More cool uses of 3D printing

I really want a 3D printer, and here is one more super cool thing you can do with one. I'm not sure it will really catch on anytime soon, but wow is it impressive.

Search Engine Bias

Wow. This is such an eye opening talk. It is so easy to forget that there are people behind every search. There are people making decisions as to what should stay and what should go, and those decisions have very real consequences. Amazing talk.

Silence

"There is no such thing as pure silence." What an amazing idea. We so often speak of a moment of silence, but really we are looking for less noise, rather than true silence. My little brother, far more than I, sees music in the everyday sounds around us. He is constantly remixing and reworking sounds into a performance. While I don't always enjoy the output, I am always impressed by the originality of his work. I think we could all benefit from paying attention to the sounds around us and finding beauty in that.

Intentions

This guy is very insightful. "If your intentions are to impress people or to get the big applause at the end," he says, "then you are taking, not giving." I think we should be more aware of the intentions of the things around us. That will help us be aware of the intentions within us. Using that knowledge we can ensure we are working together and moving forward together, for if we have the same intentions we will be far more cohesive and effective.

Real Words

Holy cow do I love this talk! I have to admit that in my younger more reckless years, I have been in hot debates involving several dictionaries about the usage of a certain word. I will forever use worser and burnted - and now I have a very academic source to show that they are indeed worth using.

Multipotentialites Unite!

"It is rarely a waste of time to pursue something you are drawn to, even if you end up quitting." I love what she has to say and think all students should hear this. There is no reason everyone should be expected to find just one thing and spend a lifetime on it. If you are drawn to multiple things, by all means pursue them and see where they take you.

Why I Teach

This. Just watch.

John Green

I love being a part of a community of learners. Not only does that exist for me here at HPS, but also on Twitter, YouTube, and yes even Facebook. I haven't ever really heard it expressed so well, as only John Green can, so this was a real delight to find.

Embrace the Shake

I am so impressed by how this guy embraces limitations. All too often I can make excuses for why this or that can't work, but really the best things come from when we take what we have and work with it. One of the things I learned from my parents that I will always treasure is the ability to look at what we have - either what food is in the pantry, what materials are in the shop, or whatever - and make something from it. It isn't always necessary, nor desirable to head to the store for every project. Instead, the best projects are the ones that start from some limitation.

Story Corps

I have listened to Story Corps on NPR for several years now. I am always moved by the stories they present. I have often thought it would be a cool experience to record an interview, but it would be hard to pick a person/topic for it. Today I am wondering if there is a way to create a Story Corps type booth here at school and if students and staff would take advantage of it. . . Might be very cool.

Prime Numbers and Poetry!

Love this! This guy is hilarious, but also poignant, clever, and just plain brilliant. His use of alliteration in his second poem is sheer genius (and I dare any of you to try to repeat it).

February Challenge

I hate February, more than any other month by far. Not just because of Valentine's Day (and really, who doesn't have at least one horror story from that holiday?). I hate it because it should be full of hope and getting ready for spring, but it so often is just 28 (or if we're really lucky 29) days of cold bleak winter. Two years ago on this blog I challenged myself and anyone reading to comment daily on something good about each day in February (as another aside, I hate it so much I can't even spell it correctly without the aid of spell-check). Last year I forgot, but this year I am bringing it back. The goal is to have by the end of the month a list of great happenings and hopefully a slightly better attitude towards this month. Or at least a list of reasons why we can make it through another February.

Everyday Leadership

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."
So, so powerful. . . Now I need to think about who I need to thank.