... seeking simple answers to complex problems, and in the process, disrupting the status quo in technology, art and neuroscience.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Making Ideas Happen




I've been told I'm fairly critical, which I suppose is one reason I don't recommend many books.  "Making Ideas Happen" is an exception.  If you do any creative or project development, it WILL be of value.

Each year I walk the floor at CES just to keep tabs on all the new gadgets.  This year I encountered something different.  Scott Belsky was giving a lecture out in the open booth area.  I'd never heard of him but stopped a minute to listen, expecting to quickly dismiss the speaker and presentation - just another sip from the fire hose.

But Scott captured my attention immediately.  And it got better from there.  What he was saying not only made sense, some were things I'd been doing for years.  And the rest were worth considering.  I stayed for the whole presentation then ordered his book.

"Making Ideas Happen" is not a collection of original ideas.  Many you've heard about in the management press from others such as stand at meetings, prioritize your task list and own your actions. Scott didn't invent this stuff - he gathered it.  His objective was to collect the best ideas from those who have succeeded at translating ideas into reality.  The book's value is in how Scott has collected and arranged these ideas into a system for their application in a terse, meaty way.

While you may not agree with everything (I didn't), most of it is valuable to at least think about.  For instance, group-think, killing ideas or leaving things undefined as long as possible, will challenge some, but it may also help them keep an opened mind.

"Making Ideas Happen" is a VERY practical book, not new-aged fluff.  It's a quick read and well organized.  It's also easy to pull the main points into a few quotes, so you can keep them in front of your face until adopted.  Or discarded.

I was going to post a list of my favorite points here, but realize your list may vary, and there's no advantage in giving you a bias, unless it's to action.  Speaking last in meetings is also on the list - so I'll honor the concept, and let YOU have the last word.  Check out the book and let me know what you think.


Saturday, May 14, 2011

Stone Soup 2011 - June 10th, 11th & 12th

Stone Soup 2011 - June 10th, 11th & 12th - Canceled to to PermaBog on June 5th.


With the Temple under construction, and all the other Burner projects in development, it's going to be a busy summer in Reno.  So before things get TOO crazy, come out to Stone Soup at PermaBurn, do a brain-flush and get your head clear.

http://suddendisruption.blogspot.com/search/label/Stone%20Soup

For those who haven't been to PermaBurn,  It's literally a square mile of grass and sage not far off highway 395 in northern California.  It's owned by it's members - PermaBurn Collective LLC.  Once a year we host an unofficial Burner camp-out to provide a space to express yourself.

http://permaburn.org/

Stone Soup is an excellent opportunity to get out of your context and do some strategic planning for that big Burner project you have in mind.  Better yet, come out and stage your prototype in a tolerant environment instead of disturbing your neighbors.  Or just come out and enjoy the music and weekend with Burners.

This year we have a head start.  The two new domes set up last September are complete and in place just waiting for you to express yourself with covers and content.  One will house the music venue, the other food prep and chill space.  Come out an help us give them some character.

It's time to go camping!

What:  Stone Soup Burner Camp-out
When: June 10th, 11th and 12th, 2011
Where: PermaBurn - 60 miles north of Susanville just off highway 395
Cost: $0 - just RSVP so we can plan accordingly

Directions to PermaBurn:

http://suddendisruption.blogspot.com/search/label/PermaBurn%20Directions

Stone Soup, the Reno / Tahoe unauthorized Burner camp-out is being organized.  What morsel will you be in this yummy stew?

Email:

sudden.net at gmail.com

...or post your plans to the FaceBook page so we can coordinate resources:

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_182167450567

Rod Coleman
--
aka Yum!
aka Bonobo
aka Zen Heretic
aka Sudden Disruption
and Burning Man Regional Contact
Explore the Sudden-Centric Cyberverse...
http://www.sudden.net

"Explore and Express"

"Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem




You may have heard that if you take all the economists in the world and place them end to end, they still wouldn't reach a conclusion.  Well, in this case they DO.  And they do it musically.  Here's an excellent example of turning a difficult topic into fun.







"Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem

And version two is even better: