Of course, innovation of certain kinds can take you down the toilet.

Innovation is the new production.

From The Economist: "The world turned upside down". Innovation, especially in developing countries. How the ideas economy is heading east. And south. And good for them.

Meanwhile, from Wired.com: "The good enough revolution". Basic technology is enough technology. The success of the Flip wouldn't surprise the innovators mentioned in The Economist survey above. Simple tools for simple purposes are close to the heart of traditional Unix users, single-speed cyclists and zen photographers, who might otherwise have little in common.

Fewer materials. Less weight. Lower impact. Minimal cost. Reliability. Pleasure in use.

Simplicity is the future.

As an alternative to oratory, there's no beating Powerpoint.

MBA student blog entry on Powerpoint. Powerpoint sins.

Toastmasters tips on public speaking.

I don't care what you've been told. The medium isn't the message.

For sale: Tower 42.

Rare opportunity to buy a large building in the City.

It's not complex, but it's not standard. A nice little app - SyncMate - syncs Google contacts and calendars with the iMac. Works on a G4 iBook running Leopard as well. So now, Madam ThingsinPassing can synchronise her phone with my Macs, her PC, Outlook and MobileMe.

Why can't things be more open? Mobile manufacturers are getting it together (thank you, Brussels), admittedly under pressure. Why can't all hardware accessories be like this? Greener, cheaper for the consumer... If we can have smart grids, whole electrical grids running down the eastern seaboard of the USA, alternative power that's no dearer than conventional power (according to the FT) and ever cleaner cars, why do users tolerate software that still struggles to talk to other bits of software?

In conjunction with the oil rise...
UK economy set to outpace OECD average (BBC).
More on that elsewhere (Irish Times).
Irish exports rise 10% third month in a row (Irish Times).

The six pound gallon. In The Guardian, today. Sign of an improving economy? An improving Chinese economy?
If we all used bikes more, the price would drop.

Is it all a dream?

Sci-Fi London. "The festival is now in its 9th year and will take place Wed 28th April – Mon 3rd May 2010 at The Apollo Piccadilly Circus Cinema, London’s most luxurious cinema." Shorts, features, documentaries and world premieres.

Luddites, anarchists and primitivism. Online.

The Guardian's international development journalism competition. Deadline: 30 April 2010.

Do one thing and do it really well. Stay focussed.
Google recognises that multi-tasking doesn't work and other comments on single-tasking.

Distraction doesn't help you get things done (BBC).

There's a movement for happiness.
That's something political parties rarely mention.
The general welfare: yes.
General happiness: no.

Links interestingly with this book on the social impact of inequality.

New William Gibson novel, "Zero History", coming September 2010. Hubertus Bigend is back.

Coping with megacities,north and south. in the Financial Times. Selection of articles on health, transport, impact of climate change. You may need to register.