jan de man

Worth a new look

This is one of TED's most popular videos. I watch it once in a while. You should to. Especially if you have kids in school. And then ask yourself if you think your kids' schools are giving them the right education.

If you're up for more you can also check this clip on Dan Pink's blog.

//jan

Itay Talgam at TED Global - Perspectives on Leadership

I'm in awe over this presentation. What a gem!

//jan

Alan Webber in Stockholm Sep 30

If this hot news hasn't reached you I'd like to inform you that I'm involved in setting up a cool event with Alan Webber, author of Rules of Thumb, here in Stockholm on September 30.

The occasion is that Bookhouse Publishing is releasing the Swedish translation called Tumregler. There will be a launch reception at 17.30 on Sep 30, but the big event is the leadership seminar at 15.00 - 17.30.

Just follow this link to Bookhouse's web site for more information and to reserve a space at the events.

Alan is also in Stockholm on Oct 1. Please let me know if you'd like to book him for other events on that day.

//jan

Tom Wujec with some awesome visuals of the brain

I saw a presentation by Tom at the VizThink conference in San Jose in February that was really good. This bit from TED is roughly 6 minutes but gives you a glimpse of the awesome visuals of the brain he uses.

//jan

Next book and a podcast

I'm well into book #3 now - The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. Was intrigued by the title and so far it has been quite interesting. Will report when I'm through reading.

Also have a podcast on Timothy Ferris' The 4-Hour Work Week I'll be listening to. My friend Paul gave me the tip on that one.

//jan

Peter Senge on sustainability

Paul Holmström pointed me to this article. Peter Senge has always been a wise thinker and in this article he is interviewed on sustainability. It is a long read so make sure you have a little time. I pulled out this bit as a flavor of what he says:

On another level, it’s [sustainability] just a bad word. It’s technically what we would call a “negative vision.” We don’t want the unsustainable, we don’t want civilization to collapse, we don’t want the human species to fail. Well, of course we don’t want that, but those images don’t move people. “Survival” is not the most inspiring vision. It motivates out of fear, but it only motivates for as long as people feel the issues are pressing on them. Soon as the fear recedes, so does the motivation.

What we’re talking about is arguably the greatest challenge to innovation that humankind has ever faced: reinventing our whole way of living. And every single example I know of where something meaningful has happened, where people have worked at something that’s taken five years, 10 years, 15 years, it’s because of people’s excitement toward something that really draws them. It’s aspirational.

//jan

Reflections on Home

I've now spent the full 1 hour and 33 minutes to see Home. If you haven't I urge you to (it was supposed to close June 14, but seems open still). It is a remarkably beautiful film with a really grim message. A message we don't seem to be taking seriously enough...

Nothing in itself in the film was new to me, I believe I have a fairly good grip on what challenges the planet and us humans face. The impact of the film has to do with the whole story coming together at once. 

Personally I'm once again struck by my relative inaction regarding this matter. Most people are probably concerned about the situation and believe they can't make a difference. I happen to think that things can be done, and that we should try. But I honestly don't think I'm trying hard enough.

I refuse to participate in a Titanic like charade; "we're sinking, might as well enjoy the ride to the bottom". I refuse not to take responsibility for coming generations - my kids, our kids.

We all have to rise above ourselves in this. And one thing comes out bloody clear. If humanity survives this mess, it'll be because we managed to change our life style pretty damn quick.

/jan

World Future Council - coolest org on Earth?

This Dot Earth article caught my eye. I love the ambition of having us humans think of ourselves as interdependent on all life on Earth - and that the now living have a responsibility towards future generations. This sounds fairly obvious, but one could say we have long way to go...

So, when I in the same article found out about The World Future Council I checked their web site and discovered:

A. I've successfully avoided hearing about this organization for 5 years

B. This is a massively and ambitious and important and totally awesome initiative

C. It was founded by activist Swede Jakob von Uexküll, a man I admire very much

I'll definitely be following the work of WFC and hope they are very very successful. They have already inspired me to more strongly do what I can to move things in the directions they are advocating.

//jan

Are cul-de-sacs Earth's biggest threat?

A great little film. Both content and design with visuals.

//jan

Not all business schools are the same

Thunderbird School of Global Management has an awesome oath of honor:

As a Thunderbird and a global citizen, I promise:
I will strive to act with honesty and integrity, 
I will respect the rights and dignity of all people,
I will strive to create sustainable prosperity worldwide,
I will oppose all forms of corruption and exploitation, and
I will take responsibility for my actions.
As I hold true to these principles, it is my hope that I may enjoy an honorable 

reputation and peace of conscience.

This pledge I make freely and upon my honor.

//jan