awesome sites
An "Echo Chamber" is an enclosed space for producing reverberation of sound. This term has been adopted for describing a phenomenon in which we gradually filter out sources of data and opinions that conflict with our own and limit ourselves to sources of data that reaffirm our existing outlook. It is a form of Cognitive Dissonance and it lowers our likelihood of exposure to new, alternative perspectives. Just think about the news channel(s) you watch, the newspapers you read and the comments you see the most on your social media. This is exactly why this new and well-designed site is SO IMPORTANT. It's design layout may prove a powerful antidote to the modern-day echo-chamber.
During different periods in human history, different things were scarce: minerals, metals, water, game, space. However, in the current age of abundance, scarcity is found not in material form but rather in intangible variables. "Attention" and "Trust" are two such variables. It seems that as our technological and social evolution has connected us to more people than ever before, but the ability to get their undivided attention and more importantly - to foster their trust - has become harder. Sometimes it feels that it's become almost impossible. The modern corporations are in fact designed in a way that directly contradicts the natural conditions that foster trust among human beings (I talk about this in my "Small Talk? How about BIG Talk?!" workshop. This site offers a cool experiment about Trust and its impact on collaboration.
Arthur Samuel, an American pioneer in the field of computer gaming and artificial intelligence, coined the term "Machine Learning" in 1959. Machine learning is a field of computer science that gives computers the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. In other words, this means that machines can teach themselves, by tracking patterns within (large) data sets. This website asks: "Can a Computer Learn Game Strategy as it Plays?". Play "Rock, Paper, Scissors" against this website's machine to find out.
I've been in this field for quite a while now (since 2003... I'm getting old!). From time to time, I come across fellow professionals who are clearly the real thing. Individuals that do what they do, as a way of life - not just a day job. Donna is one such individual. She is based on the West Coast, but in today's digital day and age, no matter where you are on this small but glorious planet of ours, if you have a strong Internet connection and a camera - you can experience her magic for yourself and find that you have some amazing stories to tell.