In Praise of Basic Research, or It Doesn’t All Have to Be Useful

I try to remember to do basic research every once in a while, where I figure out how the world works without a goal in mind. This contrasts with applied research, which is about solving particular problems or taking advantage of specific opportunities. The distinction can be pretty clear in science. For example, in physicsRead… Read more »

I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were

True story time. Last year, I was honoured to be asked to present and run two workshops at the LGcomms Academy, their newly revamped AGM meeting of minds. For those who don’t know, LGcomms stands for Local Government Communications and is national body representing UK Local Authorities in their efforts to better their communication efforts.Read… Read more »

NAGC’s Communicator of the Year Nominations

Do you know an outstanding government communicator? A public servant or organization that set an example for others in 2012? Each year, the National Association of Government Communicators recognizes a government communicator who has exemplified the best or most innovative communications practices and helped instill public trust by effectively presenting accurate, timely and meaningful information,Read… Read more »

Nothing succeeds like success

Winning breeds winning I admit it, I like to win. There is something about success that just makes me feel good. Maybe it’s just the endorphins talking, but sometimes that win or success seems to feed into the next. It turns out I’m not the only one. “The winner effect” describes a biochemical change thatRead… Read more »

NAGC’s “Communicator of the Year” Nominations

Do you know an outstanding government communicator? A public servant or organization that set an example for others in 2012? Each year, the National Association of Government Communicators recognizes a government communicator who has exemplified the best or most innovative communications practices and helped instill public trust by effectively presenting accurate, timely and meaningful information,Read… Read more »

Crowdfunding Government

A few months ago, I had the privilege of outlining Citizinvestor‘s long-term vision for crowdfunding government projects at a TEDx event in Tampa, Florida. Here’s video of my talk: I would love to hear what you think about this idea! Please leave your thoughts in a comment below.

Succeeding or not on the internet

A lot of people are unwilling to innovate online because they’re worried it’ll go badly. After all, there’s a story every week in the media about someone ballsing up online in one way or another. It strikes me, from only a cursory examination of a lot of these stories, that most of the time, peopleRead… Read more »

From NIFI: Some Resources for Deliberating about Violence

The following is a beginning collection of resources from the National Forums Institute news page that may be helpful to those who would like to deliberate about violence, and/or to frame violence-related issues. NIF is known for its careful, well-researched strategies for “naming and framing” issues in a balanced way that represents a variety ofRead… Read more »

AFGE URGES CONGRESS TO REJECT PAY FREEZE EXTENSION FOR FEDERAL WORKERS

The American Federation of Government Employees is calling on members of Congress to reject a proposal that would extend the two-year pay freeze on federal employees for another year. Federal employees already have sacrificed $103 billion over 10 years to deficit reduction. President Obama has delayed until April the already-paltry 0.5% adjustment proposed for 2013,Read… Read more »