While playing with my Nexus S tonight, three words appeared at the top of the screen: “Weather is unknown.” I have a mobile app that spits out insignificant news stories and the weather. When it launches, the weather forecast pops up for a second. Usually, it’s “45 cool overnight, 66 tomorrow.” But, tonight, no one knew or bothered to check tomorrow’s weather. So…..”weather unknown.” Not surprising. Unlike Iowa, where unknown weather can kill a crop, most Californians don't pay much attention … [Read more...]
Young Kid–Birke Baehr–Wows TED Crowd About Food Supply
TED talks and videos, if you've seen them, bring incredible, brilliant minds to the world at no cost. I urge you to subscribe to email notifications of current, short videos, also available on iTunes. Birke Baehr, an eleven-year old kid, blew the crowd away speaking about organic vs. our mass-produced meat and other staples. Don't miss this six minute talk. It gives you hope that the young have much to teach us. … [Read more...]
Are Good Ideas that Solve Problems in Short Supply?
When was the last time you came up with a good idea? Not just a "good idea" but a mind-blowing idea that solved business or personal problems? I'm guessing, like the rest of us, you'd say "not recently." It's like remembering the last time you put a fresh box of baking soda in your fridge to remove odors. "Let's see, I think it was...2004." Dictionary.com defines an idea as "...something, such as a thought or conception, that... exists in the mind as a product of mental activity." Leonard … [Read more...]
Dictionaries for Kids at Hayward’s Park Elementary School
How many of you remember dictionaries when you were a kid? I'm not sure the year a dictionary and my eyeballs connected (probably early in my education), but I do remember the Webster's dictionary my Aunt and Uncle gave me as a high school gift--the most useful and lasting gift I've ever received. John Wilma, a rotarian who ran his own auto shop in Hayward, California, recently gave dictionaries to students at Hayward's Park Elementary School. The story is in today's Argus. Two events … [Read more...]
Newspapers Losing Readers With Irrelevant Content
Reading through this morning's San Jose Mercury News reinforced my belief that U.S. newspapers are contributing to their demise by printing stories that are, in many cases, irrelevant to the majority of readers. The word "relevant" has an interesting origin. The dictionary says it derives from medieval Latin in the 16th century meaning "raising up." Instead of "relevant" then, we might ask ourselves: "are newspapers raising us up?" Are they enlightening us about events and issues that might … [Read more...]
Improve Your Blog Writing with Aristotle and your Mom
Writing a personal blog and improving your blog writing is more art than science. A couple of past week's experiences convince me that if Aristotle were still alive he'd issue harsh criticism to bloggers. I recorded a podcast with one of the top execs at a mobile marketing company. My guest, during the 30 minute recording, was amazed I'd read one of his articles on the Web. He said he thought only his mother read the piece. After joking that I was his second reader, we finished the podcast … [Read more...]