Sometimes open source ideals make for the strangest–and most wonderful–bedfellows. We met Dr. Vandana Shiva–physicist, scientist, environmentalist, and activist–several years ago. Her work saving seeds and protecting traditional knowledge in the farming industry parallels the openness, transparency, collaboration and freedom of open source ideology. Her simple, clear explanation of why knowledge should be shared–and the devastating results should it be hoarded–is part of the essential truth that makes the work we do so incredibly important. But don’t take our word for it.
Get more information about Dr. Shiva’s work.
It’s been a while since we posted a good round-up, and there’s so much we’ve come across lately that we really wanted to tell you about. In no particular order, here’s a list of things that have piqued our interest in the last few weeks:
Over the last few months, open source has gained momentum at Stanford University in the form of the Stanford Open Source Lab. Inspired by groups like the Free Software Foundation, Oregon State University’s Open Source Lab, Drupal, Openflows Community Technology Lab, and MIT’s Open Course Ware, a few people at Stanford decided to band together and dedicate their time and energies to the development of free/open/libre learning and knowledge resources. The vision of the Open Source Lab is to be a nexus on campus for the discussion, advocacy, and technical support of community-based technologies and information systems. » Read more
Did you know Red Hat’s introducing online training? When we heard that, we went digging to find somebody that could tell us more. Joshua M. Hoffman, the Product Manager for Virtual Training / Live Access Labs, was willing to fill us in. So here’s the details on Linux training… from the comfort of your living room. » Read more
Will democratizing sustainable housing be enough to change Canada? It’s too early to tell, but there’s a start. Open source can make sustainable designs available. Nobody owns it, everybody can use it, and anybody can improve it. The Now House is one sustainable housing design project created by one small team. What would happen if one hundred teams created projects like this? » Read more
Author: Jeffrey D.Sachs
Publisher: Penguin Press
Publication date: October 1, 2006
http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/endofpoverty/
Last weekend I finished reading this book and watched Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth, all in the span of 24 hours. Thoughts of global warming, the threat of a permanently altered planet, and extreme poverty killing thousands every day were swimming in my mind. While I felt a sense of urgency, I also felt conflicted. Because it’s hard to feel urgent about both. In fact, history shows it’s hard for the US government to give urgent attention to more than one crisis at a time. So what to do in the face of such cultural monsters?
It’s been almost two weeks since Graduation Day. The kids produced great work. The parents and instructors were all terribly proud. Everybody went home and got plenty of sleep. Now that the buzz has just about worn off, it’s time to reflect on what we accomplished, and what exactly we should do next.
» Read more
Episode 04 takes us on location in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Where the first batches of XOs have been delivered and deployed. Meet the teachers using the laptops in the classroom. Where besides doing daily assignments on the machines, some students have already learned programing. Local culture has permeated the project, and as a veteran school principal explains, an improved education is set to equip a new generation of Brazilian citizens. Watch past episodes.
Iraq war veteran and Marine reservist, Jonathan Kuniholm, lost his arm to an IED (improvised explosive device). Kuniholm returned home to the US and was fitted with a prosthetic arm. But he soon became dissatisfied with the mobility and range of motion the prosthesis allowed. Like all who love to tinker, his frustration led to invention. And Tackle Design was born.
» Read more
Canada is losing the environmental fight. It joins the ever-growing ranks of wealthy countries unable to meet their Kyoto Protocol goals. Between 1990 and 2004, Canada increased green house gas (GHG) emissions by 22%, sparking this comment in 2006 from Environment Minister Rona Ambrose: “it is impossible for Canada to reach its Kyoto targets.” » Read more
