Usa Today
Editor | On 01, Jan 2010
Message: 586Posted by: Mike Carnell
Posted on: Sunday, 27th May 2007
“25 years of 'eureka' moments is the headline on the article in the May 21, 2007 issue of USA Today Section B page 8. The state “….inventions that changed our lives since 1982.”
1. cellphones 2. laptop computers 3. Blackberry's 4. Debit cards 5. Caller ID 6. DVD's 7. Lithium rechargeable batteries 8. iPods (gotta love them) 9. Pay at the pump 10. Lettuce in a bag 11. Digital camers 12. Doppler Radar 13. Flat-panel TV's 14. Electronic tolls 15. PowerPoint 16. Microwaveable Popcorn 17. High-tech footwear 18. Online stock trading 19. Big Bertha golf clubs 20. Disposable contacts 21. Stairmaster 22. TiVo 23. Purell (hand sanitizer) 24. Home satellite TV 25. Karaoke A couple issues. First if these are as USA Today describes them, inventions, that were taken to commercial value then that makes them innovation by the definition from an earlier string. Yes that would include the iPod. Second is how amazingly superficial the list is. Perhaps that is because at the time of this post I am sitting in Africa in an area that has generally a 25% HIV positive population. The best we can do is a list that includes lettuce in a bag, karaoke and microwaveable popcorn? They may be nice to have (with the exception of Karaoke) but the list definately lacks substance not to mention a complete lack of understanding of current world issues. These three were eureka moments? There is a line in the movie “Blood Diamond” that came immediately to mind when I saw the list. Approximately “You come here with your laptop computers, malaria medicine and little bottles of hand sanitizer thinking you are going to make a difference.” How appropriate since 67% of his list is on the USA Today list. I have to believe that if innovation is such a hot topic it must contain more substance than this. Somewhere on that list, at the least, should be the ARTS medication – even if we are speaking soley about the US and not the world in general. We might even want to mention some of the cancer treatments that have been developed? You can disagree with the list as published at http://www.usatoday.com if you choose.
Message: 589
Posted by: InnovationColorado
Posted on: Monday, 28th May 2007
Mike,
Your posting is terrific — I agree completely.Regarding “inventions” or “innovations” that really make a differece — let's continue the list you stared at the end of your posting:My first nomination: how about the invention and popularization of “micro-credit”?Here are a few referenceshttp://www.grameen-info.org/mcredit/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/13/AR2006101300211.htmlIt isn't as sexy as an IPod; it did not take a lot of scientists in a lab to perfect it, like lithium batteries; it does not sit on every American table, like “lettuce in a bag”; it does not entertain us, like flat-screen TVs; and it does not help make us incredibly healthier, like “Big Bertha golf clubs”.No, none of these hallmarks of other inventions. It simply helped other people (untold thousands of people) change their own lives for the better (primarily in the developing parts of the world).… thoughts? …. Best regards, InnovationColorado
Message: 591
Posted by: Mike Carnell
Posted on: Monday, 28th May 2007
InnovationColorado,
Thoughts? Shock! I figured I was going to get blasted on this one.
I have to admit I know nothing about “micro-credit” but I will read your links. Thank you. Without even reading it I know it will be more important than lettuce in a bag.
Interesting comment on entertaining us. I showed the article to a person who had visited the US within the last year and their comment was “It seemed as if your economy was centered on entertainment.” Probably a fair comment. The list certainly would reinforce that perception/reality.
How's this for a eureka moment. As horrible as 9/11 was the eureka moment was we discovered (again) what a special person it takes to be a policeman or a fireman. For the first time in decades they are getting the respect they deserve.
Thanks for not living up to my expectation.
Regards
Message: 592
Posted by: Charlie Hanner
Posted on: Monday, 28th May 2007
USA Today is written to sell copies, not to be the end-all be-all decision maker for what is invention versus what is innovation. They do no peer reviewing or fact checking besides what would cause them to be sued. Citing them as a source of “what is invention” is like saying lettuce in a bag is one of the top 10 most important changes to our lives since 1982.
Sheesh. USA Today should be ashamed.
How about publishing an article of the top 25 inventions that will lead to innovation in the 21st century instead? At least then they'll be providing valuable input for someone to do something about it.
Message: 595
Posted by: QualityColorado
Posted on: Tuesday, 29th May 2007
Charlie,
Thanks for your posting. I think a top 25 list of inventions that will lead to 21st century innovations is a terrific idea. I wouldn't count on it from USA Today or the popular press.
We could start the list here …
Best regards,
QualityColorado
Message: 609
Posted by: Amazingracesq
Posted on: Tuesday, 5th June 2007
My dissertation will be on intellectual property based innovation and the inner city. I guess yo would not recommend using the USA Today as a relaibel source any other suggestions? Also I have a small video on you tube video regarding this, check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP8fW5rNSYA
I also have a link for a projecy I did in conjunction to World Intellectual Property Day, my entry is listed last, see:
http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/world_ip/2007/posters.html
Happy innovating!
Kay
Message: 612
Posted by: Ellen Domb
Posted on: Wednesday, 6th June 2007
Inc. Magazine does an annual issue on the best (growth, job creation, profitability) 100 companies in the inner cities (of the US) and there is a strong innovation orientation to all of them–in many cases both the product/service and the business models had to be innovative to thrive in the inner city environment. It would be useful for your research to look at the history of this list, not just the current winners.
–Ellen Domb, http://www.trizpqrgroup.com
Message: 613
Posted by: Amazingracesq
Posted on: Wednesday, 6th June 2007
Thanks so much Ellen for the reminder. When I did my business plan for my small business http://mjcconsulting.vpweb.com many years ago I used the Inc. Magazine list. I will include some data in my dissertation
My dissertation, research tool, however will look at the the lack of patent owners who live and or work in the inner city. My problem state includes reference to the Gates Foundation funded “Silent Epidemic”, which adresses the very high drop out rate among teen residents of many of America's inner city communities.
Wish me luck.
Mary
Message: 615
Posted by: Anonymous
Posted on: Thursday, 7th June 2007
That list would be peer reviewed or fact checked?
Anonymous