The antidote to apathy

This TED Talk by Dave Meslin exposes seven parts of the the Social Matrix that create barriers to active participation, and challenges us to dismantle these barriers.

• City Hall - Intentional Exclusion via Communications


• Public Space - Price tag for freedom of expression, no unprofitable speech


• Media - Distraction and Diversion, Discourages Engagement via neglect


• Heroes - Chosen Heroes, voluntary, inglorious, collective, imperfect, uninvited


• Political Parties - Uninspiring, uncreative, regurgitating, uncreative, exclusive


• Charitable Status - no advocacy, no politics


• Elections - Votes don't count

If people are selfish, stupid, and lazy, then there is no hope. Perhaps if we dismantle these obstacles; create transparency, open public dialog, re-imagine media, expect everyone to be heroic, create inclusive political parties, redefine charities, and reform elections; perhaps then people will be more selfless, intelligent, and engaged.

National Conference for Media Reform 2011

Please check out the NCMR 2011, and prepare for the future of Media in San Diego. You can watch the live feed here...

The Primary Dealer Credit Facility

The Primary Dealer Credit Facility - according to CNN Money and ProPublica, the total extent of this UNDISCLOSED Federal Reserve 'Emergency' (no-interest) Loan program between May 2008 & 2009, was $9-Trillion, and although $7-trillion of the PRINCIPAL has been 'repaid', this represents an increase in the money supply of ~$90-T. Meaning the US$ is worth 1/3 less today than in '08. Has your salary, home equity, or the value of investments risen by 33% in the last three years? If so, you are a winner of this game. Also, the Banks gave bonuses as a result of this 'increase' in capital and lend the money to corporations at interest, creating debt of nothing, and that expense is passed on to the consumer as a cost of business. If they had failed to pay back these 'loans' the US Taxpayer would have been responsible, via an increase in US National Debt. (so much for pocket change of the $700-B TARP, and $800-B 'Stimulus') http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/01/news/economy/fed_reserve_data_release/index.htm http://projects.propublica.org/tables/treasury-facilities-loans

Appropriate Energy Lab

"Any electrical engineer who was educated before 1999 thinks renewable energy is a cute bit-player, on the side" ... but every place that takes renewable energy seriously finds that it is very easy and cost effective to invest and develop. "The (electric) GRID should be the 'EBAY' where you buy and sell power. Almost every incentive we have is for dirty power. The 'California Energy Crisis', 2001, was all about benefiting dirty power over renewable alternatives, and finding that we had a mess as a result." - Daniel Kammen, Director of UC Berkley Renewable and Appropriate Energy Lab - Renewable Energy and Economies of Scale 2006

From FORA.tv

Republicans Try To Destroy Net-Neutrality, again...

US House of Representatives subcommittee has voted in favor of a resolution to throw out the US Federal Communications Commission's recently adopted net neutrality rules. The communications
subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 15-8 along party lines for a resolution of disapproval that would overturn the FCC's rules. The resolution would also prohibit the FCC from re-attempting to create similar net neutrality rules.  Read More...

Solutions: Salman Khan

I don't do this often, but this is a special case. When someone states the obvious truth, it cuts across all lines, and I must post it everywhere.

"If Issac Newton had done calculus videos on YouTube, I wouldn't have to. (assuming he was any good) - Salman Khan"

Why do good students fail in our public schools?
FLIP THE CLASSROOM!
Traditional Classroom Model penalizes you for experimentation and failure, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND THIS?". Kids COMPETE with each other, but does not expect mastery.
Assign the lectures as homework, and do the homework in the classroom.
Pause, work at your own pace. Stay on that bicycle, experiment, failure is OK. Reward success, don't penalize failure. Allow students to COOPERATE, and you will see that your 'slow' students are just as smart as the 'gifted' kids.
But expect mastery.

Watch this video twice.
Build a Global, One World Classroom.

The Doha Debates: This House believes the world is better off with Wikil...

Ever wonder why is it that Brits are willing to debate and Americans are not?

If Governments told the truth we would not need WikiLeaks.

Anyone who has secrets is doing something wrong. Truth is never wrong. What you do when no one is looking is the measure of your character. Let's debate that.