Guest Thinkers — February 22, 2011

The innovation PICNIC

This week’s Springwise newsletter points to an interesting (and potentially quite lucrative!) “green innovation” competition taking place in Europe this month:

“PICNIC Green Challenge is calling on creative, innovative minds to come up with solutions to fight climate change.

Anyone with a good idea for a product or service that reduces greenhouse gas emissions in a consumer-friendly way and contributes to a sustainable lifestyle is welcome to take part. Each entry must be supported by a concrete plan to bring the concept to market within 2 years. To turn a bright idea into a business,

the winner will receive EUR 500,000, coaching from business leaders and a list of potential customers.”

As if saving the earth was not enough of an incentive, billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has been named as the chairman of the competition’s jury.

[image: PICNIC Green Challenge]

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Thinking

The great free will debate featuring Michio Kaku and Steven Pinker

Who — or what — really controls your mind?

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The Past

The largest accidental explosion of all time

More than a century ago, Halifax suffered an accidental blast one-fifth the size of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

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High Culture

6 great books with wildly unreliable narrators

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Signs you’re burned out — and how to bounce back

If you don’t feel better after the weekend, the “burnout paradox” could explain why.

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7 min

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with

Laurie Santos

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