. They have found what works, what is appropriate, and most importantly, what lasts here on Earth.
This website gathers and shares that innovation in the hope of sparking more efficient engineering.
It was introduced by Janine Benyus in her TED talk "Biomimicry in Action". The talk illustrates the principle excellently, with dozens of examples like nanotechnology, power and structure.
In the 1930's Buckminster Fuller credited his innovative engineering and architechture from adapting nature's design. Benyus and colleagues are carrying Fuller's torch.
This website gathers and shares that innovation in the hope of sparking more efficient engineering.
It was introduced by Janine Benyus in her TED talk "Biomimicry in Action". The talk illustrates the principle excellently, with dozens of examples like nanotechnology, power and structure.
In the 1930's Buckminster Fuller credited his innovative engineering and architechture from adapting nature's design. Benyus and colleagues are carrying Fuller's torch.
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