Audio producer, photographer, traveler, musician, activist, parent & lox lover. A collection of sights, sounds & texts.
www.benarnow.net
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A 6 year old’s solution for cleaning the oceans
So, last week my 6 year old turns to me and proceeds to tell me about a new idea that he came up with for cleaning all of the garbage out of the ocean. My son is very interested in nature. Everything including birds, forests, insects, life cycles, dinosaurs, pollination, worms, minerals, sloths and, of course, ocean life. In order to clean up the ocean waters he said: “We could build a boat and attach a giant net to the back of it which would collect all the garbage floating around in the water. The boat could go all over the ocean catching all of the garbage floating around. Then once the net is full it would be lifted by a big crane and taken away to be thrown out”.
I looked at him and thought for a second. This is a GREAT idea. So simple, so logical. Something that a child’s open, imaginative and nimble mind is so likely to come up with. I told him that we could try to build a little prototype this Fall. Give it a test run. The boat, the net, the crane, the whole thing.
Then, yesterday I receive my daily email from Good and lo and behold, right there in front of me on my computer screen is my son’s invention! The same exact concept. Described in detail with color computer renditions of the ocean cleaning marine drone. The vessel uses a net. And it is lifted out of the ocean with a giant barge crane. Incredible. These are the types of inventions that just might save us all. Ocean cleaning drones. Carbon catching windmills. I showed these pictures to my son and his face lit up. He had come up with the same idea as the “crew of big-thinking designers” behind this wonderfully creative solution to a growing environmental problem.
I hope my son comes up with more ideas like this. We sure could use them. I hope we all start thinking more like this. This Fall we are going to work on our little prototype model and my son can give it a test run. First in the bathtub. Then maybe the lake. Someday, maybe, he’ll make it to the ocean.
(more pictures here!)
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Beyond the Fence: A Genius Incubator at the Navy Yard - The Local – Fort-Greene Blog - NYTimes.com
Solar Ivy at the Pratt Incubator!
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Turn On the Server. It’s Cold Inside.
Great idea!
Some researchers propose installing data centers in homes so they can do double duty as furnaces.
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A lot of news out of The Plant in Chicago today. This Kickstarter project is so great. Looking very forward to this documentary by Michael Silberman! I’m a big fan of The Plant and their creative combination of reclaiming unused industrial space, urban agriculture and aquaponics. John Edel has built Chicago’s first vertical farm. They have an open house tomorrow from 12noon to 4PM and some mysterious big announcement this afternoon?! Hmm. Can’t wait.
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Global Youth Summit @ United Nations
I will be participating in the Global Youth Summit at the United Nations on July 27th and 28th. Looking very forward to the event and hearing ideas about how to create a more peaceful and sustainable future from young leaders and innovators from around the world.
“The world is at a crossroad. Social and environmental tensions are growing. Technology has made the global village increasingly inter-connected and inter-dependent. People everywhere are seeking transformative ideas, new resources and new leadership to ensure a peaceful and sustainable future. And, younger generations are rising to meet the challenge.
To put the hope and promise of young people on the world stage, leaders are coming together in New York City this summer, from July 26th to 29th, 2011, for The Nexus: Global Youth Summit on Innovative Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship.”
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Planet Earth Doesn't Know How To Make It Any Clearer It Wants Everyone To Leave | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
[And as I am reading this a tornado watch is being issued for NYC and the surrounding area…hmmm]
“At this point, I think I’ve stated my wishes quite loudly and clearly,” the Earth’s statement to all of humanity read in part. “I haven’t exactly been subtle about it, you realize. I have literally tried to drown you, crush you, starve you, dehydrate you, pump you full of diseases, and suck your homes and families into swirling vortices of death. Honestly, what more is it going to take for you people to get the message?”
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SMIT Tensile Solar: lightweight, modular, solar power - Core77
A simple and brilliant application of solar technology. The latest from Brooklyn-based Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology.
“Tensile Solar, weatherproof and structurally reinforced photovoltaic modules that act almost like a fabric that can not only protect, but power”
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Jean Lin: The Buckminster Fuller Institute Idea Index
Great to see coverage of the BFI Challenge in the Huffington Post. Check out Jean Lin’s piece about the searchable Idea Index here.
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Idea Index - 2011 | The Buckminster Fuller Challenge
Take a look at these entries for the 2011 BFI Challenge. All incredible.
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