Have any of you seen it? It's all about 37 young innovators in the arts and sciences. And, they are all under 36 years of age. These men and women are my generation, and I really enjoyed reading about the ways they've contributed to our society. I love that a name and face is put to these individuals that have done something pretty spectacular in their own sphere. I was not familiar with even one of these names, and in most cases, not even with the contribution that they have made. But, the things they've done have made a difference. A big difference in the lives of many. Their determination, vision and intelligence has set them apart in my opinion as real players in the game of life. It made me think about the the influence I have on my sphere in life. What I do may not have an beneficial influence on thousands or even hundreds.....but maybe it will. I do believe in the trickle effect, and perhaps if I always strive to do the best I can in all that I do, it will rub off on others and those others will rub off on more people than I'll ever know. It takes all sorts to make up our world, and wouldn't it be great if everyone just did the best they could? The possibilites are limitless. I challenge you to think about what you do to inhance your world. I bet you'll be surprised!
Here are my favorite innovators featured in Smithsonian:
Michael Wong: he invented a "detergent" made of gold and palladium to clean up toxic waste faster (like a 100 times) and maybe even more economically, too!
Christina Galitsky: she invented a highly energy-effiecient and portable cookstove for the Darfur refugees so that the women wouldn't have to leave refugee camps in search of dwindling kindling. Couldn't we all use a stove like that in case of emergency?
Beth Shapiro figured out how to trace evolution and extinction in animals with DNA research.
John Wherry is developing a vaccine that provides immunity against influenza.....for life.
Luis Von Ahn has invented internet games in which players do work to help others. They may translate documents from one language to another or label internet pictures.
Amber Vanderwarker, an anthropologist is learning about the Olmec people by studying what they ate, rather than looking at alters or temples for the elite.
And my favorite, Terence Tao. The epitomy of a child prodigy. His work in prime numbers is famous, he's the youngest full professor at UCLA, ever, he's published more than 140 papers. This guy is amazing, and his vision is solving problems others can only scratch their heads at.
5 comments:
Have you read that book Children of the Now? Kinda groovy but had some cool points amidst the mysticism.The new generations with their Crystalline aura- here to change the world. Saturday's Warriors? LOL.
Ohh I want to read this! Where did you get it? I read a book I loved once that went through the biggest diseases and how they were discovered and then rid. It was SO interesting and I still think about that book all the time. I should share the title.
I have seen this and I sat and wondered....what have I done with my life!! :) It was awesome to read what accomplishments these young people had made!
Since I'm a foodie, I love that Amber Vanderwarker is studying what the Olmec people ate.
Arizona,
You'd also love that the co-founder of Kiva was featured!
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