Want to join in? Hashtag is #375.

What do I mean by “my kind of debate”?

Well, I think we’re all familiar with the back and forth structure of argumentation that is employed in politics or in high school debate teams. There is a winner and loser. And you’re so busy figuring out what you’re saying next, you barely listen to the comments from the other side. Take this to the extreme and you get debates at 350 wpm where any undisputed statement is considered fact (huh?).

In the SALT broadcast, two speakers are expected to express their viewpoint in a prepared opening remark. Then the counter-point person interviews them with the help of a panel. The questions sounded like genuine attempts to understand rather than trip-up an opponent. Then the questioner does not get to present until s/he has summarized the presentation to the presenter’s satisfaction. Then and only then do they switch roles. Afterwards, questions from the audience, moderators and other discussion.

Sounds to me like a great model for increased understanding and the pursuit of something like truth. And if not, at least we’ll have more respect for each other.

And to push it further, why should there only be two “sides”? Isn’t the world more complicated than only A or not A?

Have you heard of this before? Is there a name for it?

In the past, I’ve shared some thoughts on reading faster either through technology or training. But sometimes you want your eyes and hands for other things. And listening, while slower, is the best option. Plus, increasingly, there is content only available in audio format. I have many more hours of podcasts on my devices then I will ever absorb.

I’ve read the claims online that “Because your brain can process up to 600 words-per-minute and the average person speaks at 125 to 150 words-per-minute, speed-listening does NOT require any training.” My experience is that it does take a little getting used to the faster speech. That said, t is totally worth it and now x2 speed sounds normal to me.

Why have I stopped at x2 speed? Because that is what is built into the iPhone and iPod. I hear rumors that Android can play faster although I have not found that feature on my device. In iOS, there is a paid app that claims to go up to x2.5 speed, but I want faster.

If you know how to get up to x4 on iOS (iPhone) without preprocessing on the computer please let me know.

I miss it. And so I’ve been looking for the right opportunity to do a public art project. So, that’s why I’m teaming up with Ben Berkowitz and Upper State Street and others to bring the Inside Out project to New Haven.

If you’re not familar with the global Inside Out project, check out JR’s TED talk. He was named a TED fellow and has launched this project globally. Each individual or group that participates chooses their own theme. Our focus is neighborhood.

Here’s our pitch:

Today a multi-lane freeway divides what once was one neighborhood: barren concrete cuts across State at Bradley and Humphrey at State.

Over the past few years, with the help of URI, we have cleaned-up, planted trees and painted fences.

Inspired by the Inside Out Project, now it is time to take one more step to bring the neighborhood closer together.

Let’s get to know each others faces. Inside Out #NHV seeks to post ~200 portraits of the people who live here.

We will cover the overpasses with huge portraits of our actual neighbors. No models need apply. And we’re doing this with local money and local photographers.

If you are interested to learn more or get involved, head over to website at InsideOutNHV.com

We got a bit more formal (but only a bit) and created a LinkedIn group. We now have over 100 members online although not everyone likes my 7:30am start time for breakfast.

So, we’re moving to a lunch weekly meeting organized by Stephen Robinson and Tim Holahan in downtown New Haven. I’m excited that the group has picked up enough momentum to cast off the shackles of my original conception. Although, I’m glad that we’re still focused on weekly and founders.

Why Weekly? My theory is that at best any one person will make half the events (myself included). If you do monthly that’s only 6 or so times a year. That doesn’t seem like enough to build real relationships where you would feel comfortable emailing or calling someone when you wanted some help. Every other week amounts to 12 times you’re showing up which is getting there, but weekly gives you close to 25 times a year and that is really getting there. Plus, I really like the low administrative overhead of doing something every week. Set it and remember (or forget and leave it in you calendar).

Why Focused on Founders? There are plenty of networking events that include investors and service providers. And there are educational sessions for people interested in starting a business that may include mentoring. That said, I have not seen enough events where founders get to mingle in a low pressure environment and talk about their challenges and not just their successes. I want a place where people can ask each other: How did you divide up equity? Who are the investors you want in your business? When is the right time to part ways with an employee or co-founder? Or even just to be silly with each other.

If you’re a founder in the New Haven and interested, please join us.

Launch Haven will be an “unconference-style” gathering that offers you a unique opportunity to:
a) pitch an idea you want to work on
b) match up with others who want to work on it with you for a night

and C) they also had some training classes on Android programming and HTML 5 this week.

Plus pizza and beer. What’s not to like?

At Grove in downtown New Haven every 3rd thursday 7pm.

OK, you probably already knew that, but wanted to get that straight.

I spend most of my time working on Higher One, hanging with family or sleeping. Whenever I’m not doing those things and I want to express my curiosity, love of learning, or another passion, I may take the blogosphere.

Although I may touch on things informed by my experience as an founder, officer or board member of various organizations, I am not speaking on behalf of any of them here. When a project is in the early stages (like MakeHaven), I may blog about it. As an project gets wings, I’ll touch on it less. As the larger the organization or company, the more they have resources and teams to speak for themselves and control of other channels.

Now that we’re clear on that, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

And unlike others, he does not frame a trade-off between people’s desire for a better life and the rest of the natural world’s health. Rather the vision is of positive environmentalism rooted in economics and engineering. A well-grounded belief that by thoughtful application of design we can improve our quality of life while using less resources: Abundance by Design.

Two points particularly stuck with me:

One, you do not have to agree on motives to agree on outcomes and solutions. If you want to move from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy to reduce climate weirding or to make money, you can get aboard. And he does a good job explaining the tremendous market opportunity ($5trillion NPV) and lower risks (environmental, health, national security, etc.) of pursuing the switch.

Two, the set of changes he lays out to get us off fossil fuels by 2050 requires little in the way of government action. That’s really good news as I’m not sure if/when we will have that in the US.

I’m two thirds of the way through his new book Reinventing Fire which is more accessible and intriguing than the previous Winning the Oil Endgame. I recommend checking it out.

Details and final doc on their website.

Curious for any thoughts.

Here is the notice that was emailed out from the state today.

Notice to Potential Innovation Ecosystem Applicants – 2-3-12