READ ANYTHNG GOOD?

What’s your favorite read on innovation and creativity?  What books or articles do you use for inspiration? Lots of words out there . . . what’s working for you?
Here are a few to get us started . . .

• Good article on changing schools to foment creativity and innovation (mentions Bricolage Academy in New Orleans)  http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679771/reinventing-education-to-teach-creativity-and-entrepreneurship
• The Creative Economy:  2008 United Nation report  http://unctad.org/en/docs/ditc20082cer_en.pdf
• The Gates Foundation loves Bill Gross’ Idea Lab in LA:  http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Personal/Big-Ideas-Big-Lessons-Bill-Gross-Idealab
• Afrigadget and the African Uptimist are great sources of news on African innovators and innovation:  http://agbe.typepad.com/the_african_uptimist/2008/06/congratulations.html

ENGINEERING: CHANGING THE CONVERSATION

For the future of engineering (and of our world) we need to attract a diverse group of people into engineering.    The National Academy of Engineers did a path breaking study a few years ago, called Changing the Conversation,  to find out what kind of messaging is most effective in attracting young people and making engineering appealing.
Here’s a website full of information, including links to the study — well worth reading — plus a tool kit and other helpful information:  http://www.engineeringmessages.org/   There is also now a Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/engineersCTC?ref=stream for Changing the Conversation where they post videos and other media that demonstrate effective messaging.   Here is today’s post, a video from a Canadian chapter of  Engineers Without Borders.

Engineers Changing the Conversation

 Engineers Serve The World (ESTW) Video. This narrator of this video begins by saying “the world is calling for a new kind of problem solver – I believe engineers can and willl change the world, by serving society.” It features a diverse group of student engineers involved in Engineers Without Borders-Canada, who describe engineers as “people people” who understand “how technology feeds into systems and societies.” Engineers “have a unique systems view” and are “fearless,” “flexible,” and “resourcesful,” they say; “engineers are ready to change the world.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb1MrCHlArE&feature=player_embedded