IdeaFestival

Curry Stone global Design Prize makes IdeaFestival home

The Curry Stone Foundation, which funds activities to support healthy communities and public health, has announced the establishment of the Curry Stone Design Prize for “…exceptional emerging designers with extraordinary design projects or ideas that contribute positively to living circumstances for broad sections of global humanity.... Public health is best achieved when all people have access to shelter, health care, clean air, clean water, clean food, education and live in a time of peace," according to a news release accompanying news of the financial gift to the University of Kentucky.

This $100,000 design prize will be presented annually at the IdeaFestival beginning this year.

Developed in partnership with the University of Kentucky, College of Design, the prize is being supported through the foundation established by UK alumnus Clifford Curry and his wife H. Delight Stone of Oregon. 

IF is excited about the establishment of the Curry Stone Prize and the opportunity it presents to greatly expand the design content of the festival, which has hosted such design luminaries as Cameron Sinclair and Adriaan Gueze. More here.

Kris

Dith Pran

Dith Pran the Cambodian-born journalist whose life under the Khmer Rouge-led Cambodian revolution in the 1970's became the subject of the award-winning film "The Killing Fields," has died in New Jersey.

I had the honor to meet and talk with Dith when he was a presenter at the 2004 IdeaFestival. He was an amazing individual. His inspiring story of survival and courage was clearly one of the most moving and meaningful talks in the history of the Festival. His relentless search for the truth under the most horrendous circumstances was - and I don't use this word often anymore - heroic. My life is richer for having briefly known him.

Kris

Shirin Ebadi unable to be at IF

Unfortunately we have just been advised that the Iranian government is unwilling to provide a visa to Shirin Ebadi allowing her to travel out of the country to participate in the 2007 IdeaFestival. Consequently, in place of this event we will hold a free panel discussion involving the audience and other IF presenters concerning the issues surrounding this development and topics of international conflict, freedom of expression and peace.

Individuals who purchased a pass for this event may request a refund by emailing llavigne@ideafestival.com by Friday, September 28, 2007. In the alternative event pass holders may contribute their purchase to the ideaFestival.

Kris

"Convergence" drives IF

In the past I have offered some thoughts on the idea of convergence, an important concept that drives the ideaFestival. Convergence in this context involves the effective integration of knowledge, ideas and insights into a coherent pattern of thought.

An article in the July 21, 2007 issue of the New York Times, "C.E.O. Libraries Reveal Keys to Success," explores the reading and thinking habits of successful business people and demonstrates nicely several aspects of convergence. A common theme that runs through successful innovators regardless of their field is this relentless and unconstrained search for knowledge, coupled with the unique ability to combine and recombine ideas to produce new (and sometimes breakthrough) products, creative endeavors and ways of thinking.

Kris

"Vanishing" Objects

The NY Times just carried an article, Flirting with Invisibility (free registration required), on some fascinating work being done by physicists involving the bending of light waves "the wrong way"....that could render objects invisible. Is this the the beginning of the infamous cloaking device envisioned in Star Trek?

Kris

Traveling outside the province

Nicholas Kristof the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the NY Times (and a presenter at the 2007 IdeaFestival in September) has announced an expanded "win a trip" contest. A college student as well as a high school or middle school teacher will accompany him on one of his extraordinary reporting trips to Africa. It's all about furthering the idea (and obligations) of global citizenship.

Kris

IF06 in 4:10

A short video produced by Paul Schultz, the lead IF marketing firm, highlighting the 2006 festival is linked at www.ideafestival.com and on the left side of IFblog. Have a look. And thanks to everyone who made ideaFestival '06 possible.

Kris

How's your Vietnamese?

How's your Vietnamese? Kris Kimel is interviewed by Vietnam Ideas.

Wayne

42 BIG Questions

The February issue of Wired has a great piece entitled "What We don't Know". Leading scientists and thinkers "answer" some the BIG questions in science.

Kris

Ray Betts

The ideaFestival has lost a good friend. Ray Betts a former history professor, Director of the Honors Program at the University of Kentucky and contributing author to this blog died this passed week. I have known, worked with and admired Ray for over 20 years. He was the consummate gentleman and scholar. Dr. Betts was also one of those truly creative thinkers who had at his disposal a vast array of knowledge, experiences and insights....that he was uniquely able to combine and recombine to create new and novel "forms" and concepts. For the benefit of our readers his IF posts will remain in our archives. More on Ray's full life may be found at the Lexington Herald-Leader. He will be missed.

Kris