Topics

Jun

All the World’s Got Gamification

by Janine Boylan on June 10, 2013

Checking points and rewards is easy with a smart phone.
© Thinkstock

An Observation About Life

It was a Saturday like any other. Read more...

I started my day with a walk. I turned on my fitness app to record how far and how fast my journey was. My walk earned me fifteen fitness points.
I opened my food app to scan my cereal bar code and enter my breakfast food data. Not a bad calorie count to begin the day. The app shared that I had 1900 calories left to spend.

Janine Boylan 4 Comments

Innovations/Secrets to Life

Mar

What Seeds Vertical Farms? Creative Problem Solving!

by Janine Boylan on March 11, 2013

Growing plants, illustrating creative problem solving at The Plant Chicago

Vegetables growing in water at The Plant, Chicago
© Plant Chicago, NFP/Rachel Swenie

How “The Plant” in Chicago Inspired Me

You may have heard that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Headed by John Edel, the team at The Plant in Chicago is putting this concept to work—in farming. Their creative problem solving is directed at achieving truly sustainable food production.

Housed in a former meatpacking plant building, The Plant is an indoor vertical farm with a closed-loop production model. How does it work? Read more...

Janine Boylan Comments

Clever Ideas/Innovations

Feb

Apps for Apes Point the Way to a Happier Life

by Meredith Mullins on February 28, 2013

Three orangutans making choices about apps for apes to live a happier life

Making Choices Count

“What do you want to do today?”

“Dunno. How about you?”

“We could hang around for a while, then get something to eat.”

“That sounds good. But we do that everyday.”

“We could try that virtual drum app on the iPad.”

“Yeah, I like that one. Awesome rhythms.”

“Or the koi pond app. I love those shimmering fish swimming in the turquoise water. It’s relaxing. Even when I’m calm, though, I like to tap that screen and watch those koi scatter.”

“Bring on the iPads!” Read more...

Meredith Mullins 4 Comments