Ian Bremmer: How the US should use its superpower status

Americanization and globalization have basically been the same thing for the last several generations. But the US’s view of the world — and the world’s view of the US — is changing. In a fast-paced tour of the current state of international politics, Ian Bremmer discusses the challenges of a world where no single country… Continue reading Ian Bremmer: How the US should use its superpower status

Alexander Betts: Why Brexit happened — and what to do next

We are embarrassingly unaware of how divided our societies are, and Brexit grew out of a deep, unexamined divide between those that fear globalization and those that embrace it, says social scientist Alexander Betts. How do we now address that fear as well as growing disillusionment with the political establishment, while refusing to give in… Continue reading Alexander Betts: Why Brexit happened — and what to do next

Dan Pink: The puzzle of motivation

Career analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don’t: Traditional rewards aren’t always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories — and maybe, a way forward.

Kevin Slavin: How algorithms shape our world

Kevin Slavin argues that we’re living in a world designed for — and increasingly controlled by — algorithms. In this riveting talk from TEDGlobal, he shows how these complex computer programs determine: espionage tactics, stock prices, movie scripts, and architecture. And he warns that we are writing code we can’t understand, with implications we can’t… Continue reading Kevin Slavin: How algorithms shape our world

Wolfram.com

I still don’t get all the hype about Tweeter (??!?) … but this thing, that’s another story. Developed by Stephen Wolfram, it’s one of the first practical approaches to a new way to present data. I wouldn’t start selling any Google shares yet, but it looks very promising: http://www45.wolframalpha.com