NEW IDEAS AND TRENDS (old)

From Cradle To Cradle: Ecovative Design's Acorn™ Packaging

by T Goodman

What happens to all the packaging inside of all the computer and printer and cell phone boxes? The preformed foam plastic, the peanuts, the bubble packaging, the sponge sheets... Waste in landfills, toxic waste.

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24-7 Connection Wall Reunites Friends, Families, And Food

by Toby

Imagine going into an Internet cafe without your computer. In this cafe, you are going to have a cup of tea with your parents in London... It's tea time there.

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Siberian Sculptors Erect Monument to Yeti

by M Dee Dubroff

Last month, I wrote an article about a scientific expedition that set out to the mountains of Siberia to explore recent reports of Bigfoot sightings. Although fruitless so far, organizers deterred by the severe climate are determined to resume the search this summer. A monument has been erected to honor this yeti expedition, but viewers cannot resist the urge to smile upon viewing it. Read on and find out why.

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Poken Networking USB Key, the Social Online Business Card

by Steve Levenstein

Poken, a new electronic online business card that allows social media users to exchange online profile info via a handy, keychain-sized portable USB key, may replace the traditional cardboard business card as THE must-have networking aid.

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Physiobench: Online Business Promotes Home Health With Remote Advice

by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

New technologies under development in the senior care industry are increasingly focusing on helping seniors remain independent in their homes and receive the treatment they need, via technology, without ever stepping out their front doors. Following this trend is Physiobench, a new health-based company from the UK which for a fee will prescribe a physiotherapy treatment regimen for any injury.

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Text Messaging Deceased Husband Helps Ease Housewife's Grief

by Steve Levenstein

A grieving Japanese housewife has found a unique use for the social media applications she and her late husband enjoyed when he was alive: keeping in touch with him after he passed on by sending text messages to his cellphone.

10 Top Gifts For America's First Dog "Bo"

by Lady Bee

I'm not close enough to the First Dog to send a gift he might receive, but if you are, don't be shy... steal my ideas!

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Top Ten Internet SuperStars of 2009

by Ron Callari

I tracked down some of the Internet's biggest overnight sensations to determine just how many were able to live past their "15 minute of fame" expiration date. Some have settled into lives of quiet but sustained popularity; others are now making grand livings off their Net-based notoriety. While becoming famous for being famous and turning self-promotion into an art form is often the stimulus, there are micro-celebs growing up all over the Internet who have a lot to offer.

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One Incredibly Awesome Fireplace: The EcoSmart Zeta

by Toby

There is nothing modest about EcoSmart's new Zeta portable fireplace. It's bold and eloquent, perfectly formed, and finely crafted in timber, leather, and stainless steel. Yes, the exterior is leather!

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Construction Without Carbon Footprint? British Look To Hemp

by Myra Per-Lee

"... It only takes an area the size of a rugby pitch four months to grow enough hemp to build a typical three bedroom house," said Professor Pet Walker, Director of the BRE Center.

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Don't Be An Ash: Japan Tobacco's 'Smoking Manners for Adults' Ads, Part 5

Part 5 of Japan Tobacco's 'Smoking Manners for Adults' Ad Series

by Steve Levenstein

Japan Tobacco ad execs sweated, strained and no doubt chain-smoked a whole lot of their main product while brainstorming up 73 "Smoking Manners for Adults" ads. Numbers 41 through 50 are presented here in hopes that rude smokers will smarten up and get their ashes in order.

South Africa Fight Aids With Innovative Phone Project

by M Dee Dubroff

In an attempt to curb the terrible rising tide of South Africans afflicted with HIV/AIDS, local organizations have teamed up with leading telecommunication firms to launch the life-saving, Project Masiluleke, (the please-call-me project) which aims to close the healthcare information gap by delivering messages that encourage South Africans to access HIV testing and to know their status.

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Banish Backyard Bugs with Repelight Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

by Steve Levenstein

Compact Impact of Japan is now offering Repelight, a 26-watt compact fluorescent lighting that glows gold but acts green.

Global Climate Change Invention Award Goes To 'Kyoto Box'

by Myra Per-Lee

...The device, which cost Bøhner $5 to make, would decrease pollution, deforestation, energy costs, and about 1.3 million deaths a year in Africa alone caused by wood-burning related respiratory illnesses. The life-saving estimate does not even include the number of deaths resulting from contaminated water.

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'Go Doggie Go Green' Dog T-Shirts For Earth Day!

by Lady Bee

Even if you are not into the environment, you know that your dog is. Dogs are born nature lovers. They love to dig in dirt, roll in other dog's feces (you know what I'm talking about), sniff other dog's private parts, lick their own pee, and eat grass. If you're not a dog owner, don't worry, the worst is over.

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Russian Innovation: State-of-The-Art Door Chain

by M Dee Dubroff

Russia’s Lebedev Studio is known for its creativity in transforming objects from the world of the mundane into works of art with unique designs. Their new door chain lock is no exception and housebreakers beware, because there is a new lock in town! Read on for more details.

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Omegle: Chat with Complete Strangers

by Austin Keenan

This new social service wants you to strike up conversations with complete strangers. Omegle puts you in a private chat with someone completely random, and the handles are simply "You" and "Stranger". Kinda weird, right? But who knows? Maybe this will catch wildfire.

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Hot Water Heater Senses Approaching Humans, Warms Up Their Bathwater

by Steve Levenstein

Call it the Therminator - Panasonic's new bathwater heater employs an infrared sensor to - get ready for this - detect a human entering the bathroom. Chilling, isn't it?

A Man's Car Is His Dog's Castle: Honda Element's New 'Dog Limo'

by Lady Bee

We're all suckers for our dogs and Honda's no fool. Honda's new concept for the Element, unveiled at the New York Auto Show today, upgrades the safety features and accoutrements for pets to the level of premier class. Honda should throw in a chauffeur's cap with this car!

Eco-Choco, The Sustainable Sweet Treat

Lotte Eco-Choco, Certifiably Delicious By The Rainforest Alliance

by Steve Levenstein

Can environmentally conscious, eco-friendly chocolate succeed in the marketplace much the way fair trade, sustainable practices coffee has? Lotte thinks it can, and the confectioner's new Eco-Choco lets them put their money where their mouth is.

4 comments