source site - How Simplicity Can Help Creativity, Briefly

The judicious application of simplicity can help someone to create, whether that’s writing, creating art, designing, teaching, starting a small business, or in some other way making ideas take shape into reality.

People who want to create are hampered by complications — tools that are too complicated, projects that are too overwhelming, the distractions of the modern world, too many cooks, too many options, too busy.

Simplify, and many of these problems go away.

Clearing clutter is a great way to create space for new ideas, thoughts and creativity.

The hectic information age is generally bad news for creativity. We cannot run away from 24/7 service, technologies and communication. However, we can strive to do less in every area that we work on. Find non-value adding stuff. Ruthlessly chop them off.

Use technology to simplify.

Challenge everything we do. Why do we do things we've being doing all this while?

source - Seth Godin on the tribes we lead | Video on TED.com

Some of the most basic things regarding change is being able to influence small groups of like minded people towards a cause. these small groups can multiply the efforts towards change provided that the tribal leader steps up to the role and drives the vision.

This video perhaps tells nothing new, but today's society and technology makes the possibility of tribal changes become a lot more effective.

Today was a bit of a busy day.

started with some discussions on some home design with ju, hijaz and kahar. they shared their websites as follows:

http://www.blogger.com/profile/16807998016910934448
http://bahahouse.blogspot.com/
http://bungalowdesign.blogspot.com/
http://sabrihouse.blogspot.com/
http://zainihouse.blogspot.com/
http://hizalsbungalow.blogspot.com/
http://binarumah.ambok.net/

unfortunately, our ambitions are not for big houses. :)

source site - TG Daily - Bill Gates' new mission: Saving lives

When you already have transformed the way the world works, what do you do with the second half of your life? Ask Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, the insanely rich guy we so often loved to hate, but who is being credited with bringing computing to the mainstream. Today, Gates released the first annual letter describing his new role at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. What we read is a passionate introduction to the challenges and goals of his charity. And I remember the old saying: There are those who say they are saving lives, and those who actually do.

this is pretty inspirational. yes, i do not like bill gates the microsoft man. but bill gates the man, is a different matter altogether. even at microsoft he was singularly focused on changing the way we work. i believe that this singular focus will allow him to achieve good things with his foundation. his work at the foundation is described on his 2009 annual letter.

this is one of the best ways to see wealth being shared across the world.

We all want to make the world better -- but how? Jamais Cascio looks at some specific tools and techniques that can make a difference. It's a fascinating talk that might just inspire you to act.

Jamais Cascio follows the threads of civilization's intended (and unintended) consequences into an unpredictable future, bringing back glimpses of a green world wired beyond our wildest dreams.

Jamais Cascio of worldchanging.com highlights some of the things we already have today to make the world a better place. the real challenge is whether humanity's leadership can pull this all together to realise some of these ideas?

source site - The Boy With The Incredible Brain

Daniel Tammet is a boy with extraordinary mental abilities and one of the world’s few savants. He can do calculations to 100 decimal places in his head, and learn a language in a week. This documentary follows Daniel as he travels to America to meet the scientists who are convinced he may hold the key to unlocking similar abilities in everyone. He also meets the world’s most famous savant, the man who inspired Dustin Hoffman’s character in the Oscar winning film ‘Rain Man’.

source site - John Hodgman's brief digression | Video on TED.com

Humorist John Hodgman rambles through a new story about aliens, physics, time, space and the way all of these somehow contribute to a sweet, perfect memory of falling in love.

John Hodgman ("I am a PC") gives his humourous take on whether we are really alone... aliens are not real. are they?? For all the seriousness that is in this world, this is a bit of a light relief.

source site - The picture perfect storm: Photographs capture the terrifying beauty of clouds gathering over Greenland | Mail Online

These incredible photographs look more like a scene from the end of the world than a winter sunrise.

source site - Zen Moments - the great power of small things
source article - The Cab Ride I’ll Never Forget

We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

source site - 17 Online Free Web Based Applications That You Probably Love To Use! - Opensource, Free and Useful Online Resources for Designers and Developers