William "Red" Whittaker, a world-class roboticist, likes projects that "border on the unachievable." To cross this border, it's essential to first unlearn your idea of what's achievable. One strategy Whittaker employs is to "plunge into production by trial and error, rather than seeking the perfect design." In other words, Whittaker practices intentional imperfection.
Osama Bin Laden and the Curious Case of Seeing What Isn’t There
May 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The big breakthrough in finding Osama Bin Laden came when intelligence analysts first noticed the million dollar compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan didn't have internet access. Next, the analysts observed the occupants never took their garbage to the street (like the other neighbors did) and instead preferred to burn it inside the compound. Finally, they knew [...]
Unlearning the Grid
March 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I'm in Eugene, Oregon today to give the keynote presentation at the conference celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Eugene Water and Electricity Board. The gist of my message is that as impressive as progress has been in the past century it will pale in comparison to what is coming in the next two decades. [...]
The Key to a Successful Marriage? Maybe a Little Spark.
March 9, 2011 By 1 Comment
Maybe the key to a successful marriage isn't knowing your spouse so well you can finish his/her sentences but, instead, encouraging them to pursue new passions so that they will continue to speak in sentences you can't finish. Sometimes, all it takes to keep an old flame going is a little spark. Related Post Spot [...]
10 Things Worthy of Teaching in Kindergarten
March 6, 2011 By 3 Comments
10. Teachers (and other experts) can be wrong. 9. Questions are better than answers. 8. Problems can have multiple solutions. 7. If something goes without saying, question it. 6. The opposite may also be true. 5. Certain things can be true and false at the same time. 4. Adults see and hear the world differently [...]
An Idea So Bad It’s Good
March 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert cartoon, recently had a brilliant article in the Wall Street Journal in which he explained how he sometimes jump starts his creative process by employing "the bad version." Here's how he explains the idea: I spent some time working in the television industry, and I learned a technique [...]
