Out of the box. That’s what we think of when someone asks us what creativity is. Actually, it’s often just a different way of thinking. We are trained to think in linear fashion- so we never consider the nonlinear approaches whatsoever. That’s what schooling teaches- to answer the questions in a linear, step-by-step fashion.
Category Archives: Technology
Innovation needs…
We need to innovate! Are you tired of hearing that? I am- not because the sentiment is wrong, but because those saying it often have not a clue as to what to do- or, in many cases, what is innovation. I discussed this, as have many others. (Innovation needs innovators, Go and Create, Innovation is the key, among others of my posts that cover this topic. Use the search feature on the right of my blog, looking for ‘innovat’ and you will find many more.)
Doc- is that all you’re gonna do?
What do Rafeal Soriano (New York Yankees), Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings), and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) have in common? They all rely (or have relied) on the services of a renowned orthopaedic and sports physician, Dr. James Andrews, from Gulf Breeze Florida. His clinic, The Andrews Institute, founded in concert with Baptist Health Care, works with students and professionals, as well as effects research and provides education to patients and physicians. His newest research is bound to throw sports professionals for a loop- and probably many of us ‘regular’ folks, as well. Continue reading Doc- is that all you’re gonna do?
A test? Did you say a test?
Many of you know that I still have a child in college. (Go Wolverines!) And, given his course load, his extracurricular activities, and the fact that he is just out of teenager, study habits are still a topic of discussion. What is the best way to study? (I will leave my own habits on the back burner; I am the anomaly.) Continue reading A test? Did you say a test?
Don’t just stand there- DO SOMETHING!
Last week, we discussed how companies are complaining they can’t find qualified employees. When, it’s more like they can’t find qualified employees at the decreased pay scale they offer. But, that’s not true for everyone of those big companies.
Freedom. A movie about Energy.
Last night (it is now 4:59 AM on the 27th of October), I had the opportunity to see a screening of a new movie- Freedom. This semi-documentary was directed and produced by Rebecca and Josh Tickell. And, no, it’s not about the Bill of Rights, but about the use and production of ethanol fuels in the United States.
Science Fiction eventually becomes Science Fact
Did you ever see Minority Report? The wonderful short story by Philip Dick, made into a movie by Steven Spielberg? Where the police arrest people for thinking about perpetrating a crime in the greater DC area? Well, it’s not science fiction any more! Not if you live in Santa Cruz…
Continue reading Science Fiction eventually becomes Science Fact
A Brave New World?
About a 1000 years ago (in computer/biotech years), no medical tests were automated. Everything was done by hand. Almost everything involved wet chemistry or wet microbiology. Until the early 1970’s, when a big hulking device was developed for and marketed by Corning (then Corning Glass Works)- the LARC- the leukocyte automatic recognition classifier. This amazing device was able to discern the percentage of leukocytes on a blood smear and classify them into six types- at a then unheard of rate of 100 cells a minute.
Innovation needs Innovators
We keep hearing from our government that America has be innovative; we need to create new things. Innovation is, indeed, a vital component of economic progress. It is the driver for growth, for more competitive offerings among companies and countries, and a means for the creator (more typically, the creator’s company) to prosper. The problem is you really can’t engineer innovation. The most you can do is to increase the odds of it occurring.
SLIPS sliding away…
Blood sucker. That’s right- a real blood sucker. Neventhes. A carniverous plant, found in the tropics of the Old World (an area ranging from China to Australia to Sri Lanka). These plants have a narrow stem (1 cm or so), but can reach 15 m in length.