Choose where to live by asking locals about their neighborhood. Listen in on their conversations or jump in and ask their advice – from wherever you are.  That’s what Eric Wu promises renters with his online site that combines the online sharing and conversational powers of a wiki and Twitter. RentWiki. Get a feel of the neighborhood beyond what [...]

What’s ahead for us? See this “presentation zen“-style global trends video from the Futures Group. It covers trends first described by Fareed Zacharia in his column and book. Teasers:
• In ten years the number one English-speaking country will be …
• By 2010, Africa’s largest trading partner will be …

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 Michael J. Fox and Google are joining forces to take a  “search” approach to discovering who’s most likely to get Parkinson’s – and you can participate. Be one of the first 10,000 to sign up and get your genomic “map” – your data for just $25 instead of $400. Your test will be done by 23andMe.  Co-founder Ann Wojcicki [...]

As the thinking person’s magazine Atlantic decided to ask readers to Think Again. In seeking The Wisdom of the Crowds, they invite anyone to answer questions raised by their superlative writers.  (Now that’s a smart way to start conversations about the magazine, online and in-person.)
So far here are some of the questions:
• Is Porn Adultery?
• Was God an Accident?
• Why Are Campaign Commercials So Bad?
 • What’s [...]

Motorists in St. Louis helped each other in a novel way when road construction made driving difficult. Other drivers found their street was in the wrong place on their personal navigation devices? If you use

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Imagine learning a new language or about another culture – and get the full attention of a great teacher you chose?  You could take or teach the one-to-one class online from your home. For the first time would-be students and teachers can find each other for free through Myngle. The online community and support tools to teach or take a class online are free. [...]

Eighth grader, Talia Leman recruited other kids to trick-or-treat for coins for Katrina victims.  After appearing on The Today Show she raised $10 million. Next step?  Make it scalable. Like any social entrepreneur, she found a complementary partner to help other students replicate her success.  At her site Random Kid young people can organize their own campaigns for a favorite cause. 

Enabling others to evoke [...]

… on a big screen in a theatre – as part of a short-film before the feature movie.  

For the first time anyone can create an animated cut on their computer with tools provided by Intel, Facebook, Dell and others in this Mass Animation project launched today.  The crowd votes on submissions.  Winners get moments of fame via on-screen credit and $500. 5,586 people have already signed up.

At [...]

From cinema to cities to sports, from places to people, hear how words and names are pronounced in their native tongue. In other words, “avoid the faux pas of mispronouncing the phrase ‘faux pas’” advises Finding Dulcinea.
Also help others hear words in your language by participating in this ambitious Me2We-style start-up project called Forvo. For [...]

While PostSecret provides us with vicarious and often poignant peeks into actions people choose to divulge, Sidetaker takes private disagreements public.  One aggrieved party posts her or his side, then offers their lover the chance to respond. Providing just a few details in defending oneself can lead to recognition, at least among friends, family and [...]