Doctor Brilliant

clipped from www.guardian.co.uk He helped beat smallpox and saved 3m people’s sight. Now the first techno-philanthropist has an even more ambitious task. Spending $2bn of Google’s money Larry Brilliant has a habit of solving big problems. As a doctor working for the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the late 1970s, he turned his energies towards one of the planet’s most destructive diseases: as a result, he is one of those credited with eradicating smallpox. These days Brilliant might be approaching retirement age, but he’s set himself some new challenges, among them lowering the cost of renewable energy, spotting pandemics before they happen and creating jobs in Africa. This time around, however, he’s not going it alone. In fact, he’s got the backing of one of the most powerful companies in the world. It is two years since Dr Brilliant took over Google’s philanthropic foundation, Google.org, and two weeks since the announcement of an ambitious slate of projects.

Picture Post: Dubya does Tanzania, 18.02.08

clipped from www.independent.co.uk Bush was in Tanzania to sign a compact for $698m in aid from the United States to help the African nation in its struggle against the spread of malaria. He had also brought Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, a basketball player in his youth, the gift of a pair of Shaquille O’Neal’s trainers. The brother and sister of Dr Seuss’s seminal tale are forced by a “cold, cold wet day” to stay inside, wishing for something to do. President Bush had no such problem, and was entertained, as ever, by the best reception his hosts had to offer. His state visits are often characterised by bemusement, as he grins uncomprehendingly at the performances of local dancers such as these Tanzanians in traditional warrior dress. Sometimes, God help us, he joins in. The native people never seem to know quite what to make of Dubya, and perhaps the feeling is mutual. But, as ever, one thing you can’t fault is his enthusiasm.

Gates calls for creative capitalism to help poor

clipped from www.guardian.co.uk Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, last night called for a new version of global capitalism that delivered benefits to the poor as well as the rich. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the software entrepreneur and one of the world’s richest men said there was a need for “a creative capitalism” that would use market forces to address the needs of the world’s poorest countries. “We have to find a way to make the aspects of capitalism that serve wealthier people serve poorer people as well,” Gates said in a keynote address. “The world is getting better in many crucial ways,” Gates said. “I’m an optimist but I’m an impatient optimist. Things are not getting better fast enough and they are not getting better for everyone.” Gates added that the least needy were seeing the biggest improvements in their lives while the most needy were seeing the least improvement.

Is green the new sexy?

clipped from blogs.guardian.co.uk Recycling and turning off the standby are apparently the new ways to a woman’s heart according to a poll for men’s magazine Nuts. Women quizzed for the survey on the personality traits they found most attractive in men, put caring about the environment top of their list, surprisingly ahead of a good sense of humour. It may come as a surprise to learn that there are already a host of dating websites catering for the more “environmentally responsible” adult, from earthwise singles, to veggie romance and lovesorganic. Ironically ‘well travelled’ is a trait women also rated highly in the poll, just after confidence and intelligence. (No mention of good looks or being good in the sack). But isn’t it difficult to be well travelled these days, without flying vast distances and destroying the planet in the process? So perhaps bragging about the size of your carbon offset credits will become the new party chat up line.

A little green computing machine that made Intel see red

clipped from www.guardian.co.uk An interesting package arrived in my household the other day: a small bright green-and-white laptop with a built-in carrying handle. It looks as if it has been designed by Fisher-Price, an impression reinforced by two little ‘ears’ which, when unclipped, double as wi-fi antennae. The 7.5in screen rotates and folds back on itself to form a kind of tablet, rather like those pricey Toshiba laptops only Microsoft salespeople can afford. It’s the celebrated ‘$100 laptop’, the brainchild of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project (www.laptop.org). Its designers have christened it the XO. I paid $200 for it. Actually, I laid out $399, which got me two machines, on condition that one was donated to a child in a poor country where OLPC has an established programme in place. It’s what they call the ‘Buy two, get one’ initiative (www.xogiving.org). The machine has no moving parts, and can (so I’m told) be dropped from five feet without significant damage.

The lingerie label’s bottom line on Guantánamo Bay …

clipped from lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk So it’s Valentine’s Day. Still haven’t been able to think of anything to give that special lady that would let her know how much you care? Why, how about some nice Guantánamo Bay lingerie? Nothing says “You complete my soul” better than a pair of orange pants bedecked with mini handcuffs. Admittedly, the knickers are meant to be saying a little more than that. They are the product of what some might consider an unlikely alliance – Joe Corre, he of slinky lingerie label Agent Provocateur fame, and Clive Stafford Smith, director of the charity Reprieve and better known for defending people on death row than working out the correct balance between silk and polyester on a pair of knickers. Ar

What does everyone think

Great project from ‘6 billion others’ asking normal people normal questions about everyday life – literally from every part of the globe

clipped from 6billionothers.org

The best party political broadcast ever?

Will he make a difference to the world?

clipped from www.youtube.com DVD Quality: Barack Obama Yes we can Music Video

Save The ‘Clever’ Children…

People seem to like this – what do you think – go to link to view….

clipped from www.brandrepublic.com Save the Children ‘clever’ by Wieden & Kennedy This Save the Children spot kicks off a three-year global campaign that aims to show how simple it is to save a child’s life. Called “clever”, the ad focuses on micro-nutrient peanut butter, which can be digested by shrunken stomachs, meaning that it can keep malnourished kids alive. The voiceover is provided by Thomas Turgoose, the child star from the award winning film ‘This is England’. There will be seven executions in total, each detailing a simple life-saving solution. First Aired: 11-Feb-08   Media: Television   Country: United Kingdom   Agency: Wieden & Kennedy   Client: Save the Children

Ethical Valentines?

clipped from www.dfid.gov.uk Buy a Kenyan rose this Valentine’s day International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander asks consumers to buy Kenyan flowers this Thursday International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today encouraged romantics in the UK to buy Kenyan flowers this Valentine’s Day. Farmers and flower producers have been working extra hard to get flowers to market in time for Valentine’s Day given the unrest in the country. Kenya is the lead exporter into the European Union of cut flowers. Roses constitute more than 70% of Kenya’s flower exports and by meeting demand for roses used on 14 February and Mother’s Day (March 2) exporters earn more than the rest of the year’s sales combined. The Kenyan economy is already under great strain given the political situation and a dip in exports could make the country’s problems worse including many further job losses.