Posts with the tag innovation

Introduction On Aura Tout Vu

On Aura Tout Vu — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:36:05 EDT

Our Introduction and our team

André de Sà Pessoa – Born in Portugal. Graduated of fine Art School of Lisbon in 1989 – Jewellery master class.Than at FIT-Fashion Institute of Tecnologiy - New York in 1990.
Before joining on aura tout vu he worked as jeweller,and as cristal designer in Portugal and at Dome France. He created also hat collections.

Yassen Samouilov - Born is Bulgaria Graduated at Applied Arts School of Sofia in 1991 –Master class textile design and toys design.Than Fine Arts School of Versailles in 1994.
Before joining on aura tout vu he worked in consulting trends agency and develope accessories, ready to wear collections.

Livia Stoianova -Born in Bulgaria. Graduated at Fine Arts School of Sofia in 1992 – master class Graphic Arts.Than Fine Arts School of Paris in 1996
Before joining on aura tout vu in 1998 she present her art works in France and collaborate in contemporary art galeries in Paris.

Brand history

The company ” ASP “was founded in 1995 and in 1998 under “on aura tout vu” as a brand /a French expression in translation : You think you v’seen it all / and made its name at first by creating and producing exclusive fashion accessories, embroideries, buttons and garments for the famous Haute Couture Brands before starting its own collections of ready-to-wear, accessories and couture clothes.

Ideas from Economic Recovery Meetings in Hoboken, NJ

Carlo Lipizzi — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:05:28 EST

Economic Recovery Meeting

Feb. 27th ‘09

Meeting started at around 6:30pm with a total of 8 participants.

After brief personal introductions we shared some comments on the current economical situation and its impacts on each of us.

We watched the video with the Gov. Tim Kaine message and then we started talking about the Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, watching the Pres. Obama’s recent video on Budget Blueprint. We also spent some time exploring the Recovery.org website to let all the participants to look at the information provided by the White House on this matter.

We had a 45’ brainstorming-like discussion about the points we believe should have an high priority within the Recovery/Reinvestment Plan. The points are:

Accountability/transparency “all the way down”
Cities going “green”/efficiency issues:
Introducing “green” solutions in public properties
Optimizing the number of public offices
Rewiring buildings
Particular attention should be paid to the real effectiveness of major “green” projects
Private energy production solutions
Supporting aging population
Economic value of the projects
Medical records management
Optimizing local transportation
Workforce re-aggregation

Please, see click below on "Read More" for details.

Government should support Health Care Innovation

Howard from Katonah, NY — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 10:07:33 EST

The innovation and job creation "engine" that was the US VC sector has ground to a halt. Early stage companies are failing by the dozens. Not because of failed business models, but because of lack of capital. The VC industry has essentially shut down. They are concentrating on maintenance of their current portfolio companies as opposed to putting capital to work in bringing new innovation to the market.

Do we need to bail out or fund industries that need to become *lean* and shed jobs to become economically viable.... or should be concentrate our efforts and capital on a sector that has long proven to be the job creation and innovation engine of our economy.

A mere rounding error by the Treasury would supply enough capital to the Healthcare VC sector to fund the next level of innovation which would create jobs, improve healthcare, reduce medical errors and keep the US in its leadership position as the worlds innovation leader.

I refer you to a post on John Cook's Venture Blog, by Rob Coppedge.

"A meltdown in the Innovation Economy will have longer-standing (and potentially much more severe) ramifications than the long overdue restructuring of the U.S. auto industry."

California's Inland Empire as the Center for Green Innovation

Jonathan Abraham — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:19:55 EST

A letter I wrote to the Obama transition team, advocating the idea of
the inland empire as a center for green innovation to power our
economic recovery.

Dear transition team member,

I live in Redlands, California. We in Redlands are part of the
metropolitan statistical area known as the Inland Empire. This region
as a whole, including the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside have
been severely impacted by the housing crisis, and have unemployment
figures much higher than the national average. The core of the local
economy used to be a Kaiser steel mill, and air force bases, Norton AFB
and March AFB. Unemployment today in the area is 10 percent, and 1 in
8 homes is in foreclosure. These numbers are even higher in city
centers in San Bernardino and Riverside. The numbers are based on a
study released this week by the office of Senator Barbara Boxer.

Our region (the inland empire) is a dusty, smoggy part of the state
which has until now drawn in sprawling residential developments and
corporate goods distribution hubs. We consequently have few industries
that create jobs, and a disproportionate health impact from
containerized traffic flowing on our roadways and railways.

IT Acquisition Reform

John from Alexandria, VA — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:23:50 EST

Most agencies struggle with getting through the IT Acquisition Process and fail over 80% of the time, costing the tax payer over $15Billion per year. These failures can be attributed to multiple root causes including;

- Antiguated Architecture & Acquisition Processes designed prior to the E-Commerce revolution, which disenfranchise both the user and the small innovative companies

- Organizational Conflicts of Interest within the support contractors supporting the architecture and acquisition process.

- Lack of congressional support for those few honest brokers who are overwelmed by the FFRDCs and Federal System Integrators special interests.

- Lack of incentives or performance metrics that would help motivate govt Program Managers to change their focus from compliance to capability delivery. When a program fails in todays world, the PM gets more funds and the program is re-baselined.

Worse, the integrators are experiencing record profits while the govt experience record program failures. The good news is that some of our most patriotic leaders who have challenged the status quo are making progress, including efforts within the OSD BTA, AF CIO, and DIA. As the US Govt Info Technology Budget approaches $100Billion per year, we have a great opporunity to restart the US innovation engine if the barriers to entry can be overcome.

Break Up The Big 3 Automobile Companies

Dave R — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:25:09 EST

The problem with the American auto companies is that they are too slow to respond. My sources tell me that it takes an American auto company 5 years to develop the smallest innovation. That means a new idea takes 5 years from conception to construction. In contrast, the Japanese take only 8 to 12 months to do the same. Even if by some miracle someone gave the American auto companies the ultimate innovation, it would take them 5 years to receive a dime of profit. If the American auto companies are too large for their own good, we can only hope that some visionary lawmakers provide a way to break them up into smaller independent units. To be independent would mean they would not answer to any auto czar. These smaller units would rise or fall on their own merits. The competition for innovation would be against science. The net result in my opinion would encourage measured risk taking. A creative and nimble company is better than a company that is set in its ways and failing. I have been looking to buy a production electric car for over 30 years. I know I am not alone in my desire to own an electric car. I now drive 2 Toyota hybrids because I am tired of waiting for the big 3 American auto companies. I intend to stay the course until the big 3 innovate their way out of this mess.

From citizen engagement to wise democracy

Tom from Eugene, OR — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:58:09 EST

I hear a lot of talk about citizen participation and public engagement, such as enabling citizens to track government decision-making and comment on it.

I'd like to offer some useful distinctions between

public participation/citizen engagement
deliberative democracy
collective intelligence
emergence-based practices
wise democracy.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOR A NEW GENERATION

Samuel from Heath, MA — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:38:24 EST

The Problem

We need to connect citizens with each other to engage them more fully and directly in solving the problems that face us. We must use all available technologies and methods to open up the federal government, creating a new level of transparency to change the way business is conducted in Washington and giving Americans the chance to participate in government deliberations and decision-making in ways that were not possible only a few years ago.

America risks being left behind in the global economy: Revolutionary advances in information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and other fields are reshaping the global economy. Without renewed efforts, the United States risks losing leadership in science, technology and innovation. As a share of the Gross Domestic Product, American federal investment in the physical sciences and engineering research has dropped by half since 1970.

Too many Americans are not prepared to participate in a 21st century economy: A recent international study found that U.S. students perform lower on scientific assessments than students in 16 other economically developed nations, and lower than 20 economically developed nations in math performance. Only one-third of middle class physical science teachers are qualified to teach in that subject, and only one-half of middle school math sciences have educational background in that subject area.

Loans to Improve Economy...come back and try again, Detroit Big Three...

Christina — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:48:27 EST

It's truly amazing how our nation seems to just now realize how out-of-touch it has become with such a high-profile industry as automobile manufacturing...

I listened to the interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on "Face the Nation", shedding light on the wrong message of infusing cash into the Detroit 3 while CEOs are rewarded for their lack of success (we're talkin Ten$ of Million$ in individual compensation)--and the condition congress puts upon them to come back in 10 days with a business plan.

Giving good news to the big 3 that the government will assist, Pelosi asks, "What innovation can Detroit bring to the table?" Better greener cars being among the obvious and implied goals i'm sure...

(According to Pelosi) Detroit fought against the so-called "Cafe" fuel efficiency standards...

This is part where i sat on the edge of my chair and talked back to my TV: Hey, what about overseas? Surely the success of the European models of Ford and GM cannot be ignored...

...how is it that they have that fuel-efficiency model in Europe but not here in the US?

Here's an idea: Detroit, bring your Euro-philosophy back across the pond to our own home soil. You already have a proven business model in Europe - why not share it with your American peeps?

Too bad they couldn't hear my interjection. At any rate, we'll see how things progress soon enough.

CK~

HOw to improve the people around you!

Joshua from Ogdensburg, WI — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:09:40 EST

The truth is that when GM finnally announced the Chevy Volt.. the people in the oil and gas indutry couldn't see past thier shorterm profits. So they jacked up the price of oil. Which in turn has effectivly weakend our economy almost to the point of collapse.

We need to expose the greedy, corrupt people that have pulled this shennanigans on thier own brothers and sisters. Is the blame in the Middle East? or since we get most of our oil from Canada and South America. Is the blame squarely on the Fascist Corporations that have been killing our profits for years? It really does not matter who's fault it is. What does matter is that we find a solution ASAP!We can use our our tecnology headstart to bring to the world the wonderful gift that will become the Chevy Volt! We have to save GM, they will save us! This is exactly what is meant by {Treat others as you would be treated.} which sadly has been misinterpreted as treat others as they treat you! THIS IS WRONG We have to help people overcome these afflicting emotions that are clearly keeping us as human beings divided. It is sad that most people in the United States are extremely condesending. Our leadership has created this problem. With the negative and damaging campaign tactics shown in the past. But we can solve it by acknowlegeing and treasuring the good that is happening all around us. We only need to help people to know where to look...

I enjoy reading articles with bad grammar because it makes me think about what I am reading more. Thus helping me remember what I have read! We can all cultivate this behavior throughout our society. We have to lean out of our comfort zones too make this world a place that our children and grand children will be able to exist in. Our minds can be shaped by ourselves to embrace change and love every human being on this planet... If we don't do it now it is going to too late..

The Calling of Democracy: Beginning of a New Age of Participation?

Ken from San Francisco, CA — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:41:59 EST

Well tonight I did some calling for Barack. The online system is great. Connecting with real people out of the blue is a fairly unpredictable pursuit. I spoke to a Republican who for voting for Barack, and I spoke to someone I thought was a Democrat who wouldn't tell me who he voted for because he thought I might be a shill for McCain. What I liked most about the experience was the ease of participation. Anyone can make a contribution from anywhere with a network connection even if you have a limited amount of time. There are a ton of reasons I want Barack Obama to win this election, most of which are written in other blogs posted here. One reason that isn't being discussed often enough is how extensively the mechanisms of democracy will have changed if he wins. Anyone can call or knock, anyone can blog, anyone can set up their own event. Technology is really making "by the people for the people" actually possible.

What intrigues me most about this angle of the campaign is what you do to harness all of this participation after such a revolutionary candidate gets elected. It seems to me that you would want to leverage all of these tools and more to make participation both online and in person a central premise of what it means to be an American. Barack's campaign is testament to the fact that many of us have a lot to contribute and will happily do so if the methods to do so are straightforward and provide feedback on how to make a difference.

Here's hoping this innovation in democracy continues......

Obama Sound Bites: Dosing the Message for the Masses

Mark Wiznitzer — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:50:03 EDT

If it is true that the great majority of American voters can only be reached through sound bites. and then only by a limited number of such sound bites, well that's what we'll need to give them.

sound bite - noun, a brief, quotable remark, or excerpt from a speech, made as by a politician and suitable for use on TV or radio newscasts: often a dismissive term implying superficiality.
YourDictionary.com

Eistein utters the ultimate sound bite:

I'm sure you can come up with your own summary phrases to describe Barack Obama's plans for the country. Please add your ideas in the comment section below. But for starters, here are my seven. I hope you'll agree they are appropriately short, sufficiently limited in number and accurately descriptive.

Don't be surprised if you start seeing and hearing bites like these from Barack Obama in ads and the Presidential debates.

A Government that Respects the Constitution
Take the War to our Real Enemies
Restore Fiscal Discipline and Tax Fairness
A Growth Economy Fueled by Innovation and Energy Alternatives
Affordable Healthcare for All Americans
Learn to Value Education
Honor Service to Country and Community

wizinit is the nom de guerre of a veteran diplomat and fan of the late columnist Art Buchwald who writes serious analysis and political satire. If you would like to be notified whenever wizinit posts a new article join Food Tasters For Obama.

Farmable Energy

Tom from Manhasset, NY — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:25:54 EDT

In a previous blog I had a thread about my typical MO around life, experimenting and looking for the next opportunity to do some serious "ocean boiling", I wanted to expand on my concept of "farmable" energy.

First, let me throw out a thought to set a context for your reading, farming produce. Growing oranges in the Northeast United States is neither efficient nor effective. On the other hand, blueberries from New Jersey are a real treat in the late summer. Simple things like crop rotation among others organic methods allow the land to replenish its self in a natural way. This leads to a natural balance that enables sustainability.

So farming is about growing the right product in the right place while keeping the land farmable. Makes sense, not easy to do, but when done in a large scale becomes economically viable.

The concept of farmable energy is not only about being renewable. Farmable energy is about being renewable, ability to be pervasive, efficient, effective, replicatable and achieve a balance that through the cycle of energy creation to energy consumption to managing the by-products produced by consumption. An example of an energy supply model would be:

Energy creation -> Transmission/Storage/Distribution -> Consumption -> By-Product Management

So for example, nuclear energy is renewable however it creates an imbalance due to its toxic by-products and the safe disposal of them.

Typically in the United States we have created technologies and solutions to deal with the imbalance, however the end result only partially manages the imbalance. In many cases we have developed entire industries to deal with toxic waste and have embedded these "solutions" into the supply chain and amortized the cost so it appears to have a low economic impact.

The metrics used for the measurement of the economic impact are calculated based solely on the supply/consume cycle and not on impact outside of this cycle. So for example do our toxic waste handling solutions address scalability and are they future proof? Well no and no.

So I have taken a look at some of these solutions and technologies and quite frankly I am impressed with the innovation and execution of the solution. What an amazing waste of brain power and money. Innovation needs to drive solutions that avoid issues, not innovate to cleanup the aftermath.

If you look at wind power as an example, it achieves the goal of being neutral in its impact on natural resources. Wind however does not scale nor is replicatable in a pervasive way. That said wind can be effective and efficient in some areas of the world.

Solar is another example that again achieves the goal of being naturally balanced. It too has the same issues about pervasiveness in an efficient and effective way. Again solar can be an effective energy source in some areas of the world.

The same can be said about Geothermal, tidal, Biomass, hydro and other forms of farmable energy. So you are looking for the single magic bullet that creates the ultimate solution, forget it. The answer comes in the form of fit for purpose energy sources that are specific to geography, climate and consumption patterns.

Now if I am designing a farmable energy system in Death Valley Nevada I am certainly going to look at leveraging solar as a primary technology. Likewise in certain parts of California, mid-western United States and parts of continental Europe, wind is my choice.

So being farmable is not about choosing one source of energy production. It is about making a context specific choice based on the natural conditions of the region where the energy sourcing is located. Given that, we need to identify and develop a series of farmable energy technologies and deploy where we achieve efficiencies and effectiveness.

Just to give you an idea where I am heading here, I plan to do some more blog entries on this topic. The next entry will discuss farmable technologies, after that I will boil the ocean with my master plan on the next generation electric grid and bring it back to reality with a real life example that will surprise you.

Obama Green Inititives

Barry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:20:17 EDT

1.Implement Cap and Trade Program to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Barack Obama

supports implementation of an economy‐wide cap‐and‐trade system to reduce carbon emissions

by the amount scientists say is necessary: 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. This market

mechanism has worked before and will give all American consumers and businesses the

incentives to use their ingenuity to develop economically effective solutions to climate change.

Obama's cap‐and‐trade policy will require all pollution credits to be auctioned. A 100 percent

auction ensures that all industries pay for every ton of emissions they release, rather than giving

these valuable emission rights away to companies on the basis of their past pollution. A small

portion of the receipts generated by auctioning allowances ($15 billion per year) will be used to

support the development of clean energy, invest in energy efficiency improvements, and help

develop the next generation of biofuels and clean energy vehicles – measures that will help the

economy and help meet the emissions reduction targets. It will also be used to provide new

funding to state and federal land and wildlife managers to restore habitat, create wildlife

migration corridors, and assist fish and wildlife to adapt to the effects of a warming climate. All

remaining receipts will be used for rebates and other transition relief to ensure that families and

communities are not adversely impacted by the transition to a new energy, low carbon economy.

2.Convert our Manufacturing Centers into Clean Technology Leaders. America boasts the

highest‐skilled manufacturing workforce in the world and advanced manufacturing facilities that

have powered economic growth in America for decades. Barack Obama believes that America

companies and workers should build the high‐demand technologies of the future, and he will help

nurture America’s success in clean technology manufacturing by establishing a federal investment

program to help manufacturing centers modernize and help Americans learn new skills to produce green

products. This federal grant program will allocate money to the states to identify

and support local manufacturers with the most compelling plans for modernizing existing or

closed manufacturing facilities to produce new advanced clean technologies. This investment will

help provide the critical up‐front capital needed by small and mid‐size manufacturers to produce

these innovative new technologies. Along with an increased federal investment in the research,

development and deployment of advanced technologies, this $1 billion per year investment will

help spur sustainable economic growth in communities across the country.

I believe in sustainability. I believe we have a significant amount of waste in our society and lifestyle that could make up a considerable amount of the difference between what we have and what we import in the way of energy (NOT oil). The remainder of the difference is doable by existing alternative energy sources and by the incredible amount of innovation our people have if they put their mind to a specific problem. There are countless unconfirmed stories about people inventing devices that could save millions of gallons of gasoline but one way or the other were not allowed to come to 'market'. We can DO what is in front of our faces if we only decide to DO IT! Lets see what ideas any of you can come up with that are practical and implementable solutions so that a President like Barack Obama would use the Office of The President and all the resources available to help develop your dream for our country. The only limit I know of is our imagination.

On "Innovation": Are We Doing Enough To Encourage The Discussion?

Scott Foval — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:33:40 EDT

In his uber-popular blog/vlog, this morning Robert Scoble lamented the "lack of discussion" of innovation as a national priority in the context of the U.S. Presidential race.

http://scobleizer.com/2008/09/03/the-political-topic-that-must-not-be-discussed-in-usa/

I felt after reading the full post and all of the comments, to file my own comment to his post. Please take a moment to read it as well, and if you feel strongly about it, to comment here and on the Scobleizer website about your feelings. As for me...my comments (not yet approved by the Scobleizer comment moderation process) are below...unedited. What do you think? Drop me a line at scott@foval.com or better yet comment directly!

>>>>>>>>>

Robert:

I think you have some great points to make regarding the need for broader discussion about the topic of innovation. I must, however, take issue with the premise (and snarky repetition) that such subjects are not being discussed in the broader context of the political debate in this country.

The fact of the matter is that numerous politicians around the country have addressed the need for greater focus on innovation as a concept, and have supported their bullet points by contributing significant policy pieces to the larger discussion. A cross-sectional review of campaign websites reveals various levels of support of the idea of “innovation” through increased education funding, energy independence research, green technology job retraining, etc.

The problem, as I see it, is that private sector leaders such as yourself and those who follow your work are not stepping up to the plate and becoming actively involved in the campaigns’ efforts to reach the greater population. As a former campaign veteran I can tell you, if the industry and thought leaders are there pushing the issue with a particular campaign, the campaign will focus on it. That can include giving money to a particular campaign that “gets it” and can move things forward vs. one that pushes a status quo agenda.

Politics is not rocket science. It is about relationships, just like what you and other industry/thought leaders do every day. The problem is that too many people with a “public voice” would rather sit back and blog/vlog/speak about the issue; rather than actively become engaged at a meaningful level in the political process. It is easy to see what happens when particular audiences are engaged (i.e. the religious right) at a meaningful level…things happen and agendas are established. When people don’t take the initiative to engage with campaigns and their supporting organizations (the committees) at the state and national levels, they should not expect that the overall idea of “innovation” as a key priority will ever reach the level they purportedly expect.

In short, I challenge everyone who reads your post to really think about whether they are personally putting their own skin in the game by becoming actively involved with the idea of establishing “innovation” at all levels as a national priority. Or, alternatively, are they just bitching and moaning about it? My guess is that everyone could “step it up” and raise their level of true commitment above what they are doing now.

Scott Foval
ScottsBigMouth
http://www.scottsbigmouth.com / http://offthebus.ning.com/profile/ScottFoval
scott@foval.com

Beware of Overuse of "Change" in Obama Campaign

Stephen — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:57:31 EDT

I must warn the Democratic party as to its overuse of the "change" slogan as the centerpiece to a win in November. Despite the majority of American's having disagreement with the policies of George Bush, and John McCain may well continue many of these, in order for moderate and independant voters to stand with Obama and his unknown "brand," he must detail the specifics he will change.
Below, are what I believe to be KEY metrics Obama can address:

1. How "hedge funds" on Wall Street are unhealthfully manipulating what we pay for gas and oil, food, and housing, and what he as President can do to protect us from these effects.

2. What specific tax policies American corporations are exploiting that results in an increase in U.S. job loss to foreign nations, and HOW Obama can correct this.

3. How the Democratic approach to workplace INNOVATION is superior to the current Republican model, i.e. in energy, health care, tech.

4. How specific lobbying firms are harming America, and what Obama can do as President to fix this.

And as Obama is the more unknown brand, compared to McCain, he can boost his BRAND by naming members of his cabinet and having them speak on these specifics as well.

Remember, it was only 4 years ago that George Bush and the Republicans used "guns and religion" to defeat John Kerry and the Democrats. Yes - the democrats did win heavily in 2006, but this win was based mostly on the war. Do not underestimate how well "guns and religion" still sell in America, and Obama's campaign of merely "change" can be taken the wrong way by many American's.

Be specific.

Discovery: Project Earth ~ are you bold enough to change the World ?

Richard Owl Mirror — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:44:55 EDT

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/project-earth/project-earth.html

Discovery Project Earth ~ Watch Fridays, starting Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT

You've heard the dire warnings and seen the detailed slide shows, and you've even bought that lightbulb with the swirls. You wonder, though, how can small, individual measures like switching to CFLs and using canvas grocery bags in lieu of plastic be enough to save the planet? Tune in to Discovery Project Earth and watch as some of the world's leading scientists put the most ambitious geo-engineering ideas to the test in order to tackle global climate change.

~@~

I am posting this announcement in the hope you might plan ahead and watch this program, starting tomorrow, Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT

Gather your children, if you are so blessed, and use this as an educational opportunity. Teach your children how everyone can decide for themselves, whether they can do anything or if they should even bother.

If anything, it certainly looks entertaining with loads of excitement and Discovery .

While you are waiting for tomorrow to arrive, perhaps you or your children would enjoy learning something new while having fun at the same time ? Get the kids involved early and they will anxiously await 9 p.m. tomorrow night.

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/project-earth/puzzles/puzzles.html

Information at any age can lead to life-changing decisions. I imagine a child somewhere in the United States, watching a show like this and deciding on their own to not toss that piece of paper or plastic on the ground with careless abandon.

Maybe you will find yourself joining me and take a permanent shopping bag to the store, foregoing a plethora of cheap plastic bags which are thrown away once emptied.

The Value of Not Too Much Experience

Peter Lloyd — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:35:55 EDT

Every time I get wind of the so-called Experience Issue, I cringe. Look what our opponent's so-called experience has wrought!

We need someone bold enough to try what needs to tried. A special courage is required to do so, but as I hope the following example will illustrate, it requires something else.

The prolific writer on the topic of creativity, Michael Michalko, commented recently to The Hub a website devoted to the same topic, on the innovative leadership of Dick Drew, inventor of masking tape at 3M. Despite his company's strong emphasis on creativity, Drew found he had to fight now and then for his biggest ideas. And he did so, more than once at the risk of losing his job.

Among Michalko's summary of Dick Drew’s basic beliefs about creativity is the the concept of Constructive Ignorance.It means that agents of change need to know just enough to get this moving, but not so much that they get in their own way, especially with loyalty to the old ways that did not work.

Michael Michalko's post on The Hub:
Be the Weed in the Flower Garden

State of Education

Barbara Bray — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:09:52 EDT

I live in California and work around the country. I am appalled about the state of education and how we are leaving more children behind then we ever have before. The focus of "No Child Left Behind" was framed so people thought that we were going to fight for all children. Actually, what has happened is that "Every poor, disadvantaged, learning disabled, at-risk, and minority child is left behind." What kind of country is this that we do this to our future. In today's SF Chronicle, the headline is 24% of high school students will dropout.

Where are they? What are these dropouts doing now? How will they survive?

I noticed this starting to happen several years ago as a consultant working with several high schools in the SF bay area. When I pointed out that the data is alarming (i.e. at one urban school there were 800 freshmen and only 160 seniors), the school told me not to talk about it. I informed them that this is a big problem they need to address. So now the state superintendent is talking about it (5 years later).

We cannot throw away one child!

Since I work in other states, I have become aware that funding levels do impact class size, teacher quality, etc. California is now 49th in funding per pupil. Class size averages over 30 where in Texas the average is 22. How can you be effective with that many children in your class? In other countries, teachers are valued, honored. We blame teachers for problems that are out of their control. In Japan, there is time for professional learning and teachers to share teaching practice almost daily. We expect teachers to do the impossible and learn on the job without much support and resources. No other job does this.

To create the 21st century citizens we want our children to become, our teachers need an environment that allows them to take risks where innovation and creativity is encouraged.

With so much focus on tests and accountability, innovation, problem-solving, critical-thinking, and creativity is not only discouraged but not allowed. We have to change this - NOW! Our children need to learn how to think, not what to think.

State of Education

Barbara Bray — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:09:52 EDT

Where are they? What are these dropouts doing now? How will they survive?

We cannot throw away one child!

To create the 21st century citizens we want our children to become, our teachers need an environment that allows them to take risks where innovation and creativity is encouraged.

Change: What kind of change, and how?

Stephen — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:39:46 EDT

Senator Obama has attracted the nation's attention to the need for CHANGE. But what type of CHANGE is needed, and how best to implement that CHANGE. The following in one analyst's view.

This type of change is a long time in coming, and it won't be easy. But now that the Senator has the nation's attention, we've passed the first step. The next step is in identify the areas most in need of change, and these are HEALTH, BUSINESS LEADERSHIP, and FAMILY.

HEALTH: Perhaps 50 percent of the nation is overweight. Another 25 to 30 percent are facing mental health challenges as a result of drug and alcohol abuse. Almost 25 percent of the population is over the age of 50 and will be facing more serious age related health concerns, with many uninsured or underinsured. A healthy nation can withstand the challenges of change.

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP: Many of America's business leaders have become visionaries in innovation and job creation, while almost an equal number have become innovators in exploiting financial opportunities over business ethics and adherence to U.S. laws and practices. We must better define 21st century business leaders and how they who will guide sustained technological growth and prosperity, not merely short term schemes. There needs to be open dialogue on standards of practice and how new economic growth can best be achieved, with more coordination of targeted policy from Washington.

FAMILY: The break down of the American family over the last 30 years has driven a wedge right into the heart of this great nation. The data on children in the inner cities growing up amid violent crime, drug abuse, and later ending up in prisons is astronomical. Even children of middle class families have not been spared from the fallout of broken homes, failed education, and drugs. We must tackle these issues head on. Children of today are our leaders of tomorrow, or they can become our liabilities. We need new leadership and vision in tackling the issues facing our youth. It's not about programs, it's about committing to goals and ideas.

CHANGE occurs from the inside and spreads outward. It is also contagious, like WINNING. The reasons why the U.S. has struggled in the above 3 areas is that we were trying to do it from the outside, moving in. CHANGE can't be mandated, it can't be bought. It must be WILLED. We must want it!

I purposefully excluded FOREIGN POLICY from the above priorities, because of the overemphasis of some in this country on forcing our will on others. PEACE, as it has been described by many in the concervative sector of this country, is an ILLUSION. You can't WILL peace on others. They must WANT IT. What happens in Iraq is the collective WILL of the people living there. Period! As a nation, there is only so much we can control as to the decisions of others on foreign land. But - we can lead by EXAMPLE, and by our strength in our resolve to our VALUES and where possible aid others in achieving the same.

We must also FIGHT for the weak, for those who cannot defend themselves, as it is our responsibility in LEADERSHIP, standing up for VALUES, where others can follow, that others can depend on. We must also work to maintain open DIALOGUE as best we can amid difficult times.

Surge & Water: Alternative Energy Posts!

EMK — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:11:40 EDT

Seriously, take a look! Innovation is creativity with practicality!

George: Electric Surge Car (Surge technology)

Mickiboop: Important Information for Our Futures... (Water-powered technology)

Why aren't they being explored more aggressively?

EMK

With Obama, for a new kind of “surge” – the surge of social creativity and collective intelligence

George P�r — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 09:08:29 EDT

“Open up government decision-making and involve the public in the work of agencies, not simply by soliciting opinions, but by tapping into the vast and distributed expertise of the American citizenry to help government make more informed decisions.” Create a Transparent and Connected Democracy -- Barack Obama

Obama’s innovation and tech agenda enables a new kind of surge – the surge of the social creativity and collective intelligence needed to solve our toughest problems, and move the US in the world from being part of the problem to being part of the solution.

As another bloger noted, “The Plan calls for citizen engagement in the work of federal agencies and demonstrates respect for the intelligence and expertise of the American people.” I would add:

“Yes, we can” because Yes, we know and care!

Déjà vue

Jan — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:41:46 EDT

4/16/08

Dear Mr. Obama,

Today, four days later, I can still not believe I did it. Not that I regret it, on the contrary, but it’s just not like me. I was going to drop a letter on your website, and was just trying to get by that nasty front page of yours that asks for money.

Right there, however, was this counter that said that 1,308,129 people had contributed to your campaign and you set a goal of making that number an even 1,500,000 before May 1. Somehow I was swept up on a wave of excitement and I became conscious of a very strong feeling of déjà vue. Only the first time I felt this way, when President Kennedy lifted up the whole world on his wave that landed humanity on the moon in 1969, I was a very young man. Hence, now, at 63 years of age, I surprised myself that you managed to do the same thing, even though you still have not declared an overarching yet tangible goal that serves as the flag to carry and plant in the lands yet to be discovered.

Obama Supports Net Neutrality

Melissa — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:44:18 EDT

The Information Age is coming to a close, and the Thought Revolution is dawning.

Throughout history there have been golden ages. There have been perfect junctures of time and place. These fleeting moments existed when all of the right ingredients converged into a singular fortuity. Combinations of factors like extended peace, inspired leadership, plentiful resources, geographic advantage or strong government led to rare dynamic bursts of cultural elevation.

What does this have to do with Net Neutrality? Read on to find out.

Super Delegates Letter

Bronwen — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:29:49 EST

Thank you for for asking me to share my story of involvement. Indeed, I think 'asking' is one of Senator Barack Obamas' core competencies. And, I believe his instinctive ability to 'ask' is representative of his wisdom and good judgment.

I'll take good judgment over experience anytime. Not everyone "learns from their mistakes" as the adages goes.

This is the first time I have been involved in any candidates election to anything. I am 51 years old so it's not like I haven't had the chance. It's that I've never connected with the 'old white men' of the process. I'm not saying that with a mean spirit, or as a racist, sexist or ageist, it's just how the candidates and the presidents have looked to me, from Johnson to Bush/Cheney. They have always represented someone other than me in a system that excluded me.

I am a white, female, industrial designer (that's the first time I've used those qualifiers for my identification.) From college, through my years in industry and recently, academia (UofI Champaign/Urbana, Carnegie Mellon University, and CCAC) I have been educated by, worked with and reported to often older, white guys.

My experience has shown me that they think very differently than the rest of us but pretty similar to each other. They have tended to see the views of non-white men and non-men, as simplistic, short-sighted or ill-conceived, particularly when they're driving and a suggestion of asking for directions, after passing the 'Erectile Dysfunction Solutions' sign for the fourth time, is offered.

Now, I don't like sweeping generalizations like the ones I've made here. And, I give every old white guy I meet the benefit of the doubt. After all my Dad's an old white guy and I love and respect him (you're not 'old', Dad. You're just older than me. That's all I'm saying. You know how I am.) But this country is in serious peril. Our government, many of our institutions and organizations are, by all accounts, in various states of demise.

Look at the data and you'll see only old white guys have been at the helm of our government and our most lucrative organizations and institutions. Now, I don't want to point fingers, but...
At this point one could rightly say something like "...seems like Senator Clinton would be your first choice, given the gender thing and all." And I could respond with something like"...Oh, look over there. That person wants to see you.'

Change for the worst was cultivated by Nixon and has been growing like an aggressive cancer under every administration, including Clinton's ever since. Change for the worst is happening to those of us not in the 1-5% of the wealth group right now. We need someone who can not only make change occur, but can manage the effects of change and redirect deleterious change. We need a top change agent.

I think our change agent is Senator Obama. From what I've seen and read Senator Obama finds solutions by connecting the answers to tough questions. Additionally, he listens to the answers from all respondents with the same measure. The measure is possibilities. There is hope in thinking about what's possible. Our greatest innovations have come from people who think about possibilities.

This is the best way I can describe why I became a part of Senator Barack Obamas movement: remember, I'm an industrial designer. Possibilities and their construction are a key part of an industrial designers core skill set. Another part is the ability to ignite a passion for possibilities in their clients and organizations. I have worked as a product designer for five different Johnson & Johnson companies, Becton Dickenson Company, and as a consultant to many more. The first two are old companies steeped in tradition. J&J has one the largest brand equaties going with 'Band-Aid'. Both JJCPI and BD are makers of products in a 'mature category' also known as the 'products-older-than-dirt-can't-do-anything-new category'. There were not many who thought about what was possible in these places.

That's why they hired me. Going in, I had to believe that people in all levels and all departments of the organization could think about the possibilities if given a chance, before I could get to the new product possibilities. Because, I knew succesful new product development depended on the input of the people in the company. People in each level and in every department offered a valuable perspective. Generally, the veiws were dramatically different from and conflicted with one another's. A good innovator knows the possibilities, the new product opportunities, are in the coalescing of differences.

As people saw that what they said mattered regardless of their position or department, they began to think about the possibilities. They began to participate. They started to 'buy in'. They started turning what was possible into actionable. It is a way of thinking that is exciting and contagious.

I see Senator Barack Obama inspiring this kind of thinking in people all across the country. He is a leading innovator. Senator Obama is the best damn designer of our time. He is offering us a skill set that could net him huge sums of money in the private sector. Practically speaking, we would be fools to let this chance go by.

You've got to make him the C.E.O of this organization.

Lastly, I have worked on his campaign, here, in Pittsburgh as a petition circulator. From fellow volunters to the people I met in coffee shops accross the three counties of my congressional district, I have seen how he has inspired people to think about the possibilities and do the actions. I am sharing his influence on me now, by talking the time to share it with you. Thank you, again, for asking. Bronwen

Renovation through Innovation

Michele — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:15:33 EST

When Hillary spoke her best sound-bite ever "It took one Clinton to clean up after a Bush, it will take another to clean up after this Bush," I wish Obama would have retorted:

"Well, cleaning up is fine Hillary, but I intend to RENOVATE. Renovation through Innovation."

Beyond the race/gender pat on the back

Malik Singleton — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:03:53 EST

Tonight's debate showed that the Democrats are strong and getting stronger, but let's begin to move beyond the race/gender pat on the back because we never doubted that these could be the faces of leadership. In getting back to real politics, the real reason I support Obama is because he is the difference maker! In this whole political playing field, he is the only one that rightfully opposed invading Iraq, which demonstrates both his sound policies and his strong judgment. He takes practical, even if unpopular positions on issues, which I respect far more than lofty, unsubstantiated promises.

On the matter of experience his is extensive because much of it was earned long before becoming well known and that long track record of organizing, advocating, and defending is completely relevant to his preparedness for the presidency. Obama's successful campaign demonstrates not only his leadership level but also his management abilities. I am convinced that his administration will be the great example to follow by organizations large and small. It takes big people to embrace big change, and Barack Obama is already helping us all to grow.

In fairness, no president can be expected to be some amazing savior or larger than life miracle worker, but because he's sparking such a strong spirit of ambition in the American people, we will work the miracles. America is the land of innovators and in the world of politics Barack Obama is a modern pioneer. The real history he'll make will be ushering in a new American renaissance because he's inspiring thinkers, builders, inventors, workers, scientists, economists, enviromentalists, businesspeople, servicepeople, writers, artists, doctors, educators, soldiers and even fellow legislators. It's already happening. This is what I'm ready for when I say I'm ready for change.

In Praise of Americans: Let me count the 8 ways!

Ms CYPRAH — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:59:16 EST

I had always been in love with big, brash, beautiful America but I realised after my tenth visit there that I loved to visit the country but didn't really wish to live there. That thought was surprising to me because I admired so much about it. However, while a few of my relatives emigrated there, I chose to go to England. Yet America would have probably suited me to the ground, for a variety of reasons. I think it is all a question of where we feel comfortable as 'home'. Little ole England perhaps has the understated and truly free atmosphere to bring out the best in me.

Del. White Republican female for Obama (for real)

Michele — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:45:15 EST

I am a lifelong Republican - my values run moderate to conservrative. I voted for GWB twice. And this morning I made my first Obama online donation of $100 to the Obama campaign. Why did I do such a thing? Certainly, I don't agree politically with Sen. Obama on every issue. Far from it.

But we hear that Washington is broken on both blue and red aisles. This is an understatement. I am so sick and tired of the political divide. The negative ads. The old way of doing things.

Sen. Obama is an innovator. He has the power of imagination and the power to unite many different people together. I am encouraged that young people, who characteristaclly go to rallys but stay home on voting day are rising up and getting to the polls. As a baby boomer, I am responsible, as all of us are, to the United States that our children will inherit and I want my daughter to inherit a new political climate and way of doing things.

Bill Clinton says that supporting Obama is "rolling the dice". The bigger gamble is returning to the old way of doing things. I am tired of the Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton dynasty. I am tired of my intelligence being manipulated by soundbites and negative ads.

Washington needs a good shake up - in a positive way. We need to start doing things differently. I am making a big personal deviation in how I vote and who I support and there are millions like me willing to make the same committment. It is because a leader has emereged. A true innovator. Sen. Obama is smart enough to know that his coalition lies with all of us and I honestly feel he will study and respect all points of view before moving forward in making decisions that will affect our great nation.

I donated a $100 this morning. I am not a rich woman. The money comes hard to me. But it was the right thing to do. You see Mr. Clinton, I never gamble. My donation was a smart investment!

Manned space exploration

John Messerly — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:33:40 EST

Who's your favorite space explorer? Armstrong? Glenn?

Mine is the Opportunity (Mars exploration) rover. 4 years after setting down on Mars, it is still toiling away, uncovering more of Mars' secrets. In terms of science return on dollar invested, it has been a magnificent investment.

Sure- it doesn't get any mention in the news any more. But though science can be dramatic, drama is not the point. Unfortunately, Bush believes it is, and so set Nasa on a track towards re-asserting America's manhood in space- designed to land men on the moon again by. That's what his man in space policy to send astronauts to Mars is about.

Landing men on Mars will be a huge distraction and resource hog for Nasa. Other than the fleeting drama it will provide, such a goal makes very little sense from a science or business (spin off technology) perspective. It's not complicated to figure out why. Unlike technology of the 60's, robotic exploration means engineers can push the envelope in experiments of new approaches. Manned exploration forces engineers to be extremely conservative. The risk taking necessary for breakthrough technologies means dead astronauts- so guess what. It's a bad bet to count on the breakthroughs coming from manned programs. So really, it doesn't take a genius to realize which approach generates more new technologies. That means fewer growth opportunities for Florida and Texas businesses hoping to generate spin off technology products for global markets.

Next consider the cost of proving our manhood in space. 90% of the equipment necessary for manned missions are useless baggage on Telerobotic missions. Telerobotic explorers are on a one way trip. No return fuel needed. No human crew being present on the vehicle means massively redundant systems are not necessary, nor is the bulky life support systems required. Reliable airbag landing systems can be used because machines can be subjected to 40G stresses.

Sure- let's build bases on the Moon, Mars and Europa that "live off the land", we return samples from the outer planets and send high velocity ion propulsion probes outside of the solar system. We can do all of this dramatic stuff a lot faster if we don't have to be 100% sure that every mission will be a success. Ok- the eyes that see all this will be separated from the mars environment not by a piece of clear plastic in a helmet, but by the silicon of a high resolution camera. The distance from the human explorers face to the mars environment will not be measured in inches but in millions of miles.

Is that difference worth waiting 30 years or more for and spending 10 times as much money that could be spent on 10 times more Nasa exploration in unmanned form? For what? So we can do then what we can do today on mars minus the in situ hemoglobin? The price of human vanity is indeed very high.

The nice thing about Telerobotics space exploration is that we can be there without having to wait 20 years to develop the technology to safely move our bodies there. It's good for American businesses that can profit from accelerated risk taking engineering efforts that the telerobitic approach allows. It's good for science because we get an order of magnitude more science bang for the buck. Lastly, it's even good from the perspective of the drama of exploration because we don't have to wait decades to make baby steps to the planets. Instead we can move their boldly and use space as a vast proving ground of radical new technologies that on earth will make our country more competitive.

(Disclaimer- I am not in any way associated with the space or aerospace industry or an inhabitant of Florida or Texas or anyone so connected. I am a former software engineering manager at a well known company and hold a handful of patents in the field. Now I mostly change my children's diapers.)

The Obama Tech & Innovation Plan

Julius Genachowski — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 23:47:59 EST

I recently heard this summary of the core principles of the Obama Technology & Innovation Plan:

Open Government. Open Networks. Open Markets.

The plan is the most comprehensive and detailed tech & innovation plan put forward by any candidate. But also bold, and simple at its core. I liked the sharp summary and wanted to share it.

I was fortunate to chair the group that advised Senator Obama and the campaign on the tech & innovation plan - a large and hardworking group that generated terrific ideas, rooted in the great work that the Senator and his strong Senate staff have been doing in this area for quite some time.

The response to the plan has been great. One independent comment that stands out: "If even half of the proposals outlined here were to be implemented, it would fundamentally change the nature of our democracy for the better". That's why Barack Obama is running for President - fundamentally changing the country and the world for the better. A lot will have to happen on many fronts for that to occur, and Senator Obama has been addressing all the topics in compelling ways. He is a 21st century candidate who recognizes that technology will be a key part of the solution to better government, and a key part of the solution to so many of the specific issues that concern Americans: health care, energy, education, as well as job creation and economic growth.

Send copies of the plan to people you know, especially people interested in technology and innovation. Or better, send them to BarackObama.com where they can read the plan and also participate in the discussion on the site. The Senator wants the feedback - and (not a small thing) is using technology to generate the best thinking and best ideas to make the country a better place.

Obama and Google

Sam Graham-Felsen — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:14:05 EST

Another must-read in the New York Times -- on Obama's recent visit to Google headquarters:

Among the seven visiting candidates, only Senator Obama used his Google visit to announce details of policy proposals related to technology. Until his visit, he and Senator Edwards were widely viewed among technology bloggers as the two candidates who had the strongest positions on Internet neutrality, expanded broadband access and other technology issues. With his Google visit, however, Senator Obama succeeded in drawing attention to his plans for using technology to make government more accessible and transparent with, for example, live Internet feeds of all executive branch department and agency meetings.

For more on Obama's innovation plan, check out the MyPolicy Technology Discussion HQ.

Obama interviewed on TechCrunch

Sam Graham-Felsen — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:13:06 EST

Barack Obama discusses his widely praised innovation plan on TechCrunch, one of the most influential blogs on technology.

Michael Arrignton writes:

The senator is continuing to take a very strong stance on net neutrality. He may understand the issue - and its importance to the tech community - better than any other candidate.

Click here to read the whole interview.

And remember to check out our MyPolicy Technology Discussion HQ blog to join the conversation about Barack's plan to open up the the Internet -- and our government -- to the people.

Photos from Google HQ

Buffy Wicks — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:33:55 EST

Last week, Senator Obama visited the Google Headquarters in Mountain View, CA, where he unveiled his comprehensive new plan for technology and innovation. The Googlers came out in full force and with tremendous enthusiasm.

Here he is getting a demo from Google co-founder Sergey Brin:

Video: Obama's innovation agenda

Sam Graham-Felsen — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:04:12 EST

Here's the speech on Obama's technology plan, which has created a lot of buzz today:

Obama rolls out innovation agenda

Sam Graham-Felsen — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:36:33 EST

At a town hall meeting today at Google headquarters, U.S. Senator Barack Obama rolled out an innovation agenda that will connect and empower Americans through technology. Click here for a full rundown of Barack's bold and important plan.

“Together, we could open up government and invite citizens in, while connecting all of America to 21st century broadband. We could use technology to help achieve universal health care, to reach for a clean energy future, and to ensure that young Americans can compete – and win – in the global economy," said Barack. "If America recommits itself to science and innovation, we can lead the world to a new future of productivity and prosperity. That’s what we can do if we seize this moment."

“I will take a backseat to no one in my commitment to network neutrality. Because once providers start to privilege some applications or web sites over others, then the smaller voices get squeezed out, and we all lose. The Internet is perhaps the most open network in history. We have to keep it that way.”

Barack explained that we have to use technology to open up our democracy. "It’s no coincidence that one of the most secretive Administrations in history has favored special interests and pursued policies that could not stand up to sunlight," he said. "As President, I’ll change that. I’ll put government data online in universally accessible formats. I’ll let citizens track federal grants, contracts, earmarks, and lobbyist contacts. I’ll let you participate in government forums, ask questions in real time, offer suggestions that will be reviewed before decisions are made, and let you comment on legislation before it is signed. And to ensure that every government agency is meeting 21st century standards, I’ll appoint the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer.”

Here's what some of the experts had to say about the plan:

Reed Hundt, Former Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (1993-1997):

Barack Obama's innovation and technology agenda will end the current oil-and-gas Administration's lack of leadership on the issues shaping our future. This is a 21st century agenda, one that was developed for the American people, not the powerful, entrenched interests in Washington, DC. Barack Obama is the one candidate for president who can create the change necessary for America to enjoy real prosperity in a global economy. An Obama administration will drive investment in our communications infrastructure, our human capital and ensure we have a competitive marketplace that benefits all Americans.

William E. Kennard, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (1997-2001):

Barack Obama's technology plan is unique because it focuses first and foremost on empowering people to connect with each other and with government to solve problems. The plan recognizes that technology is not an end in itself, but a means to improve education and health care, create jobs and make America safer. No other candidate so fully embraces technology as a way to strengthen our democracy and improve people's lives. The plan is truly innovative.

Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google, Inc:

Senator Obama's plan would help make sure that the Internet remains a free and open platform, and that America maintains an atmosphere of high-tech growth and innovation. We particularly share his aims of getting more Americans online, using the Internet to increase government transparency, and applying high-tech know how to thorny problems like education and health care. As the 2008 campaign unfolds, we hope that more candidates on both sides of the aisle will present their concrete ideas for maintaining America's competitive edge.

Barack's plan has also recieved rave reviews from Lawrence Lessig and bloggers including Matt Stoller and Markos Moulitsas.

“We need to make sure that the next success story – the next Google – happens here in America," concluded Barack. "The Google story is about what can be achieved when we cultivate new ideas and keep the playing field level for new businesses. But it’s also about not settling for what we’ve achieved. It’s about constantly raising the bar so that we’re more competitive, and so we use technology to reach ever-expanding horizons…The promise and prosperity of our new economy must not become the property of the few, it must be a force that lifts up our entire country, and that lifts up the world.”

Obama donor match

Michael Weiksner — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:52:36 EDT

Obama continues to think of innovative ways to fundraise on the Internet. Today, the campaign announced a program for matching donations. They will match me with another donor from across the country who agrees to donate the same amount. It sounds really cool. They are promoting it like NPR: donor matching means that you are doubling your contribution. I am not a fan of that appeal because it doesn't ring true to me. What I do like is that they are fostering horizontal connections, e.g., among supporters, rather than just the vertical connection between the campaign and each individual donor.

I just gave $25, and here is what happened. I was immediately matched by 'gerald v' from woodbridge, ct. I sent him a personal note, asking him if he wanted to compare notes about the election and I opted to share my email address with him. The campaign immediately asked me if I wanted to pledge to match someone else.

I'll keep you updated if Gerald responds!

(Originally posted here on weiksner.com.)

Ten Ideas for Education Reform

Beth — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:09:04 EDT

These are the ten main ideas I would like to throw in the debate for education reform.

1- Financing education equitably

This means not financing education with real estate taxes but with increased sales tax on non-basic and luxury goods and services.

2- Opening schools for early childhood education (2 to 5 years old)

Early childhood education allows the children to develop skills early. If this is too expensive to do on a large scale, this should be started at least to benefit the most at risk children in poor neighborhoods.

3- Adopting national standards for public schools

This would allow meaningful comparisons between states and help Universities select the students fairly.

4- Creating a national exam at the end of high school

Testing does not permit to distinguish exceptional students. SAT’s are just drills and students can prepare like robots to reach high scores. An exam with meaningful essays and problem solving would better evaluate the students.

5- Testing to diagnose and act locally, not testing to judge, compare unfairly and punish

Schools should rely on tools to evaluate learning and help teachers improve students’ achievement. Accountability is important but the instruments need to be fair.

6- At the Federal level, spend less on war, more on education

Democracy in other countries should not be forced upon people. Self-liberation and respect of each country’s sovereignty must prevail. United States should be fixing their own problems inside the country before giving lessons to others. Stopping wars would free money for education, when education reform is much needed.

7- Define what competencies are required to be a “highly qualified teacher”

NCLB proclaims teachers have to be highly qualified without listing the precise

skills needed to be a highly qualified teacher.

8- Create university programs aligned on these teacher’s competencies

Once the skills have been defined, University should align their programs to help students become highly qualified teachers.

9- Define success differently and adapt the curricula accordingly

It is important to redefine success. Many students think that show business, business, medicine, and law are the only valued avenues to be considered successful. Graduating as a qualified teacher, nurse, electrician, plumber or auto-mechanic should be valued as much as the other "prestigious" jobs. "Blue collar" should be taken out of the dictionary and all jobs should be advertised as useful to society

10- Improve, develop and advertise vocational schools

The number of vocational schools should be increased to provide quality education to students who are not interested in graduate studies but want to become qualified and respected professionals.

WHO IS SANDY KRESS?

Beth — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:18:33 EDT

Sandy Kress's practice area is: Public Law and Policy (Translation=Lobbying)

Mr. Kress served as senior advisor to President Bush on Education with respect to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. He previously served as president of the board of trustees of the Dallas Public Schools.

It is a well-known fact that a Law degree qualifies you as a specialist in education!

Reporter Scott Parks on the Dallas Morning News drew attention to former White House senior education advisor who turn from public servant to corporate lobbyist. He is helping his employers (Akin Gump, Strauss Hauer and Feld, LLP) and clients benefiting from federal funds. Scott Parks reports that the flow of money goes to several large corporations and their lobbyists, particularly to the corporations specializing in standardized testing and supplemental education services. The re-authorization of NCLB will help them expand their profits...

According to dailykos.com, (story 2007, March 19, 123527/305), when Kress was serving as president of the Dallas school board, “fellow board members were calling then newspaper to denounce him as a racist and a bully. The fortunes of the reform movement and of Kress have risen together. He is one of the principal designers of No Child Left Behind, and has used his knowledge and connections to earn millions as a high-powered lobbyist for test publishers.”

Freelance reporter Emily Pyle researched Mr. Kress’s role in education, and she says: “If it seems peculiar that a system so good for business and so hard on public schools should also be packaged as the best answer for “disadvantaged” students, that’s the genius of Mr. Kress. Since returning to the high-profile lobbying firm, Kress has been teaching businesses to turn a profit helping schools meet the mandates of NCLB. In the process, he’s made about $4 million in lobbying contracts, in large part from companies that profit from provisions of the law.”

Emily Pyle also researched Kress’s relationship with Bush and the Dallas business community. Kress presented accountability to the school board in 1990 and the next year, he was elected to the school board. Black school board members saw accountability as an attempt to suppress extra money allotted to neglected black schools.

"As a paid consultant for the Governor’s Business Council, Kress traveled across the state pushing Bush’s education agenda," Pyle writes. "He also served as a board member of the Texas Business and Education Coalition, and a lobbyist for TBEC’s lobbying arm, Texans for Education. By 1998, Kress was working for Akin Gump. Through the firm, Kress held lobbying contracts for McGraw-Hill, the textbook publishing company that had long-standing personal ties to the Bush family. Kress was one of the architects of the Governor’s Reading Initiative, which eventually landed McGraw-Hill the lion’s share of the Texas textbook market."

And when Bush was elected, he took Kress with him. Kress re-designed Lyndon Johnson’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act in the Business Roundtable’s image, naming the new law No Child Left Behind. "The General Accounting Office predicts states will spend between $1.9 and $5.3 billion a year meeting the testing requirement of the law. But that’s only a fraction of the law’s costs; other provisions are even more expensive—and, to the suddenly burgeoning education industry, even more lucrative," Pyle writes.

To the private education-industry sector, Kress’s NCLB is unspeakably gorgeous, as Pyle explains: "No Child Left Behind requires states to produce ‘interpretive, descriptive, and diagnostic reports... that allow parents, teachers, and principals to understand and address the specific academic needs of students.’ Since few pretend that a standardized test given once a year can do anything so sophisticated, schools are finding they need separate ‘formative testing programs’ to meet the requirement. The formative testing model, according to the test publisher NCS Pearson, is to ‘teach, assess report, diagnose, and prescribe.’ Pearson, with other publishers, offers a full range of products for every step of the process."

But testing and assessment isn’t the only new revenue stream created by Kress’s NCLB. "Supplemental education services" represent a second stream, as Pyle notes: "Schools with high numbers of low-scoring students have three years to raise their scores before penalties kick in, and those are also expensive. The so-called ‘choice’ provision, with its passing resemblance to vouchers, has attracted media attention, but has proved unpopular so far. Only about 1 percent of eligible students made the transfer last year, according to data kept by the U.S. Department of Education. Instead, parents are taking advantage of another provision that requires low-performing schools to provide free after-school tutoring services, using a state-approved, ‘research-based’ tutoring program."

And "professional development" provides yet a third revenue stream: "The law also demands a highly qualified teacher in every classroom by the end of the 2006 school year. Though the definition of ‘highly qualified’ is vague, with states setting their own standards of quality, the requirement has opened up a new market in materials geared toward teachers. Most major publishers now offer professional development products and services, some of which provide general training in pedagogy, but many of which merely train teachers to use another of the publisher’s classroom products."

Then, Pyle puts two and two together, and she finds Kress – architect of Bush’s No Child Left Behind and designer of multiple revenue streams benefiting the biggest of business – holding the four with both hands. Pyle did her homework and filled in the gaps in Kress’s excellent adventure since NCLB was enacted.

What is the main perverse effect of No Child Left Behind?

Dailykos.com adds that a mounting body of evidence suggests the "Texas miracle" Sandy Kress used to sell accountability to the country is a sham. Critics point to Texas’ rising dropout rates and flagging scores on college entrance exams as signs that test-prep-centered teaching is taking its toll on kids—especially those who are black, Latino, or poor. Almost two out of five Texas high school students never earn a high school diploma, according to a report released this year by the Intercultural Development Research Association, which has tracked Texas dropout rates since 1986.

Dr. Albert Cortez, director of IDRA’s Institute of Policy and Leadership, explain that the tests, far from being a solution, have become part of the problem. Narrowed curriculum daunts some students into dropping out. Students who don’t think they’ll pass the high school test—a requirement for graduation—may stop going to school. Other researchers, including Dr. Angela Valenzuela of the University of Texas and Rice education professor Linda McNeil, say administrators under pressure to raise test scores may push potentially low-scoring students to drop out before the exam.

The main perverse effect of accountability then becomes obvious and the NCLB law is a "success": the children left behind are no longer left behind, because... they are bored and they leave!

Innovation '08

Scott Johnson — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 14:31:56 EST

As I'm writing this the Senate is voting (in a Saturday session!!!) on an Iraq resolution. While I think nonbinding resolutions accomplish little (I'd be surprised if anyone in the White House would even read it, much less take it to heart) perhaps it's a first step that will lead to more concrete action on the war. I believe Democrats are are approacing this far too timidly. We took over Congress because we oppose the war, the American people want to bring the troops home. So here's my message to the Democrats: Cut the funding!!! Don't let them paint you as not supporting the troops. The American people will not buy into that, they are smarter than Republicans give them credit for. Those voters that do buy into that logic constitute an insignificant minority that will shrink and shrink and by the time November 2008 rolls around it will consist of Laura Bush, Barney the dog, and possibly Ted Nugent, and other right-wing bambi killers of that sort.

Anyways, I came across this nice litte piece this afternoon. In contrast to the article by Dan Balz, this Washington Post coverage is exactly what we should expect. It's not dismissive or condecending and its not overly friendly either. It's an objective piece of reporting, and I'd like to commend Jose Antonio Vargas on his journalism and encourage him to give Mr. Balz some pointers. Mr. Vargas' article details how innovative this campaign is. While the groups on Facebook were created independent of the campaign it's an indicator of how excited people are, particularly the youth and student community, over Senator Obama's candidacy. Facebook, Myspace, etc. provide excellent forums for online social networking. Networking is the future of eletion politics in the 21st century. Senator Obama's campaign is the first presidential campaign to really comprehend the range of oppurtunities that the internet provides. I have no doubt that this will be the election where the student and youth vote finally turns out in large numbers, and when that happens it will surely mean an Obama victory.

P.S. I'd like to thank all of you that took the time to provide me with some feedback on my last post. I enjoyed reading your thoughts and suggestions and I would appreciate your continued comments.

P.P.S. If you haven't joined these Facebook groups please do so now: Barack Obama (One MIllion Strong for Barack) and Students for Barack Obama.