The tragedy at Fort Hood casts a dark, wide shadow, and it behooves us—as a nation, as individuals, and as global citizens—to ponder the plight of those who are afflicted by violence, whether on American soil or anywhere in the world. But keep in mind that the shadows will pass, and that even in death there is the opportunity for learning. To see what we learned this week, head here.

Learning Jobs
Cities could enable job descriptions to grow or expand to convert low-wage, low-value work into high-wage, high value work. For example, a “garbage collector” could become a “waste management consultant”—beyond the menial work typically associated with the job description, they would learn to be street-scapers, environmentalists, and more through job-relevant training. The expectation is that people can and should broaden the scope of their work to make an impact. Part of this program is…

Earlier this year, we started running new collections of photos from prominent and up-and-coming photographers who are exploring the world in interesting ways. We call them Picture Shows, and each Wednesday we feature a new artist’s work. So far we’ve run 37 of these Picture Shows, which have offered visual explorations on a range of topics: the closing of a GM plant in Ohio, the contents of strangers’ refrigerators, and the way of life in…

Google Analytics for Learning
Cities should measure the impact of learning more closely, because education reduces unemployment and poverty and creates a greater culture of ingenuity—producing jobs and individual entrepreneurs. The city and its citizens should use better analytics to make it clear why investments in learning and the learning infrastructure more than pays for themselves. Learning solves problems.

This is part eight of a continuing brainstorm on the future of cities, inaugurated at the Velocity conference in September 2009. We’ll post a new idea each day until we run out,…

As the home of the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, the city of Medellín, Colombia, used to be one of the most violent places in the world. Today, the cells and grounds of its Bellavista prison are largely populated with people who grew up in and around the city. It’s an intimidating place, to say the least, yet as is evident in the images of Vance Jacobs’s photographic series “Colombian Prison: A View from the…

Approximately two-thirds of the United States’ adult population is overweight. This is because, on average, adults in the United States are eating upwards of 3,500 calories each day, when 2,000 calories a day is plenty for an active adult. Both types of foods, and the amount of daily calories an adult chooses to consume can have a significant impact on their health, as you can see by the distribution of calories in diets around the…

Served to Serving
Cities should enable people who traditionally need social services to provide other services. By understanding the needs of a community and matching needs with capable talent, cities could provide an opportunity for productivity, pride, and dignity through service, and solve many challenges in the city.

This is part seven of a continuing brainstorm on the future of cities, inaugurated at the Velocity conference in September 2009. We’ll post a new idea each day until we run…

Buildings are actually responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than cars. But simply weatherizing houses and businesses can reduce their environmental impact and lower energy bills—while creating new jobs in the process. Everyone wins.

Created in partnership with Green for All, a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy, strong enough to lift people out of poverty. For more information on programs near you, visit www.greenforall.org.

As the world gets closer to the COP15 Climate Change conference, it’s important to look at from where the emissions around the world are coming. In the last year, some countries have started  to clean up their act, while other countries continue to pump out carbon dioxide. Our latest Transparency is a look at the five highest emitters in each region of the world as of 2007 and whether they have increased or decreased both…

Mentor Matchmaker
A matchmaking algorithm and profiling system could connect people as cohorts in learning, as well as with mentors, tutors, curriculum options, and learning and career/apprenticeship opportunities. Almost anyone can be a mentor. A 3rd grader can mentor a 1st grader, a 20-year-old can mentor an 80-year-old. There would be something and someone for every learner through the matchmaker system.

This is part six of a continuing brainstorm on the future of cities, inaugurated at the Velocity conference in…

The tragedy at Fort Hood casts a dark, wide shadow, and it behooves us—as a nation, as individuals, and as global citizens—to ponder the plight of those who are afflicted by violence, whether on American soil or anywhere in the world. But keep in mind that the shadows will pass, and that even in death there is the opportunity for learning. To see what we learned this week, head here.

Learning Jobs
Cities could enable job descriptions to grow or expand to convert low-wage, low-value work into high-wage, high value work. For example, a “garbage collector” could become a “waste management consultant”—beyond the menial work typically associated with the job description, they would learn to be street-scapers, environmentalists, and more through job-relevant training. The expectation is that people can and should broaden the scope of their work to make an impact. Part of this program is…

Earlier this year, we started running new collections of photos from prominent and up-and-coming photographers who are exploring the world in interesting ways. We call them Picture Shows, and each Wednesday we feature a new artist’s work. So far we’ve run 37 of these Picture Shows, which have offered visual explorations on a range of topics: the closing of a GM plant in Ohio, the contents of strangers’ refrigerators, and the way of life in…

Google Analytics for Learning
Cities should measure the impact of learning more closely, because education reduces unemployment and poverty and creates a greater culture of ingenuity—producing jobs and individual entrepreneurs. The city and its citizens should use better analytics to make it clear why investments in learning and the learning infrastructure more than pays for themselves. Learning solves problems.

This is part eight of a continuing brainstorm on the future of cities, inaugurated at the Velocity conference in September 2009. We’ll post a new idea each day until we run out,…

As the home of the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, the city of Medellín, Colombia, used to be one of the most violent places in the world. Today, the cells and grounds of its Bellavista prison are largely populated with people who grew up in and around the city. It’s an intimidating place, to say the least, yet as is evident in the images of Vance Jacobs’s photographic series “Colombian Prison: A View from the…

Approximately two-thirds of the United States’ adult population is overweight. This is because, on average, adults in the United States are eating upwards of 3,500 calories each day, when 2,000 calories a day is plenty for an active adult. Both types of foods, and the amount of daily calories an adult chooses to consume can have a significant impact on their health, as you can see by the distribution of calories in diets around the…

Served to Serving
Cities should enable people who traditionally need social services to provide other services. By understanding the needs of a community and matching needs with capable talent, cities could provide an opportunity for productivity, pride, and dignity through service, and solve many challenges in the city.

This is part seven of a continuing brainstorm on the future of cities, inaugurated at the Velocity conference in September 2009. We’ll post a new idea each day until we run…

Buildings are actually responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than cars. But simply weatherizing houses and businesses can reduce their environmental impact and lower energy bills—while creating new jobs in the process. Everyone wins.

Created in partnership with Green for All, a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy, strong enough to lift people out of poverty. For more information on programs near you, visit www.greenforall.org.

As the world gets closer to the COP15 Climate Change conference, it’s important to look at from where the emissions around the world are coming. In the last year, some countries have started  to clean up their act, while other countries continue to pump out carbon dioxide. Our latest Transparency is a look at the five highest emitters in each region of the world as of 2007 and whether they have increased or decreased both…

Mentor Matchmaker
A matchmaking algorithm and profiling system could connect people as cohorts in learning, as well as with mentors, tutors, curriculum options, and learning and career/apprenticeship opportunities. Almost anyone can be a mentor. A 3rd grader can mentor a 1st grader, a 20-year-old can mentor an 80-year-old. There would be something and someone for every learner through the matchmaker system.

This is part six of a continuing brainstorm on the future of cities, inaugurated at the Velocity conference in…