May 2010

May 31, 2010

What are major sociopolitical groups?

Comment at this Buzz post (http://bit.ly/aNEdKS)  about what the major sectors of society are – the sociopolitical “lines” within the thicker line of ethnolinguistic groups… across those lines its difficult for the Gospel to flow. What are the groups?

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May 27, 2010

Pew Research: 18-29s on reputation

http://bit.ly/cRKmQa – A new Pew Research report looks at what 18-to-29s think about privacy and reputation. Reputation and influence are important factors in swarming. (via @shanedar)

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May 26, 2010

Swarming Brains Swell

http://bit.ly/aw4zUB – A BBC Science reporter looks at a study of locusts in which the brains of swarming insects swell with use. Those who swarm actually dramatically change thinking, not just behavior. Which might be an indicator of why swarms are so hard to understand?

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May 26, 2010

Focusing on Discipleship

http://bit.ly/bNwsXB – three megachurch pastors are focusing on discipleship in order to sustain longterm growth.

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May 24, 2010

Touristyness mapped

http://bit.ly/bZ8aAo – Panoramio has done a map of the “touristyness” of various places. Would be interesting to cross-reference with short-term trips?

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May 24, 2010

Increasing persecution in Morocco

http://bit.ly/a4IDoc – Voice of the Martyrs analyzes the increase in persecution and attributes it to the appointment of two new government officials who intend to crack down on Christian work.

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May 24, 2010

China: 50% urban by 2020

http://bit.ly/cTlUSp – the annual 2009 City Development Report (conducted by China’s Association of Mayors) says 621.9 million lived in cities in 2009, and by 2020 50% of Chinese will do so (possibly 75% by 2050).

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May 24, 2010

Bangkok: Peaceful, for now.

http://bit.ly/bkkibh – The violence that wracked Bangkok has calmed down. Though many Thais lost their lives, mission agencies (A/G, Pioneers) are generally reporting their people are safe.

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May 24, 2010

Iran: Maryam & Marzieh acquitted

http://bit.ly/9blnan – 14 months after being arrested for their faith & activities, Maryam & Marzieh have been acquitted of all charges by the Iranian judicial authorities, but warned any future activity would be seriously dealt with.

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May 24, 2010

Google launches encrypted search

http://bit.ly/c8z0XI – Hiding from Surveillance, or spammers: Google users can now run encrypted searches by going to https://www.google.com.

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May 24, 2010

Self-learning software knows who you are

http://bit.ly/dqsUPh – Promise & Perils of Technology: $2 million DARPA project to develop computers that can teach themselves to spot objects in a picture. (Before humans helped build feature sets–but computers build sets for themselves?)

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May 24, 2010

Case Study: Development Swarm in Kibera

http://bit.ly/9wcZyX – from Kenya, a development swarm “Inspired by Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Acumen Fund” – in Kibera. What do you think of this case study?

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May 24, 2010

Receiving Countries become Senders

http://bit.ly/c65yYn – OM writes about their experiences: countries that used to receive missionaries are starting to send them out.

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May 24, 2010

6 Partnership Killers

http://bit.ly/c8WwpW - Krish Kandiah writes a good little post in the Lausanne Global Conversation about his experiences in a partnership and 6 “roadblocks” faced. (I wrote a reply.) Worth a read.

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May 21, 2010

Graying America

http://nyti.ms/b7EH9U – By 2030, those 65+ will likely make up 35% of the population (from 22% now), setting the stage for political conflicts over “everything from Social Security to school budgets.”

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May 21, 2010

1 Billion Skype Users by 2015?

http://bit.ly/ddHf4M – Skype expects its total number of registered users to double in 5 years, with half being business users.

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May 21, 2010

First self-replicating synthetic bacterial cell

http://bit.ly/bdxeT8 – Scientists have created the first self-replicating fully synthetic (man-designed/synthesized) bacterial cell, designed in the computer and brought to life through chemical synthesis without any natural DNA. We can design new life forms on a computer screen now…

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May 21, 2010

Who says “no” to “mission trips”?

http://bit.ly/9BBKff  - Vinoth Ramachandra writes a very interesting post about short-term mission “exposure” trips vs. tourism, missions, and an Asian response.

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May 17, 2010

YouTube Statistics

YouTube.com is 5 years old. It has more viewers than all three networks combined during their primetime evening slot. It serves over 2 billion views daily. Over a day’s worth of video is uploaded every minute. More stats at http://bit.ly/bK8L91 (Wired).

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May 17, 2010

Poop Management

http://bit.ly/bd8fHT - Brian McLaren points out a World Bank doc examining how to manage “excreta” and the challenges of sanitation in absolutely poor areas. Fascinating read.

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