Innovation Reading Circle
> Innovation Agenda
> Overview
The Innovation Reading Circle aims to help develop theory around innovation through rich, high-level and well-informed public discussion around key and related texts and discourses... [Read on in Objectives]
> Last event
07: Decision making and wisdom
> Titles
We discussed three titles. Participants chose one to read. They have all become key reference points in the discussion around innovation in general, and particular around the future of the Web. These books have been received and adopted without extensive reflection, and their core ideas are now referenced without explanation and assuming their acceptance. It is time for them be be subjected to more critical reflection.
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The Wisdom of Crowds James Surowiecki (Random House, 2005) [Order from Amazon.co.uk] |
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Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking Malcolm Gladwell (Penguin, 2006) [Order from Amazon.co.uk] |
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The Long Tail: How Endless Choice Is Creating Unlimited Demand Chris Anderson (Random House, 2006) [Order from Amazon.co.uk] |
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Related titles
Critical Mass: How One Thing Leads to Another Philip Ball (Arrow, 2005) [Suggested by Rishi Dastidar: could be a good companion for The Wisdom of Crowds. And recommended by Roland Harwood]
The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools, and Societies Scott E. Page (Princeton University Press,2007) [Recommended by Roland Harwood]
Herd: How to Change Mass Behaviour by Harnessing Our True Nature Mark Earls (John Wiley, 2007) [Recommended by Roland Harwood]
> Took place
August 13, 2007
> At
NESTA, 1 Plough Place, off New Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1DE
NESTA map (including transport information) Google Map
Synopses and reflections on the titles can be found on the 08: Societal decline topic in the discussion section of the Innovation Reading Circle group on Facebook. Meta-review to be published shortly.
> Notices
We are grateful to NESTA for hosting and supporting this event.
Information on participants who has chose to flag their attendance can be found on the listing for this event on Upcoming.org.
Background reading, listening and viewing
Whatever happened to... The Wisdom of Crowds? Andrew Orlowski, The Register, 11th November 2006. On predictions of the outcomes of the 2006 US mid-term elections.
Profile: Before you can say Farhad Manjoo, Salon, 13 January 2005
Profile: The Gladwell Effect New York Times, February 5, 2006
Survey: New Media Among the audience The Economist, Apr 20th 2006. Includes quote from Chris Anderson. [Shared bookmark]
Interview: Chris Anderson The story of the long tail Owen Gibson, Guardian, July 10, 2006 [Shared bookmark]
It May Be a Long Time Before the Long Tail Is Wagging the Web Lee Gomes, WSJ.com, July 26, 2006. Statistical analysis of Chris Anderson’s claims. [Shared bookmark]
Other shared bookmarks for Innovation Reading Circle 07 may be added.
Reviews
‘The Wisdom of Crowds’: Problem Solving Is a Team Sport New York Times Sunday Book Review, May 22, 2004
Be a blinking marvel Stephen Bayley, Observer (UK), February 6, 2005
Wag the dog The Economist, July 6th 2006. One weakness of this otherwise excellent book is that it tries to apply the theory of the long tail to fields far beyond entertainment and e-commerce. [Shared bookmark]
Interviews
[None to date.]
If you have queries about the event please email Nico Macdonald