Inspirational Sparks

I would like to make this discussion thread a place where we can share random things from the Internet that we find interesting or especially inspiring with other members of this group.

There are no rules in this discussion group. You can post whole articles or just the link. Photos or just a sketch. You can use good grammar or bad. It doesn't matter either way. They don't even have to be things that you agree with or disagree with. Maybe you simply share something that you find controversial..

The whole point is share information that others may find inspirational and spark a new creative direction.

To start, I would like to bring to your attention this article from the Futurist by Julian Bleeker about the importance slowing down our actions and thoughts in todays society, titled, "Hurry up and Wait."

http://www.good.is/post/hurry-up-and-wait

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Permalink Reply by Bradley Flora on November 7, 2010 at 12:12pm

Here's a site that is full of random, and interesting, diversions:

http://www.zefrank.com/

Permalink Reply by Bradley Flora on November 28, 2010 at 12:14am

And now for something completely different:

Here is a mashables.com article about corporate advertising in social games (like Farmville).

http://mashable.com/2010/11/27/misconceptions-social-games/

At this point it's not an advertising opportunity that any Independent Publisher can necessarily afford. However, I share it with you because it offers an awe inspiring. climpse.of what corporate branding of the future may look like...and feel free ro let that awe be heavily tinged envy and/or cynicism.

Permalink Reply by Bradley Flora on December 1, 2010 at 1:48am

Speaking of corporations, here is a news article detailing net neutrality, with the FCC scheduling an upcoming vote on regulations that may keep the internet open.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-01/net-neutrality-vote-by-u-s...

To expand on why this is important and what these decisions could mean: a formally open Internet will only be a boon for independent and self publishers. An open Internet is an open playing field for free trade and commerce - everyone within a given market basically pays the same access fee for service..and a closed 'net, on the other hand, would turn access into a product offering on a balance sheet with the products quality and availability able to be manipulated to meet the bottom line or for other, more sinister reasons.

To play devils advocate...if this FCC vote fails, corporate telecommunications could then potentially begin charging and making money by creating artificial road blocks within their network... or even reduce network speed and service for political or business reasons..to strong arm opponents or customers.

My thoughts right now are that we are on the right track towards net neutrality...but what would a world look like if corporate interest controlled access to the internet with a strong arm?

Your answer to this last question could be a great starting point for a short story or sci fi novel, which is why I being it forward for your consideration...

Permalink Reply by Bradley Flora on January 10, 2011 at 1:44pm

Here is an article about Gerber Juice, in England, and their journey towards self-sustainability using an anerobic digestion plant to produce electricity from production waste.

http://www.positivenews.org.uk/artman/publish/article_2985.shtml

Permalink Reply by Bradley Flora on May 27, 2011 at 12:08am

This is a music generator that is a great diversion, whether you are a musician, or not!

http://inudge.net/

Permalink Reply by Bradley Flora on February 9, 2012 at 12:55pm

Here is an idea that by its very nature can offer an inspirational spark.

http://www.getsparked.org/ is an online project in which two artists, authors, poets, or musicians are brought together to share and inspire new work.

One individual provides an inspiration piece and then the other, in their own medium, provides a response.

The project runs in four cycles, and the current cycle entry deadline is tomorrow, February 10th.

Even if you can't virtually attend the official project, this is the type of idea that can be used for inspiration on your own terms, in your own time.

Think about what inspires you. What can you create as a response to that inspiration?

Whether its for the official sparks project (http://www.getsparked.org/) or just on your own, there are really no guidelines for the development of the work.

Think about writing a short story, or nonfiction piece, about a painting, or song, that you appreciate.

Creatively speaking, what would you say to the original author of the inspiring work? What could you say to their audience that expands the conversation?

Even if you are unable to participate in this type of project on an official level, consider looking for inspiration and finding ways to build and play off of it. You never never where such tangents might lead.