You can learn about so many things on the internet, but how much more powerful would it be if you could also DO after you learned stuff? From living walls and folding cars to printing houses and building time machines, we have things for you to learn and do from this past week.
Let’s Learn First:
A Quick Look into the Science of Time
Scientists have confirmed, several times, that the speed at which time passes is both variable and malleable. We can speed it up. We can slow it down. In fact, you do so every day without knowing it.
A DO Suggestion? Build your own time machine.
The Year of the (Green) Dragon: China’s Burgeoning Environmental Movement
The most important environmental story coming out of China this year is not the treatment of workers at the iPad plant, or whatever journalistic ethics were compromised in the reporting of it, but the meteoric rise of grassroots environmental groups in the country.
A DO Suggestion? Make your home more environmentally friendly. Rebuild with Energy Star and WaterSense.
The Easiest New Year’s Resolution Everyone Should Do
With our lives becoming more digital each day it’s essential we start taking some precautions. You don’t have to tackle every step at once, or even in order, every bit makes your digital world a bit more secure—so start today with at least one of these steps.
A DO Suggestion? Change all your online passwords now.
A Tiny, Fold-up Electric Car Will Hit Streets This Year
The Hiriko Fold, an electric car that originally began as a research project at MIT, is tiny—smaller than Daimler’s smart car. But the Hiriko can go even tinier…
A DO Suggestion? If it makes sense for you to have a tiny car like the Hiriko Fold, start budgeting for it.
Intermission: Fireworks in Reverse
New Year’s Eve in Melbourne, Australia. Did they also do the countdown to midnight in reverse?
A DO Suggestion? Film a minute of your day and edit it in reverse.
What Do You Want to Learn in 2013? Google’s Resolution Map Could Help You Figure it Out
We all know how important it is to be a “constant learner” or a “lifelong learner.” That makes it especially nice to see education as one of seven resolution categories on Google’s impressive New Year’s Resolution map.
A DO Suggestion? Add your new year’s resolution to Google’s New Year’s Resolution map.
New Living Walls Use ‘Biological Concrete’ to Reduce CO2
Spain’s a leader in plant-covered walls. Now, Spanish researchers at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) have taken the walls a step further…
A DO Suggestion? Make moss graffiti.
This Theater Has Seats for Tweeters—So Should These Businesses
The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis has special “Tweet Seats,” where smartphone addicts can hang out, check in and tweet. What other businesses could benefit from special sections for smartphone and/or laptop users?
A DO Suggestion? Write a letter to your local theater or sports venue, telling them the benefits of having tweet seats.
‘Print Your House’ Coming Soon? Architecture and Fabrication
Check out Architizer‘s roundup of self-building architecture, giant 3D printers, blood bricks, and of course, robots, robots, robots.
A DO Suggestion? Print a house on WikiHouse.
In Search of Ed Tech Ideas that Reimagine Learning
Through the 2013 Small Business Innovation Research Program, the U.S. Department of Education is looking to fund a slew of innovative education technology prototypes for five high-need sectors.
A DO Suggestion? Make your proposal by February 5, 2013.
People Are Awesome: Man Moves in With Parents So a Homeless Family Can Live in His House
Tony Tolbert gave his home—rent free and fully furnished for an entire year—to a homeless family. And he’s moving back in with his parents so he can do it. Watch the inspiring video.
A DO Suggestion? Donate something you need on a regular basis to someone that’s more in need of it.
This Massive Land Art Portrait Fights for Human Rights in Central America
Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada has created the largest portrait ever installed on Dutch soil.
A DO Suggestion? Make your own street art.
Is the Crowd a Feasible Design Partner?
We are a long way from knowing how to harness larger production teams effectively. Of the many things that may work, Ele Jansen suggests four attributes that we should dare more in collaborative design.
A DO Suggestion? Facilitate your own collaborative design workshop.
Intermission: Those Crafty Dutch To Unveil Ultra Green Route 66 of the Future
The Netherlands is installing a futuristic highway in mid-2013 that will improve road safety and save energy, complete with glow-in-the-dark markings, temperature-responsive paint, and interactive lights. Watch the video.
A DO Suggestion? Sign the petition that asks the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration to adopt this technology in the United States.
Now, let’s DO the DOs:
Make a Promise To Yourself and Others: Order Promise Cards From “Because I Said I Would”
Alex Sheen founded because I said I would to encourage people to make promises for the betterment of humanity, in memory of his father. Message him for your free because I said I would cards. Make a promise to yourself and others.
Rich Block, Poor Block: Find the Range of Income in Your Neighborhood
What did you find? Sitegeist can tell you even more.
Share This Film with Someone Who Cares About the Future of Public Schools
Curious about how we can transform schools together? Check out this video and share it with others.
Send a Postcard on National Opt Out Day, January 7th
Send postcards to your state department of education, superintendent, neighbor or senator – everyone you can think of – and express your disatisfaction with high stakes standardized testing.
When Ordering Delivery Food, Avoid Places Using Styrofoam
If you’re ordering delivery, it only takes a moment to ask, “Do you use styrofoam containers?”
Help Get Car Horns on Bicycles to Prevent Accidents
Please support a Kickstarter project that makes bicycle horns sound like car horns.
Start a Campaign To Ban Plastic Bottles in Your City
Concord, Massachusetts just banned the sale of 1 liter (or less) plastic water bottles. Start a campaign to ban the sale of plastic bottles in your city.
Make a New Year’s UnResolution
Sometimes the best Do is preceded by one word: “Don’t.” Echoing Green asks you to identify one thing you can cut out of your work life to make more room for social impact.
Illustration by Jessica De Jesus. Image from How to Build Plans.
