Cutting Edge: 9/19/07

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Articles
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Do You Recognize These 10 Mental Blocks to Creative Thinking?
http://www.copyblogger.com/mental-blocks-creative-thinking/

Cutting Edge Abstract: Rather than looking for ways to inspire creativity, you should just realize the truth.
Why it's important: What are some of the best ways to strip away the mental blocks that inhibit creativity?

How to Market to Teens: Keep It Real and Simple
http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/solutions/advertising/article.php/3699986

Cutting Edge Abstract: Be Authentic, Create Some Buzz & Keep it Simple are a few suggestions to market to the $80 billion dollar teen market.
Why it's important: If one quarter of teen spending is done online, what's the best way to cater to their habits?

… a Roomba is One of my Favorite Things
http://www.adaptivepath.com/blog/2007/09/18/a-roomba-is-one-of-my-favorite-things/

Cutting Edge Abstract: Customers become emotionally attached to their technology.
Why it's important: How can an individual's emotional attachment to a product open a door to promotion?

Unconsumption
http://www.murketing.com/journal/?p=287

Cutting Edge Abstract: How to get rid of things that have outlived their life-span.
Why it's important: To what extent should companies consider what becomes of their products after they are used up?

How companies can make the most of user-generated content
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/article_page.aspx?ar=2041&l2=16&l3=16

Cutting Edge Abstract: A look at how users contribute online content.
Why it's important: What inspires users to contribute and more importantly how can it be used intelligently?


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Tools
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Mechanical Turk - complete simple tasks that people do better than computers.
http://www.mturk.com/mturk/welcome

Mint - manage money online
http://www.mint.com/

oSkope - visual search agent
http://oskope.com/

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Events
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9/20/07 - Planning For Good - IDEA Challenge Brief - use social networking to collaborate with others and help further a good cause
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4736469785

9/21/07 - National Park (ing) Day- an opportunity to reclaim public parking spaces for parks and open spaces - places for people to enjoy.
http://www.parkingday.org/


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Videos of the Week :
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Social networks for healthcare
http://money.cnn.com/video/#/video/business2/2007/08/30/b2.disruptors.sermo.cnnmoney

SF Bus Stop Rave Flash Mobs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktm-LxCoe_I&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Flaughingsquid%2Ecom%2F

Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfU-4Y4_akY

We Are All Monkeys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a15KgyXBX24


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Website of the Week :
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Caveman's Crib
http://www.cavemanscrib.com/


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Pictures of the Week:
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Paper Art
http://bertc.com/subfour/ss/singleSheet.htm

Guinness coaster reflection art


















Sewer Art in Sao Paulo


















Take Back Urban Spaces (by creating mini parks in leu of parking spaces in SF)

CUTTING EDGE: Highlights of the Week 9/8

Highlights of the Week


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Articles
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Influence Ripples + Social Media Fragmentation
http://blog.futurelab.net/2007/09/influence_ripples_social_media.html

Cutting Edge Abstract: "Newer social media landscapes involves content, community and conversation happening at multiple venues, times and with a varied degree of reach."
Why it's important: What is a comprehensive marketing campaign?

No Car Day
http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/09/04/no-car-day-in-china/

Cutting Edge Abstract: Sept 22 has been declared no car day in China & a 3rd of all vehicles will be ordered off the road.
Why it's important: How would your life change if you were banned from driving?

Bike Dispensing Machines
http://www.thecoolhunter.net/lifestyle/Bike-Vending-Machines/

Cutting Edge Abstract: How to make bikes publicly available?
Why it's important: Where else can we apply the Zip Car model?

Radical Honesty
http://www.esquire.com/print-this/honesty0707?x

Cutting Edge Abstract: Everybody would be happier if we just stopped lying.
Why it's important: Why not always tell the truth?

Wii Continues To Innovate
http://brainsells.blogspot.com/2007/08/wii-continues-to-innovate.html

Cutting Edge Abstract: Nintendo opens up the gaming system to indie developers.
Why it's important: What effect does extending your business to your consumers have?

MTV So Irrelevant It's Looking to Broadway for a Boost
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2007/09/mtv_so_irrelevant_its_looking.html

Cutting Edge Abstract: MTV is playing catch up with other technology initiatives.
Why it's important: Is MTV a dying brand?

How to Bring a City to Life: Urban Street Art
http://thisisclutch.blogspot.com/2007/09/urban-street-art.html

Cutting Edge Abstract: Julian Beever paints the streets of San Francisco
Why it's important: What's the importance of being continuously visually stimulated?


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Tools
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40 Unusual Websites
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/40-unusual-websites-you-should-bookmark/

Grooveshark - P2P music trading that shares revenue with uploaders
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/09/07/grooveshark-drmfree.html

Sunday - your own personal assistant.
http://www.asksunday.com/

Google Reader Search - Search your blogs & RSS feeds
http://www.google.com/reader/

Best Web Awards
http://www.bestwebawards.com/

New Video Downloader for Firefox
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3006

Dope Tee's - submit your idea or buy others'
http://www.threadless.com/

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Events
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9/8/07 - CANVAS AND LENS
9/8/07 - Hidden Histories
9/8/07 - Full Frontal
9/8/07 - Artists Exchange
9/8/07 - Yo Yo Championships
9/11/07 - Design is your business
9/12/07 - What is Luxury?
9/14/07 - Virtual Unreality
9/14- 9/16/07 - Dwell On Design
9/18/07 - PSFK Conference
10/3/2007 - Webby Awards


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Videos of the Week :
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Thinking Outside the Box
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkA3nxuMJoM

Internet People
http://www.channelfrederator.com/methminute39/episode/TMM_20070906

Genius: 2012 - Malcom Gladwell on collaboration in problem solving
http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/conference/2007/gladwell

Dangerous Knowledge
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3503877302082311448&hl=en

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Podcast of the Week:
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Unconditional Love
http://www.thisamericanlife.com/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=317


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Branding Game of the Week:
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My Black Valentine
http://www.myblackvalentine.com/

Get The Glass
http://www.gettheglass.com/

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DIY of the Week:
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HOW TO - Make a minimalist (and cheap) laptop case
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2007/09/how_to_make_a_minimalist.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890

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Art of the Week:
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Real Artist
http://www.animationnation.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002071;p=


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Pictures of the Week:
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9 Wonder Brands that made it to the Oxford dictionary
http://www.socyberty.com/Languages/Nine-Wonder-Brands-That-Made-It-to-the-Oxford-Dictionary-.44294

Cutting Edge: 8/17/07

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Articles
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Live concert recordings on USB sticks
http://www.last100.com/2007/08/13/live-concert-recordings-on-usb-sticks/

Ken's Abstract: CD's are outdated, this new wave for music sales personalizes the experience by letting you take home the live recording of a concert you're at.
Why it's important: Why can't this idea apply to everything we enjoy - conferences, classes, weddings?

Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy’s Couch
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/science/14tier.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5090&en=22bfff4070a81187&ex=1344744000

Ken's Abstract: You thought the thinking behind the Matrix was cool.
Why it's important: There's a 20% chance we're living in one.

Didja Hear NBC is Taking on YouTube?
http://www.randomculture.com/random_culture/2007/08/didja-hear-nbc-.html

Ken's Abstract: NBC is launching an all advertising video site.
Why it's important: Don't commercials drive pop culture?

The Future of Gaming
http://librarygarden.blogspot.com/2007/08/future-of-gaming.html

Ken's Abstract: "Games like Trauma Center are a lot of fun (the player is a surgeon who performs everything from removing cysts to heart surgery) but they have a greater potential if applied to the medical field."
Why it's important: How is game development evolving and where is it headed?


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Videos of the Week :
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Eric Ryan - Founder of Method
http://www.aaaa.org/EWEB/upload/webcasts/ap_07/ryan.html

Post Secret
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6rTkp1dek4

Brian Eno Talks About His 77 Million Paintings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-1cTC8DFu8&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Flaughingsquid%2Ecom%2F

Ken Robinson on Being Creative
http://jump.webstreaminghost.com/wm/sfb/ken1_high.wax


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Tools
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Preezo
http://www.preezo.com/index.php

Zoomr
http://www.zooomr.com/

Spock
http://www.spock.com/about

Last.fm
http://www.last.fm/download/


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Events
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9/8 - 9/9/2007 - Singularity Summit
http://www.singinst.org/summit2007/

2/24 - 5/12/2008 - MoMa: Design and the Elastic Mind
http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.php?id=5632&ref=calendar


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Book of the Week:
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BOOKS - Freak Show
http://www.xtra.ca/public/viewstory.aspx?AFF_TYPE=3&STORY_ID=3440&PUB_TEMPLATE_ID=2


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Podcast of the Week:
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This American Life: The Spokesman
http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1201


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Pictures of the Week:
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Cutting Edge 8/27/07

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Articles
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The anti-Tivo: Product placement beats the 30-second spot http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/15/technology/disruptors_nextmedium.biz2/index.htm

Cutting Edge Abstract: NextMedium automates and standardizes the process of product placement in TV shows, movies, and videogames. Advertisers can search through the requests to evaluate and bid on the available placement opportunities. NextMedium's site also allows for the director or other creative professional to approve and sign off on each placement.

Why it's important: How quickly is the 30-second spot dying?

Spirit Airlines CEO Says “Let Them Tell The World How Bad We Are” In Email Faux Pas. http://www.ceosmack.com/2007/08/24/spirit-airlines-ceo-says-let-them-tell-the-world-how-bad-we-are-in-email-faux-pas/

Cutting Edge Abstract: Customer complains. CEO shrugs them off. Bloggers spread the word. Airline takes a hit. "The comment trail on blogs far and wide is starting to grow, USA Today has gone national with the story and it won’t be long until the small airline CEO’s arrogance and downright rudeness starts to affect ticket sales."

Why it's important: How are individual bloggers changing the world?

Is There Anything Good About Men? And Other Tricky Questions http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/20/is-there-anything-good-about-men-and-other-tricky-questions/index.html?hp

Cutting Edge Abstract: A better understanding of the evolution of the sexes.

Why it's important: Does social insecurity in men encourage productivity?

Clever students create cheapo DIY Segway http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/21/clever-students-create-cheapo-diy-segway/

Cutting Edge Abstract: A team of ingenious do-it-yourself'ers put together a fairly workable Segway knock-off for less than a thousand dollars using off-the-shelf supplies.

Why it's important: How is DIY changing businesses?

Filmmaker's Tool Kit: Creating a Movie with Web 2.0 http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/filmmakers_tool_kit_creating_a_movie_with_web20.php

Cutting Edge Abstract: "You have to write your film, cast it, shoot it, edit it, and distribute it to the masses. Web 2.0 applications and services can help with (nearly) all of these phases."

Why it's important: Content creators are still playing catch up but will the advent of easy to produce film saturate the market and overwhelm consumers or carve a path to the much awaited niche content that long tail theorists predict?

Teen Unlocks iPhone From AT&T Network http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/technology/AP-IPhone-Unlocked.html?_r=1&oref=login

Cutting Edge Abstract: Since the details of both hacks are public, Apple may be able to modify the iPhone production line to make new phones invulnerable.

Why it's important: Didn't similar resistance create problems for Apple's computing business? Assignment:

Jump the Shark
http://alecsoth.com/blog/2007/08/12/assignment-jump-the/


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Tools
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Pandora Jam - Discover new music and record it
http://www.bitcartel.com/pandorajam/

Walk Score
http://www.walkscore.com/

Blinkx
http://www.blinkx.com/

Free Books Online
http://www.wowio.com/index.asp

Deezer - free music on demand
http://www.deezer.com/

Google Sky
http://earth.google.com/sky/skyedu.html

How I made my presentations a little better (including the 10/20/30 rule) http://www.43folders.com/2007/08/23/better-presentations/

USB Cassette Deck
http://www.firebox.com/product/1849?itc=72&src_t=nwt&src_id=158

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Events
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8/27/07 - Social Network Portability Today
9/8/07 - Singularity Summit 07
9/14/07 - Dwell On Design
9/22/07 - SwapSF Presents: The Most Hyperbolic Clothing Swap Ever!

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Videos of the Week :
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Colbert Report Clip: Andrew Keen - Why the Internet is Destroying Culture http://www.thedailybackground.com/2007/08/17/the-most-infuriating-colbert-report-interview-ive-ever-seen/

How do you beat YouTube?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/aug/21/digitalvideo

Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75pjGY-6NtU

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Pictures of the Week:
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Artist Sets Sail in Life-size Paper Boat


Hole Punch Art

Cutting Edge: 9/4/07

I'd like to start this issue by thanking those of you who have submitted articles to Cutting Edge. Not only has it broadened the depth of our content but it's helped us take a look at categories you're interested in learning about. I recently stumbled across this article: 'Public Cries out for Something Different' from the news and want to avoid that same trap of providing useless information. This is your opportunity to customize the content you receive and contribute to the democratization of your micro-learnings. If you'd like, please respond by letting us know what you're interested in learning about, so we avoid this:


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Articles
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Here are the 10 game-changing startups most likely to upend existing industries - and spawn new entrepreneurial opportunities.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2007/09/01/100169862/index.htm

Cutting Edge Abstract: Spotting the next Disruptors: 10 businesses with the potential to rewrite the rules of existing industries or open up entirely new markets. Blinkx indexes 14 million hours of web video and uses software to turn speech into text.
Why it's important: Could this be the technology advertisers are looking for to better target consumers?

A student campaign using the social networking website Facebook has forced an international bank into a U-turn over charges.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6970570.stm

Cutting Edge Abstract: Thousands of students on Facebook threatened to boycott the HSBC, so HSBC listened & responded.
Why it's important: How can applications like Facebook give power back to the people?

Meraki Empowers San Franciscans to Free the Net
http://meraki.com/press-releases/2007/08/15/meraki-empowers-san-franciscans-to-free-the-net/

Cutting Edge Abstract: Meraki takes a truly unique and innovative bottoms-up approach by empowering individuals to connect and build a Wi-Fi community.
Why it's important: Will free public internet become a reality in SF & what's the best way for it to happen?

Vint Cerf, aka the godfather of the net, predicts the end of TV as we know it
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/aug/27/news.google

Cutting Edge Abstract: "You're still going to need live television for certain things - like news, sporting events and emergencies - but increasingly it is going to be almost like the iPod, where you download content to look at later."
Why it's important: How is content consumption changing, how rapidly and how will you use your TV in 5 years?

The Facebook economy
http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/22/technology/facebook_economy.biz2/index.htm?postversion=2007082307?

Cutting Edge Abstract: Web 2.0 opens its doors to developers like Slide.
Why it's important: How will advertising play into social networking applications?

Bonfire of the Brands: How I Learnt to Live Without Labels by Neil Boorman
http://www.canongate.net/Bonfire-of-the-Brands/Paperback

Cutting Edge Abstract: This is a book exploring how brands have come to dominate our world.
Why it's important: Has your identity become based on the purchasing decisions you make?

Softening a Message
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/08/31/GR2007083100089.html

Cutting Edge Abstract: Softening ad campaigns so they aren't so hard-hitting.
Why it's important: How are lobbyists affecting your health?

User Generated Video Seeks a Business Model
http://blog.ipglab.com/?p=141

Cutting Edge Abstract: Crackle.com allows viewers to rank content.
Why it's important: Will user generated videos be able to compete?


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Tools
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SplashCast
http://web.splashcast.net/catalog/search.aspx


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Events
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9/8/07 - Singularity Summit 07
9/14/07 - Dwell On Design
11/10/07 - Green Festival


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Videos of the Week :
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What is a Temple - A look at Burning Man
http://www.current.tv/pods/tvfreeburningman/PD07063

Zink - Inkless printing
http://podcasts.cnn.net/cnn/services/podcasting/disrupto/video/2007/08/23/b2.disruptors.zink.cnnmoney.m4v

Play Pumps
http://www.playpumps.org/site/c.hqLNIXOEKrF/b.2559311/k.BCFF/Home.htm

Robot Chicken Gummy Bears
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oGUYrXn_xnI


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Pictures of the Week:
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