The Infinite Thinking Machine
It’s been really hard to hold off talking about this the last few weeks, but I can finally post about it…
Though it hasn’t officially launched yet, I’ve got my first post up at the Infinite Thinking Machine, a partnership between WestEd and Google for Educators. The blog and podcast (or Internet TV show as they’re calling it) are meant to share a “bazillion practical ideas” for turning the infinite universe of information into knowledge. (Read more about it.)
I sent an email to my fellow ITM bloggers seeking feedback on this “draft” and if any of you are interested in sending me any comments or feedback I’d love to hear from you, too.
Incidentally, I’m thrilled to be a part of this project, and to be writing “along side” the other bloggers who are involved… they are all inspiring writers and practitioners. (Bios should be up on the blog soon, but check out the list of bloggers in Chris Walsh’s first post.) And the podcast is gonna be great… lots of information and lots of fun… great correspondents and really interesting interviews – everyone from Google engineers to k12 students. (I’ve seen the previews! You’ll want to see this.)
Also, if you like what you see, please spread the word. :)
PS. I originally included the paragraph below, but removed it due to concerns about pushing the boundaries of “naked conversations” too much in the first post… but I’ll happily post it here as a supplement to my ITM post:
I also asked Andy how he’d like to see Google Calendar improved in the future. The ability for editors to see multiple calendars was something he wished readers could take advantage of as well. He was also disappointed by frustrations such as limitations on sizing of events, on different sized windows, word wrap, and drag & drop functionality. In addition, he felt constrained by the half-hour increments. (Our colleague David Conlay also suggested the wiki calendars, complete with histories of revisions, over at jot.com as a model for new features.)
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:25 pm
Congrats on the Infinite Thinking Machine Project. It sounds most promising. I’m just curious on your use of the term “naked conversations.” I had thought that was about stripping the crap out of corporate speaking and just talking in a transparent, straightforward manner. How does Naked Coversations apply to an online calendar?
October 12th, 2006 at 2:44 am
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October 12th, 2006 at 10:39 am
Shel,
I’m thrilled that you commented here. I really don’t use the term in relation to the online calendar, but rather in relation to the fact that it was suggested that I not criticize the sponsors of the blog… at least not so early on in the process. My feeling was that Google will have a more powerful communication tool in the ITM if the ITM bloggers are able to post dissenting oppinions and constructive criticism – if they encourage us to have more naked conversations. The funny thing is, I think everyone is on the same page with me, but it was still decided against… and after I posted it initially. I wonder if this sits with you as a reasonable use of the term.
I should also mention that I may misunderstand the term. I follow Robert’s blog, but I have not yet read the book, though it’s on my reading list. (As a PhD student and recent entrepreneur, I’m finding it hard to get to all my ‘want to read’ books.) I hope you’ll forgive my ignorance if this is the case.
-Mark