Notes From Akash

As I have tapered off on running, I’ve been getting more interested in biking.  Dusting off the bike I bought during two years of marathon training and also watching the Tour de France in spurts this year.

The video talks about the technology behind a great idea — once again from Nike. I am posting because I still think there’s a lack of imagination many times in what you can accomplish today. Having finished up this year’s round of brainstorms for 2010, I think it’s still evident that many of us (myself included) think inside each medium and not how each piece can essentially play a role in the greater good.

Gallery of Chalkbot images here.

Another fine example of how mobile and augmented reality could be game-changers.

On a recent visit to NYC, I used the Google Map and Yelp app more than a dozen times a day. My iPhone was the most important tool I had to get to our next destination or make plans on the fly.

In case you missed the first example which I tweeted last week, showing the London Tube and it’s intersection with mobile.

Ponder this: could defining your fears be more important than defining your goals?

My answer is yes and it’s a bit of both.  True goals come from understanding your fears and what is behind those fears.  This applies easily to the marketing world.  In your next planning or strategy session, start defining the fears then apply ways to overcome those.

I watched a dvr’d episode of Bill Maher last night with Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner and purveyor of microcredit.  He was very inspiring, one concept he talked about was business that is about making the world a better place — with profitablity in mind.  As the founder of Grameen Bank he’s definitely living by that principle. He further explained that there is greed in people but there is also the desire to make a change.

Today I came across this video, which happens to be from an organization called Playing for Change.  Watch the video and see the description below.  I’m not usually one to talk about change or social issues.  But this struck me as an amazing idea and one that benefits people.  And an idea that stands out which is what we’re striving for most days we walk into the office.  I wish them the best and am signing up.

About the video: This cover of Stand By Me was recorded by completely unknown artists in a street virtual studio all around the world. It all started with a base track—vocals and guitar—recorded on the streets of Santa Monica, California, by a street musician called Roger Ridley. The base track was then taken to New Orleans, Louisiana. And from there, the producers took the resulting mix all through Europe, Africa, and South America, adding new tracks with multiple instruments and vocals that were assembled in the final version you are seeing in this video. All done with a simple laptop and some microphones.

Dan Ariely talk at TED, imagine if always took the time to do what he says when  developing experiences for consumers.  I know my experience design friends would be happy — if we’re still friends that is.