This just in: "The Defense Acquisition Performance Assessment (DAPA) project, headed by retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronald Kadish and including representatives from the military, industry, and academia, has submitted eight major findings and associated recommended actions across the spectrum of the defense acquisition process. The panel presented their findings in a 155-page report, dated January 2006, to the deputy secretary of defense."
I mention this because - brace yourself - the report is actually interesting and worthwhile. It basically advocates pursuit of the FIST (Fast, Inexpensive, Simple, Tiny) value-set that I've been advocating for the past few years. That feels good.
Here's an excerpt:
The acquisition process is slow, overly complex and incompatible with meeting the needs of multiple, competing, departmental demands, in a diverse marketplace.
See? Instead of slow, complex and unresponsive, it should be Fast, Simple, etc... You can read the entire report at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dapaproject/documents/DAPA-Report-web.pdf.
19 May 2006
12 May 2006
The 7-Day Prototype
Check out this story of a very high-speed game development effort at Carnegie Mellon University's Experimental Gameplay project. Of particular interest is their chart of the value of teamwork / collaboration.
One big take away - the value of a good thing (like teamwork) is not constant or linear!
11 May 2006
The Iron Sun?
According to the esteemed scientific research group known as They Might Be Giants, "The sun is a mass of incandescant gas, a gigantic nuclear furnace, where hydrogen it turned into helium at a temperature of millions of degrees."
Or is it?
In the late 60's a chemist named Oliver Manuel began developing a theory that the sun actually has an iron core. I mention this because 1) it's interesting and 2) it led me to a wonderful article about how science works - here are a few excerpts
Manuel fits a popular stereotype, the lone dissenter promoting a new idea that flies in the face of the scientific establishment. In the real world, some of these theories eventually have been proven right but vastly more have been proven wrong. Manuel is under no illusions about the popularity of his idea. "Ninety-nine percent of the field will tell you it's junk science," he says. The evidence weighs in heavily against him. If he's right, however, we need to completely rethink how planetary systems form. Even if he's wrong, some scientists say, at least he has made people think.
Although most scientists don't believe Manuel's theory, they all acknowledge that outlandish hypotheses have been proven correct in the past. It seems especially unlikely in Manuel's case, however...
Still, some scientists see fringe theorists like Manuel as an asset, as they make people reassess long-held theories. "Manuel is a little off the wall," Lewis says. "But science is filled with people a little off the wall. Our great strength is to allow them to express their views." Manuel's views got an airing again at the January meeting of the American Astronomical Society meeting in Washington, DC, where once again they received little notice.
Meanwhile, Manuel continues to argue his theory with an air of implacable certainty, believing that solar physics is on the verge of a revolution. He talks as though scientists need only to come to their senses and reassess the data. "I'm not trying to refute the professional careers of the scientists whose shoulders I'm standing on," Manuel says. "My work depends on their evidence. It's just a different interpretation."
I like this Manuel guy. I also like the bemused-but-tolerant-and-curious attitude that more mainstream scientists seem to have towards him. And remember "outlandish hypotheses have been proven correct in the past..."
If you want to learn more about the Iron Sun theory (and see some of the data) check out these two links:
http://www.thesunisiron.com/
http://www.thesurfaceofthesun.com/
Or is it?
In the late 60's a chemist named Oliver Manuel began developing a theory that the sun actually has an iron core. I mention this because 1) it's interesting and 2) it led me to a wonderful article about how science works - here are a few excerpts
Manuel fits a popular stereotype, the lone dissenter promoting a new idea that flies in the face of the scientific establishment. In the real world, some of these theories eventually have been proven right but vastly more have been proven wrong. Manuel is under no illusions about the popularity of his idea. "Ninety-nine percent of the field will tell you it's junk science," he says. The evidence weighs in heavily against him. If he's right, however, we need to completely rethink how planetary systems form. Even if he's wrong, some scientists say, at least he has made people think.
Although most scientists don't believe Manuel's theory, they all acknowledge that outlandish hypotheses have been proven correct in the past. It seems especially unlikely in Manuel's case, however...
Still, some scientists see fringe theorists like Manuel as an asset, as they make people reassess long-held theories. "Manuel is a little off the wall," Lewis says. "But science is filled with people a little off the wall. Our great strength is to allow them to express their views." Manuel's views got an airing again at the January meeting of the American Astronomical Society meeting in Washington, DC, where once again they received little notice.
Meanwhile, Manuel continues to argue his theory with an air of implacable certainty, believing that solar physics is on the verge of a revolution. He talks as though scientists need only to come to their senses and reassess the data. "I'm not trying to refute the professional careers of the scientists whose shoulders I'm standing on," Manuel says. "My work depends on their evidence. It's just a different interpretation."
I like this Manuel guy. I also like the bemused-but-tolerant-and-curious attitude that more mainstream scientists seem to have towards him. And remember "outlandish hypotheses have been proven correct in the past..."
If you want to learn more about the Iron Sun theory (and see some of the data) check out these two links:
http://www.thesunisiron.com/
http://www.thesurfaceofthesun.com/
The Simplicity Cycle
Most of you have probably heard about / read it already, but I thought I'd mention (one more time) that my Simplicity Cycle Manifesto was published at ChangeThis.com.
I've also created a website for the Simplicity Cycle, with some VERY groovy artwork by Ryan McKeel.
Enjoy!
I've also created a website for the Simplicity Cycle, with some VERY groovy artwork by Ryan McKeel.
Enjoy!
More Thinking Expedition Quotes
A brief overview of a few things I heard while hanging around with the EDS Fellows.
"There are no facts about the future." - Jeff Wacker, EDS Fellow
"I reject your reality and inject my own." - Charie Bess, EDS Fellow
"Until a group feels lost, there are no major breakthroughs in thinking." - Rolf Smith, Lead Guide.
The reverse side also has a reverse side. - Japanese Proverb
I hope I managed to take you somewhere today. - Carl Richards, Artist
There is no perfect time to write. There is only now. - Barbara Kingsolver, author
"There are no facts about the future." - Jeff Wacker, EDS Fellow
"I reject your reality and inject my own." - Charie Bess, EDS Fellow
"Until a group feels lost, there are no major breakthroughs in thinking." - Rolf Smith, Lead Guide.
The reverse side also has a reverse side. - Japanese Proverb
I hope I managed to take you somewhere today. - Carl Richards, Artist
There is no perfect time to write. There is only now. - Barbara Kingsolver, author
Types of creativity
One of the great observations that came out of a recent "thinking expedition" goes something like this: The question is not 'Are you creative?' but rather, 'How are you creative?'"
The point is there are many types of creativity. One way to describe / divide / understand these types is using a scale called the Kirton Adaption-Innovation (KAI) Inventory.
In Kirton's framework, adaptors tend to accept the problem definition, while innovators tend to challenge the problem definition. Adaptors tend to focus on resolving problems; innovators tend to focus on discovering problems and avenues to their solutions.
Me? I'm w-a-y at the innovator side of the scale. That doesn't mean I'm more creative than anyone else - it just means the way I approach problem solving tends to have certain characteristics.
And despite my tendency to think of the innovative way as being better, I must admit Thomas Edison is a great example of a strong Adaptor who was VERY creative.
And as that famous guy named Anonymous once said, "I'm not sure I understand everything I know about this."
The point is there are many types of creativity. One way to describe / divide / understand these types is using a scale called the Kirton Adaption-Innovation (KAI) Inventory.
In Kirton's framework, adaptors tend to accept the problem definition, while innovators tend to challenge the problem definition. Adaptors tend to focus on resolving problems; innovators tend to focus on discovering problems and avenues to their solutions.
Me? I'm w-a-y at the innovator side of the scale. That doesn't mean I'm more creative than anyone else - it just means the way I approach problem solving tends to have certain characteristics.
And despite my tendency to think of the innovative way as being better, I must admit Thomas Edison is a great example of a strong Adaptor who was VERY creative.
And as that famous guy named Anonymous once said, "I'm not sure I understand everything I know about this."
04 May 2006
EDS, SOA & MMOG's
My new friends over at EDS have a blog that's worth checking out - and to get you started, click over to this entry about massively multi-player games like Second Life, and their potential applications to Service Oriented Architectures.
Cool!
Cool!
25 April 2006
"See" With Your Tongue
In the "sensory augmentation" category, the award for coolest innovation goes to: the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.
Researchers there are working on ways to route signals from infrared/night-vision goggles, sonar, cameras and other types of sensors directly to the brains of Navy SEALs and Army Rangers - through a "Brain Port" that uses a narrow strip of plastic attached to a person's tongue. They are doing some actual testing now, and the end result could include things like 360 degree "vision" (at night!).
Weird, cool, and fascinating.
Researchers there are working on ways to route signals from infrared/night-vision goggles, sonar, cameras and other types of sensors directly to the brains of Navy SEALs and Army Rangers - through a "Brain Port" that uses a narrow strip of plastic attached to a person's tongue. They are doing some actual testing now, and the end result could include things like 360 degree "vision" (at night!).
Weird, cool, and fascinating.
14 April 2006
Weird Clouds
Recently came across a collection of photos of the strangest looking clouds I've ever seen. They're called Mammatus clouds, and I'm sure Kevin could explain them. I just can't believe these are actual photographs, and thought you might enjoy them...
13 April 2006
Getting Creativer
I was checking out one of my favorite blogs, The Creative Generalist, and came across a posting titled "Avoid Best Practices." The main point there was basically that the so-called best practices are, by definition, not original... and originality matters.
That posting was actually quoting from another article from a webzine called Strategy Magazine... and in addition to recommending that people avoid best practices, that article also quoted Picasso's comment "Never borrow. Steal."
Are those two concepts contradictory? No - I think they're the same basic concept. In both cases, they advocate authentic self expression. They are talking about owning stuff (whether it's your own originality or something you stole from someone). And here I am, "stealing" from two blogs and a dead artist, to make my own point about creativity.
I think it was TS Elliot who said "Talent imitates. Genius steals." I hope you won't be content with mere imitation...
That posting was actually quoting from another article from a webzine called Strategy Magazine... and in addition to recommending that people avoid best practices, that article also quoted Picasso's comment "Never borrow. Steal."
Are those two concepts contradictory? No - I think they're the same basic concept. In both cases, they advocate authentic self expression. They are talking about owning stuff (whether it's your own originality or something you stole from someone). And here I am, "stealing" from two blogs and a dead artist, to make my own point about creativity.
I think it was TS Elliot who said "Talent imitates. Genius steals." I hope you won't be content with mere imitation...
23 March 2006
New favorite phrase
I'm doing some research on the topic of innovation, and came across a beautiful statement somewhere. It struck me so hard that I can't recall where it came from (although a google search turns up many places where it's being used). I just stopped reading, grabbed a notebook and jotted these three words down:
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. That's what it's really all about, isn't it? The world moves forward on the legs of those who pursue innovation without permission. Seeking permission to be innovative basically misses the point and waters down the product considerably. Generally speaking, permission is usually granted to things (& people!) which are safe, predictable, etc... which is not exactly condusive to innovation.
OK, I've got a lot more to say on this subject, but I'll stop for now because "Innovation without permission" basically says it all...
Innovation without permission.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. That's what it's really all about, isn't it? The world moves forward on the legs of those who pursue innovation without permission. Seeking permission to be innovative basically misses the point and waters down the product considerably. Generally speaking, permission is usually granted to things (& people!) which are safe, predictable, etc... which is not exactly condusive to innovation.
OK, I've got a lot more to say on this subject, but I'll stop for now because "Innovation without permission" basically says it all...
21 March 2006
You Can't Win...
I was flipping through a copy of Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friends And Influence People," the other day. Not just because it's an interesting book, although it is. In all honesty, I was looking for a way to keep my latest project from being deep-sixed.
Somewhat to my surprise, I actually found what I was looking for, in chapter 1 of Part 3 (on page 109). Actually, I found it in the table of contents, and scarcely had to skim through pages 109 - 115 because the nugget I needed was right there in the title of the chapter: "You Can't Win An Argument."
Mr. Carnegie explains (in rhyme!): A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still...
The trick, therefore, is to not engage in an argument. Instead of disagreeing, find a way to agree that the other person is seeking / asserting / advocating the same thing as you...
It's not being underhanded or sneaky. It's just recognizing that often the best way to present your position is in terms already familiar to and accepted by the person you're talking with...
Next week: Why arguments are absolutely necessary, unavoidable and winnable (I think).
Somewhat to my surprise, I actually found what I was looking for, in chapter 1 of Part 3 (on page 109). Actually, I found it in the table of contents, and scarcely had to skim through pages 109 - 115 because the nugget I needed was right there in the title of the chapter: "You Can't Win An Argument."
Mr. Carnegie explains (in rhyme!): A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still...
The trick, therefore, is to not engage in an argument. Instead of disagreeing, find a way to agree that the other person is seeking / asserting / advocating the same thing as you...
It's not being underhanded or sneaky. It's just recognizing that often the best way to present your position is in terms already familiar to and accepted by the person you're talking with...
Next week: Why arguments are absolutely necessary, unavoidable and winnable (I think).
16 March 2006
Obscurity Knocks...
When I was in high school, I listened to a lot of obscure music. I still listen to some of it, and it's really quite good. But I must admit that aside from the quality, part of the pleasure comes from knowing that most people have never heard of Camper Van Beethoven, Big Audio Dynamite, The Lightning Seeds or the Trashcan Sinatras, for example.
Why do I enjoy that stuff? What's so great about listening to music that most people have overlooked? I already mentioned the quality, and most of it was really creative and different from standard radio pop-40. I think it also has something to do with a sense of independence and individuality. I listen to this music because I like it, not because everyone else likes it. But I think there's something even deeper going on here...
If you want to be creative and think differently from the maddening crowds all around you, I think it helps to expose yourself to unusual things (music, ideas, etc). That's one reason I tend to read old books (i.e. G.K. Chesterton), obscure books (i.e. The Hacker Ethic by Pekka Himanen) and otherwise unusual books (i.e. AnOther by ee cummings). And that's probably why I haven't read Gladwell's Blink, or Friedman's The World Is Flat or Levitt's Freakanomics. It's not that those books aren't good - I'm sure they are. Being popular does not make them bad - it just makes them common... and I'm constantly on the lookout for the uncommon...
Why do I enjoy that stuff? What's so great about listening to music that most people have overlooked? I already mentioned the quality, and most of it was really creative and different from standard radio pop-40. I think it also has something to do with a sense of independence and individuality. I listen to this music because I like it, not because everyone else likes it. But I think there's something even deeper going on here...
If you want to be creative and think differently from the maddening crowds all around you, I think it helps to expose yourself to unusual things (music, ideas, etc). That's one reason I tend to read old books (i.e. G.K. Chesterton), obscure books (i.e. The Hacker Ethic by Pekka Himanen) and otherwise unusual books (i.e. AnOther by ee cummings). And that's probably why I haven't read Gladwell's Blink, or Friedman's The World Is Flat or Levitt's Freakanomics. It's not that those books aren't good - I'm sure they are. Being popular does not make them bad - it just makes them common... and I'm constantly on the lookout for the uncommon...
14 March 2006
Presentation Zen & Design
So I just discovered a blog titled Presentation Zen. It's all about - you guessed it - presentations, from the perspective of a zen aesthetic. Found several references to Edward Tufte of "Power corrupts. PowerPoint corrupts absolutely" fame.
The blog is fantastic.
It's funny, relevant, engaging and informative.
Like I said - fantastic.
Among the gems I found there was a link to a video spoof that answers the question "What would happen if Microsoft redesigned the iPod packaging." Brilliant - watch & heed!
The blog is fantastic.
It's funny, relevant, engaging and informative.
Like I said - fantastic.
Among the gems I found there was a link to a video spoof that answers the question "What would happen if Microsoft redesigned the iPod packaging." Brilliant - watch & heed!
13 March 2006
Stuff Our Kids Will Laugh About
I'm not big on making predictions about The Future - I have a hard enough time predicting the present. However, I do occasionally pull out the old crystal ball, and today I'm offering my short list of things our kids will laugh at us about.
Our kids will laugh at us for using passwords. In the future, they'll use retina scans, voice recognition, finger prints and/or RFID chips embedded in their brains. Passwords? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for "dialing up" the internet... or for connecting to the internet (or metaweb or whatever they call it) using any sort of wire at all. In the future, their connections will all be wireless, broadband x 1000 (and quite secure, thank you very much). Wires? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for our enormous laptop computers (and don't even get them started on the desktop machines). In the future, you'll have access to all the computing power you need via your wristwatch and sunglasses, as you surf the web, hold video conferences and create documents while sitting in a cabin in the woods. Computers measured in pounds and feet? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for losing data. Sure, computers will still have bugs, viruses and crashes in the future, but your data will be securely backed up automatically, with no effort on your part. Buring all your important files to a backup CD? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for using passwords. In the future, they'll use retina scans, voice recognition, finger prints and/or RFID chips embedded in their brains. Passwords? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for "dialing up" the internet... or for connecting to the internet (or metaweb or whatever they call it) using any sort of wire at all. In the future, their connections will all be wireless, broadband x 1000 (and quite secure, thank you very much). Wires? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for our enormous laptop computers (and don't even get them started on the desktop machines). In the future, you'll have access to all the computing power you need via your wristwatch and sunglasses, as you surf the web, hold video conferences and create documents while sitting in a cabin in the woods. Computers measured in pounds and feet? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for losing data. Sure, computers will still have bugs, viruses and crashes in the future, but your data will be securely backed up automatically, with no effort on your part. Buring all your important files to a backup CD? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for using iPods. Sure, they're hot now, but in the future... well, I can't imagine what will be the iPod killer in the future (could anyone have predicted the iPod at the height of the cassette-playing Walkman?). Carrying around a $400 device to play music? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for relying so much on text. In the future, audio / video / multi-media will be king. People will still read books, and some might still read newspapers made of paper, but most of our information will come in non-text forms. Typing? No way.
Our kids will laugh at our cell phones. In the future, your videophone sunglasses (see laptop entry above) will work great. There will be no worries about spotty coverage, dropped calls, poor voice quality or complicated calling plans (ok, the complicated calling plans are probably here to stay). Handsets? No way.
Our kids will laugh at us for relying on batteries. In the future, new power supplies will lead to innovative distribution methods, including ubiquitous wireless power supplies. I sure hope this one comes true. It'll probably be our grandkids, not our kids, but a guy can dream, can't he? Batteries? I hope not...
Got anything to add?
My (new) Favorite Word
Heteroskedasticity
It's a term from statistics that basically means there's something wrong with your assumptions.
To be precise, it means a sample may vary from the norm in self-selected ways not taken in to account by your model… and that’s bad. In statistics, you might assume the error term has a constant variance…This will be true if the observations of the error term are assumed to be drawn from identical distributions. Heteroskedasticity is a violation of this assumption.
Like I said, it means there's something wrong with your assumptions.
Heteroskedasticity - fun to say, and it means something interesting.
It's a term from statistics that basically means there's something wrong with your assumptions.
To be precise, it means a sample may vary from the norm in self-selected ways not taken in to account by your model… and that’s bad. In statistics, you might assume the error term has a constant variance…This will be true if the observations of the error term are assumed to be drawn from identical distributions. Heteroskedasticity is a violation of this assumption.
Like I said, it means there's something wrong with your assumptions.
Heteroskedasticity - fun to say, and it means something interesting.
10 March 2006
Curious George Soundtrack
My birthday was yesterday and I received an amazing, beautiful CD - the soundtrack from the Curious George movie.
I saw the movie last month (with the kids, of course), and although the story, artwork, etc is fantastic, the film is worth seeing for the soundtrack alone. The music is by Jack Johnson, a surfer/singer/songwriter from Hawaii, and it's some of the most mellow, infectious and groovy little tunes I've ever encountered.
I know, this really has nothing to do with technology development, innovation, etc... but it's such a darn good CD I couldn't resist.
I saw the movie last month (with the kids, of course), and although the story, artwork, etc is fantastic, the film is worth seeing for the soundtrack alone. The music is by Jack Johnson, a surfer/singer/songwriter from Hawaii, and it's some of the most mellow, infectious and groovy little tunes I've ever encountered.
I know, this really has nothing to do with technology development, innovation, etc... but it's such a darn good CD I couldn't resist.
28 February 2006
What I'm Reading
OK, time for a quick look at some of the stuff I'm filling my brain with:
GK Chesterton's Collected Works, Vol XX - This one contains a travelogue of his trips to the US and Rome. It's fascinating to see a British journalist (from early 1900's) give his impressions of this country. Quite insightful into our national character, and strikingly still relevant & accurate...
The Man Who Knew Too Much, by G.K. Chesterton. A collection of short detective stories - quite good!
Military Mavericks, by David Rooney. Thanks to Kevin for passing this one my way. Short historical vignettes about military men who think & act & fight a bit differently than the rest (think Lawrence of Arabia).
Rough Riders, by Theodore Roosevelt. This guy was absolutely the best president ever, in my opinion. His first-hand account of his adventures with the Rough Riders is brilliant & moving.
And I just finished At The Back Of The North Wind, by George MacDonald. Pretty amazing Victorian fairytale novel about a kid who meets the incarnation of the North Wind... I won't spoil the ending by telling you what her other name is.
And as always there's an assortment of blogs, websites, WIRED magazine...
How about you? What's on your reading list these days?
GK Chesterton's Collected Works, Vol XX - This one contains a travelogue of his trips to the US and Rome. It's fascinating to see a British journalist (from early 1900's) give his impressions of this country. Quite insightful into our national character, and strikingly still relevant & accurate...
The Man Who Knew Too Much, by G.K. Chesterton. A collection of short detective stories - quite good!
Military Mavericks, by David Rooney. Thanks to Kevin for passing this one my way. Short historical vignettes about military men who think & act & fight a bit differently than the rest (think Lawrence of Arabia).
Rough Riders, by Theodore Roosevelt. This guy was absolutely the best president ever, in my opinion. His first-hand account of his adventures with the Rough Riders is brilliant & moving.
And I just finished At The Back Of The North Wind, by George MacDonald. Pretty amazing Victorian fairytale novel about a kid who meets the incarnation of the North Wind... I won't spoil the ending by telling you what her other name is.
And as always there's an assortment of blogs, websites, WIRED magazine...
How about you? What's on your reading list these days?
23 February 2006
Getting Artistic
Want to foster creativity, artistic sensibilities and a sense of design passion? (I hope the answer is yes!)... Then spend some time with the artistic output of creative types you admire.
Personally, I'm a fan of ee cummings, Walt Whitman, Jackson Pollock, Renoir and the afore mentioned Polly Paulusma... Steve Martin and Robin Williams are high on that list too.
Art & creativity take many different forms (and yes, comedy is an art), and time spend exposing oneself to it counts as personal development time... just like the time we spend in the gym.
When was the last time you read a poem? Admired a painting (I mean really admired it and let it sink in to your gut)? Listened - really, really listened - to good music?
To neglect that dimension of our personal & professional development is even worse than skipping PT...
Personally, I'm a fan of ee cummings, Walt Whitman, Jackson Pollock, Renoir and the afore mentioned Polly Paulusma... Steve Martin and Robin Williams are high on that list too.
Art & creativity take many different forms (and yes, comedy is an art), and time spend exposing oneself to it counts as personal development time... just like the time we spend in the gym.
When was the last time you read a poem? Admired a painting (I mean really admired it and let it sink in to your gut)? Listened - really, really listened - to good music?
To neglect that dimension of our personal & professional development is even worse than skipping PT...
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