Journal Blog #2: Synthesize and Summarize

We have been analyzing the construction of Gladwell's essay, In the Air. He tells 3 stories in detail about different kinds of people who we would consider geniuses, experts, inventors, and innovators. The phenomenon that he introduces us is that of multiples: the idea that innovation is in some way inevitable. It is a kind of evolution where whoever is in the right place at the right time with the right frame of mind will be the one who takes the next step and invents or discovers the next big thing.

The difficulty in summarizing is that it demands that you knit together a lot of ideas into a neatly packaged paragraph. In Gladwell's essay, we have 3 stories that are all examples of multiples. Your task is to synthesize the main ideas of each story into one summary paragraph about multiples. Develop your sentences carefully and work to explain to a reader what this essay is about in not more than 10 sentences. (Less is better).

Post your summaries on the blog and the best will be reviewed in class. Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: Where do ideas come from?

Unlike other limited resources like trees or oil or minerals, ideas are plentiful and sustainable and seemingly unlimited. To all of our world's problems, we look for inspiration and innovation to save us, whether it is by thinking of a new technology, creating a new strategy, or trying new methods of doing things in our daily lives.

At the same time, we know where the trees are. We know where to get the oil and how to find the minerals...  but ideas...  good ideas... they are a little more mysterious. How do they happen? Sometimes they just pop into our head in the middle of the night. Maybe they emerge from a conversation with a friend or in a class discussion. Sometimes they just happen.

In this journal blog, please share your experience. Where does inspiration come from? How do ideas happen? Remember to include your ID# and Section# in your post. I look forward to reading your thoughts.
Aj. M