What would it be like to see life through someone else's eyes?
TED's released a gripping little trailer to Pangea Day that gives us a sample from the not-too-distant past:
The trailer's a play on the man-stops-tank scene from Tianamen Square almost 20 years ago. While the still shot of the scene of that lone man stopping the line of tanks on their way to Tianamen Square is burned brightly in my memory, the motion picture adds a new level of enormity to this brave act.
Take the sixty seconds to watch the trailer, then go to the web site: Pangea Day to see how you can participate on launch day, May 10, 2008.
Showing posts with label communication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label communication. Show all posts
Friday, February 29, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
testing recipes for America's Test Kitchen: it's over
I love to cook, and I also enjoy testing recipes and giving feedback and helping improve the ultimate product so others can create a fantastic dish (see my post on helping create the Good Home Cookbook). Volunteer recipe testing is a fun way I can collaborate with cooks across the country/world without actually sharing the same kitchen.
Along those same lines, for the last year or so I've been participating as a volunteer recipe tester for America's Test Kitchen (ATK). I'm a huge fan of the ATK shows, and I've got copies of their last five annual recipe books. I'm also a subscriber to Cook's Illustrated, the magazine produced every other month by the same staff. I find the ATK/Cook's Illustrated approach to teaching about food and cooking is a great combination of science, technique and, ultimately, delicious food.
Through the program, I've had the opportunity to test 23 different recipes
over the course of fifteen months, ranging from pear crisp to thin and crispy oatmeal cookies to rack of lamb. Along the way I discovered a fabulous scone recipe,
one for chilaquiles (tortilla casserole) and another simple yet
delicious one for sautéed spinach with lemon and garlic.
As an ATK recipe tester, I'd get a recipe in my email every few weeks or so asking me to test it and submit feedback on both the instructions and the results. There was never any pressure to submit results, but there was
always a time window in which they needed to hear back (typically: ten
days from receipt). Of the twenty-three recipes offered, I think I gave feedback on eight of them, and 0.347 is a good batting average in baseball, right?
In the last couple months, the recipes they've sent for testing were decidedly not in keeping with my weight-loss-and-exercise program getting ready for my first triathlon in April. So I haven't submitted feedback on recipes since, gulp, September.
So, I was a little wary this morning when I found an email from ATK titled "Friends of Cook's Program" instead of the usual "New Cooks Illustrated Recipe to Test." When I opened the email, my fears were confirmed, as this is what they had to say:
Perfectly in line with all the other experiences I've had with the folks at ATK/Cook's Illustrated, even this Dear John letter was classy. And I can now call myself a "veteran recipe tester."
If you're interested in becoming a recipe tester yourself, follow the link at the bottom of the ATK home page and sign up. If you've got even the slightest joy in cooking, it's a great experience (heck, I may just sign up again under a nom de cuisine).
Along those same lines, for the last year or so I've been participating as a volunteer recipe tester for America's Test Kitchen (ATK). I'm a huge fan of the ATK shows, and I've got copies of their last five annual recipe books. I'm also a subscriber to Cook's Illustrated, the magazine produced every other month by the same staff. I find the ATK/Cook's Illustrated approach to teaching about food and cooking is a great combination of science, technique and, ultimately, delicious food.
Through the program, I've had the opportunity to test 23 different recipes
over the course of fifteen months, ranging from pear crisp to thin and crispy oatmeal cookies to rack of lamb. Along the way I discovered a fabulous scone recipe,
one for chilaquiles (tortilla casserole) and another simple yet
delicious one for sautéed spinach with lemon and garlic.
As an ATK recipe tester, I'd get a recipe in my email every few weeks or so asking me to test it and submit feedback on both the instructions and the results. There was never any pressure to submit results, but there was
always a time window in which they needed to hear back (typically: ten
days from receipt). Of the twenty-three recipes offered, I think I gave feedback on eight of them, and 0.347 is a good batting average in baseball, right?
In the last couple months, the recipes they've sent for testing were decidedly not in keeping with my weight-loss-and-exercise program getting ready for my first triathlon in April. So I haven't submitted feedback on recipes since, gulp, September.
So, I was a little wary this morning when I found an email from ATK titled "Friends of Cook's Program" instead of the usual "New Cooks Illustrated Recipe to Test." When I opened the email, my fears were confirmed, as this is what they had to say:
Dear Friend,
Thank you for the contributions you have made as a recipe tester for America’s Test Kitchen. The information we receive through the recipe testing surveys is an invaluable asset in the development of recipes and the improvement of our publications. In an effort to continue to expand our understanding of the landscape our readers face while preparing recipes, we will be refreshing our list of testers and looking for input from new cooks.
As we update our lists, our veteran recipe testers will no longer receive new requests, as a way to allow newer members a chance to participate.
We appreciate your ongoing dedication to helping our publication's continued success.
Happy Cooking!
The Editors of Cook’s Illustrated
Thank you for the contributions you have made as a recipe tester for America’s Test Kitchen. The information we receive through the recipe testing surveys is an invaluable asset in the development of recipes and the improvement of our publications. In an effort to continue to expand our understanding of the landscape our readers face while preparing recipes, we will be refreshing our list of testers and looking for input from new cooks.
As we update our lists, our veteran recipe testers will no longer receive new requests, as a way to allow newer members a chance to participate.
We appreciate your ongoing dedication to helping our publication's continued success.
Happy Cooking!
The Editors of Cook’s Illustrated
Perfectly in line with all the other experiences I've had with the folks at ATK/Cook's Illustrated, even this Dear John letter was classy. And I can now call myself a "veteran recipe tester."
If you're interested in becoming a recipe tester yourself, follow the link at the bottom of the ATK home page and sign up. If you've got even the slightest joy in cooking, it's a great experience (heck, I may just sign up again under a nom de cuisine).
Thursday, February 07, 2008
seeing my dots on the Dopplr map
If you haven't yet signed up on Dopplr, you simply must go there immediately after reading this post to register and start using it. The Dopplr gang have created a great service that allows you to share your travel plans with friends and associates and find out when you'll be in the same city as they are be it at one another's home base or half way around the world.
And, over on the DopplrBlog, they've got a cool post on the roundup of Dopplr user statistics in 2007. The Dopplr gang refer to it as the Dopplr Raumzeitgeist or "Space Time Spirit" (that's the right translation, Dani?).
You'll have to read the post to get at all the numbers, but I found the map (minimized above, click through to see the bigger version) to be the most intriguing part of the report.
Why? Because I can make out the dots I contributed last year by while being a Dopplr user: San Francisco, Boston, Stockholm, Amsterdam, New York, Santa Fe, Seattle, Berlin, Kuala Lumpur. They're all there.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
RSS demystified by Howard Rheingold
Last week, I gave an informal brown bag session at work on how to use Google Reader to track information flows. I'm trying to convert folks here into leveraging RSS feeds to keep on top of things instead of our old-school ways of browsing sites checking to see if things have been updated.
I started off the session with Lee LeFever's CommonCraft show on RSS in Plain Text. And then I went on to demo Google Reader and how it worked and the advantages of sharing feeds and collaborative filtering, etc.
In hindsight, I didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, they learned a little, but not all I'd hoped.
And my assessment of my effectiveness was driven home yet again when I watched Howard Rheingold's recent vlog post: Introduction to RSS. He's a great teacher, and I can learn a lot from paying attention to the little things he does so well.
For one, Howard's setup of the problem is great:
Then Howard delivers the solution with a comprehensive walk through of how he uses Bloglines to track his RSS feeds.
Go watch Howard's vlog on RSS now. Your investing seven and a half minutes watching it now will be repaid handsomely as you cut down your time spent browsing and instead let the info flow to you.
I started off the session with Lee LeFever's CommonCraft show on RSS in Plain Text. And then I went on to demo Google Reader and how it worked and the advantages of sharing feeds and collaborative filtering, etc.
In hindsight, I didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, they learned a little, but not all I'd hoped.
And my assessment of my effectiveness was driven home yet again when I watched Howard Rheingold's recent vlog post: Introduction to RSS. He's a great teacher, and I can learn a lot from paying attention to the little things he does so well.
For one, Howard's setup of the problem is great:
Information is abundant.Howard starts the hunting and gathering part of in his day by reading blogs (many, many blogs) as the first level of his filtering the "unordered flow." And how he keeps up with 100s of blogs for this first level of filtering? via RSS.
Access to information is infinitely easy
Way-finding requires skill
Finding the information that matters and knowing why it matters in the unordered flow is probably the most important task and skill in my life.
Then Howard delivers the solution with a comprehensive walk through of how he uses Bloglines to track his RSS feeds.
Go watch Howard's vlog on RSS now. Your investing seven and a half minutes watching it now will be repaid handsomely as you cut down your time spent browsing and instead let the info flow to you.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
inspirations from a soldier's "in the event of my death" post
Maj Andrew Olmsted (a prolific blogger who blogged as Andrew in Iraq for the Rocky Mountain News) was killed in Iraq on Jan 3, 2008 when his team was ambushed (and became, possibly, the first American casualties of the year).
At his request, on the event of his death, blogger hilzoy has published a post authored by Maj Olmstead to the Obsidian Wings blog.
Honoring Maj Olmstead's request, I won't speak to the politics of his passing. I can, however, speak to the emotions of the posting. It's a heartbreaking read. I can only imagine how tough it was to write (he'd last revised the post in July 2007), yet I wonder
I don't even know how to start a similar "on the event of my death" letter, but I think I should try. At the very least, it'll show me where and on whom I need focus my energies.
Oh, and let me know when it's time to break out the onions.
POST-PUBLISH UPDATE: On a second reading of this (and an anonymous tip), I think I need to clarify why I feel the need to write my own "on the event of my death" letter. Maj Olmstead closed his letter admitting he "wasn't the greatest husband." God help me if I get to the end my letter saying I wish I'd been a better husband, a better father, a better son. If I do get close to writing something like that down, it's a sure sign my current priorities are way out of whack, and I'd better change them in a hurry. There's no excuse not to. When else will I get the chance?
"I am leaving this message for you because it appears I must leave sooner than I intended. I would have preferred to say this in person, but since I cannot, let me say it here."
At his request, on the event of his death, blogger hilzoy has published a post authored by Maj Olmstead to the Obsidian Wings blog.
What I don't want this to be is a chance for me, or anyone else, to be maudlin. I'm dead. That sucks, at least for me and my family and friends. But all the tears in the world aren't going to bring me back, so I would prefer that people remember the good things about me rather than mourning my loss. (If it turns out a specific number of tears will, in fact, bring me back to life, then by all means, break out the onions.)
Honoring Maj Olmstead's request, I won't speak to the politics of his passing. I can, however, speak to the emotions of the posting. It's a heartbreaking read. I can only imagine how tough it was to write (he'd last revised the post in July 2007), yet I wonder
I don't even know how to start a similar "on the event of my death" letter, but I think I should try. At the very least, it'll show me where and on whom I need focus my energies.
POST-PUBLISH UPDATE: On a second reading of this (and an anonymous tip), I think I need to clarify why I feel the need to write my own "on the event of my death" letter. Maj Olmstead closed his letter admitting he "wasn't the greatest husband." God help me if I get to the end my letter saying I wish I'd been a better husband, a better father, a better son. If I do get close to writing something like that down, it's a sure sign my current priorities are way out of whack, and I'd better change them in a hurry. There's no excuse not to. When else will I get the chance?
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Another shining example of DirecTV's ineptitude serving customers
So, after spending 15 minutes on the phone with DIrecTV's technical support the other day trying to find missing HD channels, I find the following email in my inbox:
Before deleting the email, I replied:
We'll see if I get anything but the standard bounce-back. Harrumph.
YOUR RECENT CALL TO DIRECTV
DIRECTV Account Number: REDACTED
January 1, 2008
Thomas K, thank you for your recent call to DIRECTV. Did you know that you can access your account information 24 hours a day by simply logging in at directv.com?
When you register your account online, you will be able to:
DIRECTV Account Number: REDACTED
January 1, 2008
Thomas K, thank you for your recent call to DIRECTV. Did you know that you can access your account information 24 hours a day by simply logging in at directv.com?
When you register your account online, you will be able to:
- Pay your DIRECTV bill or sign up for Auto Bill Pay
- Upgrade your programming or hardware
- Order Pay Per View movies and events
- Update your email subscriptions
Visit directv.com and take advantage of 24-hour online access.
You are receiving this email as a result of your recent phone call with a DIRECTV customer service representative. DIRECTV reserves the right to contact you via email regarding business transactions.
You are receiving this email as a result of your recent phone call with a DIRECTV customer service representative. DIRECTV reserves the right to contact you via email regarding business transactions.
Before deleting the email, I replied:
YOUR RECENT EMAIL TO ME
DIRECTV Account Number: REDACTED
January 2, 2008
DirecTV, thank you for your recent email. Did you know you can check your very own account lists to find out I've already registered my account online?
Please take a look at your call files to see why, exactly, I spoke with your customer service representative (it was for technical support with the HD DVR) before emailing non-germaine information again.
Respectfully yours,
Thomas
DIRECTV Account Number: REDACTED
January 2, 2008
DirecTV, thank you for your recent email. Did you know you can check your very own account lists to find out I've already registered my account online?
Please take a look at your call files to see why, exactly, I spoke with your customer service representative (it was for technical support with the HD DVR) before emailing non-germaine information again.
Respectfully yours,
Thomas
We'll see if I get anything but the standard bounce-back. Harrumph.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Twitter connections in KL
Funny how small this world is.
Until today, I'd only known Nancy (Choconancy1 on Flickr) from Twitter, with a minimal sprinkling of Facebook and phone. Our work has us running in the same circles of people but until we met here in Kuala Lumpur.
Based on tweets, we knew we'd both be in KL at the same time attending the same conference, so bumping into each other was inevitable.
However, in a break between meetings, I tweeted I was about to go visit Central Market here in KL to prop up the local economy. Nancy caught the news and tweeted back to ask if she could join.
10 minutes later, we met in the lobby of my hotel and hopped a cab with my friend Sanjeev and were on our way. Nancy snapped this picture during the rain-soaked cab ride back to the hotel and uploaded our tale to her Flickr stream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/choconancy/).
And now we've got photographic proof how the world gets smaller every day.
Until today, I'd only known Nancy (Choconancy1 on Flickr) from Twitter, with a minimal sprinkling of Facebook and phone. Our work has us running in the same circles of people but until we met here in Kuala Lumpur.
Based on tweets, we knew we'd both be in KL at the same time attending the same conference, so bumping into each other was inevitable.
However, in a break between meetings, I tweeted I was about to go visit Central Market here in KL to prop up the local economy. Nancy caught the news and tweeted back to ask if she could join.
10 minutes later, we met in the lobby of my hotel and hopped a cab with my friend Sanjeev and were on our way. Nancy snapped this picture during the rain-soaked cab ride back to the hotel and uploaded our tale to her Flickr stream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/choconancy/).
And now we've got photographic proof how the world gets smaller every day.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
using blackberry 8830 in asia
I'm here in Kuala Lumpur and very happy to see my Verizon Wireless Blackberry 8830 is working like a charm: both voice and data work smoothly via the "my celcom" network in downtown KL.
It also worked just fine at Singapore's Changi Airport in transit here.
I was surprised, however, to find out that the data network does NOT work at the Hong Kong airport. There was a weak voice signal there in the terminal, but absolutely no data stream available for email or web browsing.
Maybe it was a fluke the morning I passed through (Dec 8 at 7am)? I doubt it, though.
In any case, I'll be trying again on Dec 14 when I fly home. Unless I post differently, you've been warned not to expect data on your BB 8830 in the Hong Kong airport.
Don't get me wrong. In all, I'm still pleased with the phone. I'm just surprised at what constitutes a "world edition."
It also worked just fine at Singapore's Changi Airport in transit here.
I was surprised, however, to find out that the data network does NOT work at the Hong Kong airport. There was a weak voice signal there in the terminal, but absolutely no data stream available for email or web browsing.
Maybe it was a fluke the morning I passed through (Dec 8 at 7am)? I doubt it, though.
In any case, I'll be trying again on Dec 14 when I fly home. Unless I post differently, you've been warned not to expect data on your BB 8830 in the Hong Kong airport.
Don't get me wrong. In all, I'm still pleased with the phone. I'm just surprised at what constitutes a "world edition."
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
BMW 3-series subframe cracks: class action evidence?
If you own an e46 model BMW (a 3-series manufactured between 1999 and 2005), you may want to take a look at this investigation about subframe cracks that the attorneys at Wasserman, Comden and Casselman LLP are undertaking:
The posting at WWC Law also contains pictures of the problem they've collected so far.
While I haven't yet had any problems with my own car (it's been a dream), this is a good opportunity for crowdsourcing of evidence that can help us all. If you have any evidence that might help in the case, please contact the folks at WWCLaw.
A class action lawsuit has been filed which alleges that the manufacturing and/or design defect includes a weak or insufficient floor panel in the unibody of the vehicle that causes, among other things, cracking in the floor pan and misalignment, cracking or the complete or partial failure of the rear subframe of the vehicle. Plaintiffs are informed and believe that the rear mounting points for the subframe rip out from their spots in the sheet metal because the rear differential transmits the torsional load from the engine through the subframe, then into the chassis.
The posting at WWC Law also contains pictures of the problem they've collected so far.
While I haven't yet had any problems with my own car (it's been a dream), this is a good opportunity for crowdsourcing of evidence that can help us all. If you have any evidence that might help in the case, please contact the folks at WWCLaw.
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