The Fun Theory

What if we could change behavior for the better by making things fun to do?

That is the essential question that The Fun Theory, "an initiative of Volkswagen," asks.

And my response is: why didn't I think of this first!?! This could have major repercussions, if these things were actually implemented, and if Volkswagen follows up instead of just using it as some dumb publicity stunt.

I'll share one of the ideas they tried out, and let you check out the others for yourself:

A Glass Recycling Bank that doubles as a game where you can get a score--



How fun is that? I would be trying to find stuff to recycle all the live-long day if that was in my neighborhood or on Winthrop's campus!

Other ideas include Piano Stairs, the "World's Deepest" Trashcan, and I saw one person's suggestion for a sink that made colors flash across the screen as you washed your hands.

Do you think that fun can change people behavior?

What do you think we could get people to do by making it fun?

School Kills Creativity

It is astounding to me how nearly everyone thinks education is important, and most have education opinions based primarily on their own experience in school and a few random facts they've picked up from an article or random study or the like.

Not that this is wrong, just that it seems interesting that so many people "care," but not enough to really do something about it, beyond the occasional rally or protest or "get out the vote" campaign.

I'm not going to give you my ideas that I think will solve all issues. Even the video I'm about to introduce I don't think offers the end-all solution.

That being said, I think that what Sir Ken Robinson says is this video is really intriguing. Now, it is a 20 minute video, but I know you can stick it out, tiger.

Like he says: Where in the world can you find an education system that doesn't have a hierarchy of subjects with Math, Science, History at the top and the Arts at the bottom?

Oh, I forgot to mention that he is hilarious even through his serious subject matter.



So what do you think?

Do schools kill creativity?

How could we change this?

[Tip o' the Hat to Doug McAbee]

Brainy McJazz-Jazz

I don't know why I gave this post that title, because that title is absolutely ridiculous. So am I. I know why I gave this post that title now.

Moving on: I am still currently writing a paper in the library computer lab. Facebook Farmville girl left a long time ago, but I forgot to mention something: Pandora.

Because my iPod decided it didn't like me and wanted to sleep/die for a while, I started up an account and have been playing around listening to various instrumental stuff so I don't get distracted by the lyrics. Explosions in the Sky was my first hit, then some David Holmes (he did the Ocean's movies soundtracks, for those of you who don't know).

I finally, however, jumped over to the Jazz Genre station. It's pretty bangin'. Plus, I don't know what it is, but there is something about jazz music that makes my soul want to get up and move around--even--dare I say it--DANCE.

That, and it is incredibly stimulating for my brain. Before I switched to the Jazz station, I was averaging a few sentences per 10 minute period. Since switching, I wrote a whole 2 paragraphs in 15 minutes. Ballin', yo.

Fats Waller, Pee Wee Russell, Art Hodes, Louis Armstrong...all great stuff.

Does jazz stimulate you mentally or in your soul?

If not, what type of music or band or song does?

The Daily Me

Found this interesting article by Nicholas Kristof via The Curator:

When we go online, each of us is our own editor, our own gatekeeper. We select the kind of news and opinions that we care most about.

Nicholas Negroponte of M.I.T. has called this emerging news product The Daily Me. And if that’s the trend, God save us from ourselves.

That’s because there’s pretty good evidence that we generally don’t truly want good information — but rather information that confirms our prejudices. We may believe intellectually in the clash of opinions, but in practice we like to embed ourselves in the reassuring womb of an echo chamber.

I know it's dang easier to solidify your own opinion, and I'll be the first to admit that I do it a good bit...but when it comes right down to it, the best way to become a better more solid whatever you are is to hear the best daggum argument the other side has.