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An interview with Ory Okolloh

Ory Okolloh, is a Kenyan activist and Africa's prominent blogger. She runs kenyanpundit.com and is also the founder of ushahidi.com, as well as mzalendo.com, initiatives that have garnered immense attention and praise. In March 2010, she was interviewed by BBC on issues of blogging and contemporary internet culture in Africa. Listen to the audio interview below.

Scientific research and society - a lecture by Kofi Annan

Theme: Scientific Research and Society
Venue: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) - Zurich, Switzerland

Today I was fortunate enough to attend an overbooked lecture by Mr. Kofi Annan, the former UN-SG and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. For this year's Richard R. Ernst Lecture at the ETH Zurich, Mr. Annan delivered a captivating lecture on the role of scientific research in solving the needs of society . He urged young researchers to delve into research that crosses boundaries of their fields through interdisciplinary work and international collaborations with less technological advanced nations. Addressing a multitude of young researchers and students, Mr. Annan pointed out that scientists should provide the necessary leadership in research policy when political support is lacking. This could be through creating innovative solutions to societal needs that gain public support of the target communties. He pressed on the need of academics to refuse to remain in the ivory-tower, but rather become actors through research that makes a lasting impact to society. During the lecture, he quoted the Indian statesman and foremost actor in its R&D revolution, Jawaharlal Nehru, who once said "we are too poor to not invest in science and technology", to highlight the importance of science and technology for solving incessant problems of the south - food shortage, climate change and diseases of poverty.

The full lecture

(c) ETH Zurich, ITS-MMS

Below are amateur video clips of the panel discussion with Kofi Annan chaired by the 1991 Chemistry Nobel Laureate Prof. Richard R. Ernst.

Cameron Herold: Let's raise kids to be entrepreneurs

In my opinion, this TED Talk by Cameron Herold is exactly what the world needs to hear.

Cameron speaks of his own struggles in the education system. He speaks of his ventures and passion for business at a very young age and how his dad would never allow him to get a "regular" job. He always had to find new ways to earn his own money.

Cameron states that children should be taught how to save at a young age and how to make use of their resources. Instead of giving monthly allowances to children give them opportunities to be innovative. Children should also be given the opportunity to nuture their creativity and not be told what to be in the future. We need to teach kids how to fish and not give them the fish.

Darwin's Nightmare

A 2004 documentary film written and directed by Hubert Sauper -- dealing with the environmental and social effects of the fishing industry around Lake Victoria in Tanzania.

Quote from the Darwin Nightmare's website:

"Some time in the 1960's, in the heart of Africa, a new animal was introduced into Lake Victoria as a little scientific experiment. The Nile Perch, a voracious predator, extinguished almost the entire stock of the native fish species. However, the new fish multiplied so fast, that its white fillets are today exported all around the world.

"Huge hulking ex-Soviet cargo planes come daily to collect the latest catch in exchange for their southbound cargo… Kalashnikovs and ammunitions for the uncounted wars in the dark center of the continent..."

Lakers secure 16th NBA championship

Congratulations to LA Lakers and their fans!

Enjoy the mini-movie of the final game (yeah, everything seems cool in slow-motion):

The power of an image

Any thoughts on this image ?