We Stopped Dreaming About Tomorrow
It amazes me what human beings can accomplished when they’re united by a shared vision. Sometimes we need an external motivation to accomplish the impossible. Some of the greatest achievements have occurred as a result and the video below questions whether we are moving away from such great innovations. What do you think?
Don’t Think Different, Think About Different Things
We want everyone in our organization to “think different.” But what does that mean? Does it mean that we want them to think creatively? Out of the box? What happens when all that creative thinking is focused on the wrong problem? I read an interesting article in HBR, one that challenges the way we problem solve and focuses not so much on thinking different but thinking about different things. Here are some things that jumped out to me.
Dyson (the vacuum manufacturer) set out to invent a more effective vacuum cleaner. He noticed that vacuums lose suction as the bag fills, because the pores in the bag get clogged. Most people who tried to fix this issue in the past attempted to solve the “bag problem” by crafting a more effective vacuum cleaner bag.
Instead, Dyson realized a vacuum takes in a combination of dust and air and needs to separate the dust from the air.
Once he thought about the problem in this way, he was able to recall his own knowledge about the industrial cyclones used in sawmills. Industrial cyclones use centrifugal force to separate particles from air rather than a filter. He then designed a small industrial cyclone into a vacuum and created a highly successful business.
To solve the problem, Dyson focused on its essence.
Framing the problem this way led to a more innovative solution for the Dyson company. Check out full article here.
via Don’t Think Different, Think About Different Things – Art Markman – Harvard Business Review.
Video: A Networked Society
Very interesting video about urbanization and the role technology is playing in cities around the world. A must watch.
Apple to announce tools, platform to “digitally destroy” textbook publishing
The technology to completely challenge the way textbooks are handle in universities has always been here. It’s the business model that’s scared so many away. An article today gives us reason to believe Apple is going to stir it up again. I love it.
“MacInnis sees Apple as possibly up-ending the traditional print publishing model for the low-end, where basic information has for many years remained locked behind high textbook prices. Apple can “kick up dust with the education market,” which could then create visibility for platforms like Inkling. These platforms could then serve as a sort of professional Logic-type tool for interactive textbook creation to complement Apples “GarageBand for e-books.”
via Apple to announce tools, platform to “digitally destroy” textbook publishing.
Innovation Series: Chances With Wolves
The Innovation Series feature creatives that are exploring new ways to share their passion with the world.
10 years ago if you had a beloved music collection of rare jazz recordings and wanted to share it with the world, it would be practically impossible to do so. The internet and social technology is changing that by giving creatives a platform to share their work with the world and discover new work. Among the many who have embraced technology as a platform, is a trio call Chances With Wolves. They produce an online independent radio show that exists “to present overlooked hauntingly beautiful music” says one of it’s founders.
So much music gets produced and released and then subsequently overlooked…
They’re passionate about finding familiar songs that have been put in new contexts and share them with the world but with over 125 radio shows under their belt ,how do they keep the station’s content fresh?
You’re never going to hear all the amazing music there is to hear. Ever. I’m talking about old records, I’m not even talking about the fact that they keep making new ones. I keep thinking it’s going to end and it doesn’t. I like that.
There is a lesson here, a niche like “hauntingly beautiful music” may seem like an extremely narrow one with a tiny collection of music and a community of followers to match, but on a global scale this niche can represent millions of songs and people. That is what is often overlooked, underestimated and disregarded. It’s not exactly the “gold rush,” but for those who have something worth sharing and looking to build a community around that, it’s never been easier. Hey, you never know, you might make a few bucks doing so too!
