InfoCompanions » Inspiring http://www.infocompanions.com Brain spasms of an enthusiast who loves to live at the intersection of business, innovation, process and technology Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:41:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Kevin Stone: The bio-future of joint replacement http://www.infocompanions.com/kevin-stone-the-bio-future-of-joint-replacement/ http://www.infocompanions.com/kevin-stone-the-bio-future-of-joint-replacement/#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:41:36 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=586 Arthritis and injury grind down millions of joints, but few get the best remedy — real biological tissue. Kevin Stone shows a treatment that could sidestep the high costs and donor shortfall of human-to-human transplants with a novel use of animal tissue.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/kevin-stone-the-bio-future-of-joint-replacement/feed/ 0 Julian Assange: Why The World Needs WikiLeaks http://www.infocompanions.com/julian-assange-why-the-world-needs-wikileaks/ http://www.infocompanions.com/julian-assange-why-the-world-needs-wikileaks/#comments Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:45:12 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=588 The controversial website WikiLeaks collects and posts highly classified documents and video. Founder Julian Assange, who’s reportedly being sought for questioning by US authorities, talks to TED’s Chris Anderson about how the site operates, what it has accomplished — and what drives him. The interview includes graphic footage of a recent US airstrike in Baghdad.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/julian-assange-why-the-world-needs-wikileaks/feed/ 0 Laurie Santos: How monkeys mirror human irrationality http://www.infocompanions.com/laurie-santos-how-monkeys-mirror-human-irrationality/ http://www.infocompanions.com/laurie-santos-how-monkeys-mirror-human-irrationality/#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:34:23 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=577 Why do we make irrational decisions so predictably? Laurie Santos looks for the roots of human irrationality by watching the way our primate relatives make decisions. A clever series of experiments in “monkeynomics” shows that some of the silly choices we make, monkeys make too.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/laurie-santos-how-monkeys-mirror-human-irrationality/feed/ 0 Lewis Pugh’s mind-shifting Mt. Everest swim http://www.infocompanions.com/lewis-pughs-mind-shifting-mt-everest-swim/ http://www.infocompanions.com/lewis-pughs-mind-shifting-mt-everest-swim/#comments Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:55:58 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=570 After he swam the North Pole, Lewis Pugh vowed never to take another cold-water dip. Then, he heard of Mt. Everest’s Lake Imja — a body of water at an altitude of 5,300 meters, entirely created by recent glacial melting — and began a journey that would teach him a radical new way to approach both swimming and think about climate change.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/lewis-pughs-mind-shifting-mt-everest-swim/feed/ 1 Legos for grownups http://www.infocompanions.com/legos-for-grownups/ http://www.infocompanions.com/legos-for-grownups/#comments Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:51:52 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=568 Lego blocks: playtime mainstay for industrious kids, obsession for many (ahem!) mature adults. Hillel Cooperman takes us on a trip through the beloved bricks’ colorful, sometimes oddball grownup subculture, featuring CAD, open-source robotics and a little adult behavior.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/legos-for-grownups/feed/ 0 The politics of fiction http://www.infocompanions.com/the-politics-of-fiction/ http://www.infocompanions.com/the-politics-of-fiction/#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:49:37 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=566 Listening to stories widens the imagination; telling them lets us leap over cultural walls, embrace different experiences, feel what others feel. Elif Shafak builds on this simple idea to argue that fiction can overcome identity politics.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/the-politics-of-fiction/feed/ 0 The Art of Choosing http://www.infocompanions.com/the-art-of-choosing/ http://www.infocompanions.com/the-art-of-choosing/#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:47:36 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=563 Sheena Iyengar studies how we make choices — and how we feel about the choices we make. At TEDGlobal, she talks about both trivial choices (Coke v. Pepsi) and profound ones, and shares her groundbreaking research that has uncovered some surprising attitudes about our decisions.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/the-art-of-choosing/feed/ 0 Java 4-Ever Trailer – Nerds Know Humor! http://www.infocompanions.com/java-4-ever-trailer-nerds-know-humor/ http://www.infocompanions.com/java-4-ever-trailer-nerds-know-humor/#comments Sat, 26 Jun 2010 21:59:55 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=558 Ha! Check out this incredibly funny video called “Java 4-ever”. The age old saga of the battle between Java and .NET… with musical references that remind you of American Beauty and Requiem for a Dream. A must watch. Who said nerds ain’t funny!!

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/java-4-ever-trailer-nerds-know-humor/feed/ 0 Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action http://www.infocompanions.com/simon-sinek-how-great-leaders-inspire-action/ http://www.infocompanions.com/simon-sinek-how-great-leaders-inspire-action/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 17:20:28 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=541 Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?” His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers — and as a counterpoint Tivo, which (until a recent court victory that tripled its stock price) appeared to be struggling.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/simon-sinek-how-great-leaders-inspire-action/feed/ 1 Elizabeth Pisani: Sex, drugs and HIV – let’s get rational http://www.infocompanions.com/elizabeth-pisani-sex-drugs-and-hiv-lets-get-rational/ http://www.infocompanions.com/elizabeth-pisani-sex-drugs-and-hiv-lets-get-rational/#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:49:12 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=538 Armed with bracing logic, wit and her “public-health nerd” glasses, Elizabeth Pisani reveals the myriad of inconsistencies in today’s political systems that prevent our dollars from effectively fighting the spread of HIV. Her research with at-risk populations — from junkies in prison to sex workers on the street in Cambodia — demonstrates the sometimes counter-intuitive measures that could stall the spread of this devastating disease.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/elizabeth-pisani-sex-drugs-and-hiv-lets-get-rational/feed/ 0 Dean Kamen: The emotion behind invention http://www.infocompanions.com/dean-kamen-the-emotion-behind-invention/ http://www.infocompanions.com/dean-kamen-the-emotion-behind-invention/#comments Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:39:33 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=528 Soldiers who’ve lost limbs in service face a daily struggle unimaginable to most of us. At TEDMED, Dean Kamen talks about the profound people and stories that motivated his work to give parts of their lives back with his design for a remarkable prosthetic arm.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/dean-kamen-the-emotion-behind-invention/feed/ 0 Technology Made Personal http://www.infocompanions.com/technology-made-personal/ http://www.infocompanions.com/technology-made-personal/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:34:34 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=526 Check out this cool Google search ad. Love how it makes technology feel “personal” and such an integral part of our life.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/technology-made-personal/feed/ 0 Richard St. John: “Success is a continuous journey” http://www.infocompanions.com/richard-st-john-success-is-a-continuous-journey/ http://www.infocompanions.com/richard-st-john-success-is-a-continuous-journey/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:41:38 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=524 In his typically candid style, . John reminds us that success is not a one-way street, but a constant journey. He uses the story of his business’ rise and fall to illustrate a valuable lesson — when we stop trying, we fail.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/richard-st-john-success-is-a-continuous-journey/feed/ 0 Rob Hopkins: Transition to a world without oil http://www.infocompanions.com/rob-hopkins-transition-to-a-world-without-oil/ http://www.infocompanions.com/rob-hopkins-transition-to-a-world-without-oil/#comments Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:28:39 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=522 Rob Hopkins reminds us that the oil our world depends on is steadily running out. He proposes a unique solution to this problem — the Transition response, where we prepare ourselves for life without oil and sacrifice our luxuries to build systems and communities that are completely independent of fossil fuels.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/rob-hopkins-transition-to-a-world-without-oil/feed/ 0 Ian Goldin: Navigating our global future http://www.infocompanions.com/ian-goldin-navigating-our-global-future/ http://www.infocompanions.com/ian-goldin-navigating-our-global-future/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:06:05 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=510 As globalization and technological advances bring us hurtling towards a new integrated future, Ian Goldin warns that not all people may benefit equally. But, he says, if we can recognize this danger, we might yet realize the possibility of improved life for everyone.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/ian-goldin-navigating-our-global-future/feed/ 0 Becky Blanton: The year I was homeless http://www.infocompanions.com/becky-blanton-the-year-i-was-homeless/ http://www.infocompanions.com/becky-blanton-the-year-i-was-homeless/#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:01:38 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=493 Becky Blanton planned to live in her van for a year and see the country, but when depression set in and her freelance job ended, her camping trip turned into homelessness. In this intimate talk, she describes her experience of becoming one of America’s working homeless.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/becky-blanton-the-year-i-was-homeless/feed/ 0 BMW GINA Light Visionary Model http://www.infocompanions.com/bmw-gina-light-visionary-model/ http://www.infocompanions.com/bmw-gina-light-visionary-model/#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:36:05 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=425 Am not a great fan of  “concept cars”, but BMW Gina deserves special attention for completely rethinking out of the box. Check out the cool premiere video below, where Chris Bangle, Director of Design, BMW Group, describes the thought process that went behind this cool pair of wheels. No wonder GM and Ford are struggling just to survive.

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Simon Whatley has some interesting pics. Also check out TechFresh.net for related pics.

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/bmw-gina-light-visionary-model/feed/ 0 Kwame Anthony Appiah and Golden Nugget Theory http://www.infocompanions.com/kwame-anthony-appiah-and-golden-nugget-theory/ http://www.infocompanions.com/kwame-anthony-appiah-and-golden-nugget-theory/#comments Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:58:20 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=387 Kwame Anthony Appiah was born in London, raised in Kumasi, Ghana, and educated at Bryanston School and Clare College, Cambridge, where he earned a Ph.D. in philosophy. A world traveler immersed in everything from ethics to racial identity, he has written often about Africans and African-Americans and has set his fiction in England and Italy.

In this video, takes to task the myths of Western culture and civilization, explaining the “Golden Nugget” theory and its five major errors. Get ready for his deconstruction of a monolith.

Also check out his article in “The Washington Post” titles, “If You Think Your Taxes Are Unjust, Just Think Again”. Chris Navin has a cool review from one of his NY Times articles… check it out at “Kwame Anthony Appiah In The NY Times: The New New Philosophy”

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/kwame-anthony-appiah-and-golden-nugget-theory/feed/ 0 Tibet – Technology Bridging the Divide http://www.infocompanions.com/tibet-technology-bridging-the-divide/ http://www.infocompanions.com/tibet-technology-bridging-the-divide/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 06:30:37 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=372 What are the first few words that come to your mind when you think of Tibet… spiritual and breathtakingly beautiful landscape? Disputed land? Watch Losang Rabgey share a “lesser known” side of Tibet, one where this ancient tribe of people want to participate in the new globalization as much as you or me. Those of you especially interested in stories where technology can act as a “bridge” to connect people and communities – this is a feast for the eyes and ears! Losang gives a brief demo of Tibetan Himalayan Digital Library, the first online gallery of contemporary Tibetan art, launched as part of the Machik, a non-profit organization working to develop new opportunities for education, capacity-building and innovation on the Tibetan plateau.

In Losang’s words, “ can flatten the world for local communities in disparate areas. These same people have other aspirations to be fully engaged in a globalized world but on their own terms as much as on the world’s terms. So if you would like to witness a small but ancient tribe of people move successfully past marginalization and into an empowered bright future, then I invite you to participate in a remarkable story that we hope has a sustainable future.”

Raised in Canada, Losang was recognized as an Emerging Explorer by the National Geographic for her innovative work in bridging cultural divides.

Connect with Losang on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Losang-Rabgey/549208134

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]]> http://www.infocompanions.com/tibet-technology-bridging-the-divide/feed/ 0 Architecture for Humanity http://www.infocompanions.com/architecture-for-humanity/ http://www.infocompanions.com/architecture-for-humanity/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 05:35:36 +0000 Himanshu Sharma http://www.infocompanions.com/?p=368 Neema Mgana is a social entrepreneur and was the youngest of 1000 women from around the world jointly nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. She has founded several community organizations like:

1. “Everyone’s Child” – Founded in 2000, “Everyone’s Child” is a community-based organization that provides education, health and other services to children infected by AIDS. Over 200 children receive these services on a daily basis in a community center that the organization built in 2003.

2. “African Regional Youth Initiative (ARYI)”: While a first-year graduate student in 2003, Neema founded this organization which works directly with over 400 community and youth organizations to jointly develop, implement, and evaluate community, national and regional strategies focusing on development issues in Africa.

3. “Forum for Global Action”: In an effort to foster innovative thinking on international development, she co-founded the Forum for Global Action in 2006. One of the focus areas of the forum is on women’s leadership that is being implemented in Africa, Asia, and South America.

4. “African Women of Distinction project”: A peace and justice project created in 2006, the project highlights the leadership role of women in Africa. In addition, it also works with over 180 young men and women in Africa to build and nurture their leadership skills through leadership trainings, mentorship and information and communication technology.

In this video, Neema shares the progress of her partnership with Cameron Sinclair’s “Architecture for Humanity” program. “Architecture for Humanity”, an organization that brings design, construction and development services to communities in need through a global network of building professionals. Neema has paired with  Cameron Sinclair to initiate the building process. Together, they’re creating a community-based health center in the rural Singida region of Tanzania.

Connect with Neema on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Neema-Mgana/683867208

 

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