Category Archives: Present

Efficiency-Boosting Tech & the End of Boredom

By Simone | Published: July 10, 2011

I was watching this video on Tesco’s smart idea of making it possible for people to buy groceries on their phones while waiting for trains… … when it hit me just how much modern tech enables us to maximize every second of our lives. This Friday night, for example, I found myself stranded for an [...]

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Mexican Pointy Boots and Modern Pelts

By Simone | Published: April 16, 2011

While I’ve fallen down the gamification rabbit hole and have spent the past month and a half studying game mechanics and funware instead of blogging, I still have an eye out for fun new trends and the like. One of my favorites is the Mexican pointy boots trend.  About two years ago now, a bunch [...]

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Is the Singularity Going Mainstream?

By Simone | Published: March 13, 2011

The technological singularity is without a doubt a major point of focus for many futurists who believe in the world-changing breakthrough will come to pass.  Though I am accustomed to encountering the term “singularity” only in science fiction, I have noticed it popping up in the media more and more. One example of the singularity [...]

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The Complexity of Influencers – A New Documentary

By Simone | Published: October 9, 2010

This fall, a new documentary on tastemakers is coming out.  Influencers, a short film directed by Paul Rojanathara and Davis Johnson, focuses on the social and cultural power of prominent New York City-based creatives working in advertising, design, fashion, and the like. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the film, but want to point out [...]

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Trends in Communication: Social Stenography

By Simone | Published: October 4, 2010

Via the top drawer curation of Kyle Cameron Studstill, I came across a most fascinating post on Social Stenography a couple of weeks back. Danah Boyd, a researcher at Microsoft Research New England, describes social stenography as hiding in plain sight, and gives the example of a teenager who is “creating a message that can [...]

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Trend Spotting Book Review: Generations

By Simone | Published: April 7, 2010

There are only so many books in the world capable of revolutionizing the way one views people and trends. Generations is one of these rare treasures. This 538-page tome co-authored by William Strauss and Neil Howe, lays the foundation of a fascinating theory about generational, social, and political patterns and trends in the United States.

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The Consequences of Modernity: A Conversation With Sean Miller

By Simone | Published: April 1, 2010

Sean Miller is the Director of Education at Earth Day Network. With a BA in Psychology and Philosophy, Master’s Degrees in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Education, and experience with not only environmental activism, but also teaching and curriculum development, Sean has a lot of interesting things to say about modern life.

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Academic Inflation

By Simone | Published: December 9, 2009

In 2006, TED posted footage of a Ken Robinson talk on why schools kill creativity. The discussion is very interesting overall, but what struck me as particularly interesting was Robinson’s reference to academic inflation. Academic inflation refers to the fact that degrees are losing value, just as a currencies do.  As more people are graduating [...]

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Internet Memes

By Simone | Published: May 12, 2009

OMG, guys- I just found a super nifty site for internet memes and BOY does it ever save time!!  Their explanations are fabulous.  Check these out! Know Your Meme is a spinoff of Rocketboom that acts as a database of various internet memes.  They offer video shorts as well as concise written explanations, complete with images and links.  [...]

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