Category Archives: Influences and Inspirations

A Mathematician’s Lament: on education

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Karl

Paul Lockhart wrote an accessible read on what is wrong with math education and the popular perception of math that is reinforced in culture that has been shared on the Web in quite a few corners. It deserves a wider … Continue reading →

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Understanding the Maker Movement

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Karl

YouTube: Maker Faire: “The Long Slow Make: Understanding the Maker Movement”: “Anil Dash shares his observations and insights into the development of the Maker movement He sees it as a kind of political movement that is apolitical in nature but … Continue reading →

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A few thoughts on Steve Jobs stepping down as Apple’s CEO

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Karl

Apple is far more than the creation of one man. A casual scan of Folklore.org, a site focused on its history, will tell you that. But so would Steve Jobs. He’s created a culture at Apple that is going to … Continue reading →

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“Right Now”: On the present, being present, and practice (TEDXPhilly related)

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Karl

1. Breathe. 2. Remind yourself: Whatever you are doing – right now – you are practicing. 3. Remind yourself: Whatever you practice – you are improving, you are building, you are growing. 4. Ask yourself: Is this what you want … Continue reading →

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The Web is 20

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Karl

I’d like to say thank you to Tim Berners-Lee and all those who were part of making the Web happen. The original announcement (where? on Usenet of course!) W3C Design Issues for the World Wide Web World Wide Web Foundation … Continue reading →

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Joy bigger than the universe, and sorrow for a lifetime

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Karl

Absolute must read – Jennifer Lawler: “For Jessica”. The latest: “A vigil for Jessica”: Now, between the crisis and the catastrophe, you know you should lift a glass of champagne, but you have failed to lay in supplies yet again. … Continue reading →

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What is “Fast Fashion”, how it relates to big data, Facebook and us

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Karl

Speed. Data. Lack of security. Encouraged anxiety. What makes a self-identity? And… fashion, clothing retailers and social media. n+1 has an interesting read in: The Accidental Bricoleurs: …As the fast in fast fashion implies, the companies’ comparative advantage lies in … Continue reading →

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Be a Builder, not a Leader

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Karl

Read Umair Haque’s Builders’ Manifesto and get inspired. Screw that actually. Put it into action. Be it. Because the organizations we are part of need it to navigate the fast pace of change. Because our communities need us to act … Continue reading →

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Is – the universe – just bits of information?

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Karl

It is a fascinating question that led to some awesome lunchtime conversation the other day at work. Some more food for thought was recently written by Freeman Dyson in The New York Review of Books, who was reviewing James Gleick’s … Continue reading →

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Are you past, present, or future oriented?

Posted on June 13, 2010 by Karl

Our perspective of time drives how we perceive the now we live in and the decisions we make. Watch (it’s only 10 minutes) YouTube: “RSA Animate – The Secret Powers of Time by Professor Philip Zimbardo”: I can actually trace … Continue reading →

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