Photo by Flick/qisur

So it looks as though TED have decided to release a load of audio content - and you can't hear me complaining.  Today's recommended talk is by Chris Leadbeater who talks about the rise of the amateur professional.  He gives some great powerful examples of people inventing things over history without specialising in the field, from the mountain bike, through to hiphop, as well as examples of what's happening now with open source and companies based on community platforms.

The crux of the talk is on 'how users can become producers and consumers into designers'.  A highly recommended talk, especially if like me your are taking a venture into an exciting new endeavour.

Link to Podcast:

The Rise of the Amateur Professional

Related Links:

Tedtalks

Amateur Professionalism

Photo by Flickr/conskeptical

I had the pleasure of listening to another fascinating TED talk on fungi by Paul Stamets today.  After this world wind tour of Paul Stamets' research on fungi, I will never see mushrooms in the same light again and can appreciate them way beyond featuring in my risotto!

Paul Stamets talk goes through analogies of fungi systems with internet systems, how fungi can help fight viruses and how they can be harnessed to fight climate change.  I know, I know, all of this sounds way too good to be true, but on listening you will find Stamets talk both compelling and highly persuasive, whilst of course being hugely educational.

Switch off the nonsense reality this and that on the telly, and have a listen to a perfect podcast to accompany you whilst cooking your evening meal.

Link to Podcast:

TED talk: 6 ways mushrooms can save the world

Related Links:

TED talks

Paul Stamets

Wikipedia on Mycelium

Wikipedia on Fungus

photo by Flickr/adotjdotsmith

Today, on my day off, I found myself mulling over the small observations I made around me while sat in a local cafe.   Surrounded by fresh face students, retired ladies and fellow Tuesday vacationers, in particular I noticed a young tourist couple who looked smitten with each other, which got me thinking about 'love'.  Why do we fall in love?  Why are we drawn to certain people?   Why do we want and need love?...

Later in the day, whilst scrolling through a list of TED podcasts, a talk by anthropologist Helen Fisher caught my eye, as it was about studies on the brain in love.  Helen not only talks about her research on the topic but also examines some of the thoughts and questions I had been musing over earlier in the day.  Her fast paced talking style means that she covers a lot of ground in the 20 minute programme, even a couple of poems on the topic which balance out the otherwise quite scientific yet fascinating approach to such a romantic and emotional topic.

Link to Podcast: 
Ted Talk: Helen Fisher Studies the Brain in Love 

Related Links:
Chemistry.com
Wikipedia: Helen Fisher