This is, unfortunately, often true in Vermont as well. Perhaps it’s time to form a coalition of organizations to support a sustained campaign of what Richard Cialdini refers to as “persuasion psychology,” a.k.a., choice architecture or “nudges.” In any event, something must be done soon — we’re going no where fast on many of these issues.
This is an instant favorite for me. The concept of an inexpensive, instant electronic whiteboard is a sure winner for the types of meetings I’m often in. Even if we’ve got a group collaborating to take notes in real time using Google Docs, there are usually several of us who prefer to sketch mind maps or doodle notes. Typed notes just don’t cut it for me. But the problem with whiteboards has always been that the fancy electronic versions cost a fortune and require a technical support team. Painting I can handle though, and Evernote is already a favorite tool, so my order has been placed. I’ll report back after putting this new combination through its paces.
In a survey of rankings from a variety of sources, Pleated Jeans maps the United States of Shame. Because all states must be bad at something. Go, California. If we’re the worst at air pollution, does that mean we actually have really clean air? Must be.
See also a spinoff from Political Language: The United States of Awesome. Because all states must be good at something. Go, California.
[Pleated Jeans via Laughing Squid]
Lest you get too depressed by the first infographic here, the second one shows what your state is best at.
Competition is a tried and true motivator, so let’s hope we can look forward to some changes in the rankings next year….
The delightful new Ngram Google Labs tool combines three of my favorite things: words, books and infographics. Here I’ve selected three terms — green biz, sustainable business and corporate social responsibility – to see which is the trending term in books over the past 50 years. Fascinating! (Who needs sudoku?) Check it out for your favorite words >> New Google Labs Ngram http://ow.ly/3r7KW
The site MyBikeLane is a sort of user-generated catalog of pictures of bike lane misuse in cities all over the world. In the photo above, for example, a parking enforcement officer has completely blocked the bike lane.
What a great idea! For centuries public shame has proven to be an effective tool for stimulating behavior change. Add in social networking and the embarassment of the corporate or government employers captured here and I foresee improvement for bike commuters around the world.
Do you have a photo to contribute? Unfortunately, Vermont has few marked bike lanes, but I’m still planning to be on the lookout.
Word Bit Overflow 