The Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) at Duke University launched a new award called the "Enterprising Social Innovation Award" as part of its ongoing efforts to promote the entrepreneurial pursuit of social impact. They hope to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, and companies whose innovations blend methods from the worlds of business and philanthropy to create sustainable social value that has the potential for large-scale impact.

Philip LaRocco, CEO of E+Co was recently awarded the Enterprising Social Innovation award for his work in the clean energy sector in developing countries.   Read more...

In honor of Valentine's Day, Grist.org featured 20 prominent couples who are "pairing up for the planet." Ode's very own founders, Jurriaan Kamp and Hélène de Puy made the list among others such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Bono and Ali Hewson as well as Michael Pollan and Judith Belzer.

Jurriaan and Helene met 27 years ago at a friends house. It was love at first sight, or at least so it was for Jurriaan. Only after a bold and unsolicited kiss did Helene first notice him! They soon found out they both had a passion for personal growth and social issues.   Read more...

Stargazing is a boring hobby unless one supplements gazing with thinking. Visually, the night sky is among nature's plainest paintings - a black canvas speckled with dim white dots. Its most interesting dimension is its depth, a dimension wholly undetectable to mere sight. No wonder the ancients, having only eyes for instruments, conceived of a rotating dome embedded with fixed lights, a short distance above earth.

Only a mind to match the sky can make the stars worth looking at. If outer space inspires us, it is because we soar through the inner infinity of imagination.   Read more...

Sometimes a film can make a difference. I just saw this one at Berlinale. Wow!   Read more...

Are you in love with words? A die-hard linguistic traditionalist? Looking to enliven your language and sharpen your wit? Take a peek at the Oxford Dictionaries' Save The Words website. You might just save a word and add a little flavor to your conversation.

A hop, skip, and running leap beyond your average vocabulary, Save The Words features a large collage of terms that have fallen out of common usage, all in exotic fonts. And all—literally—calling out "Yes! Yes! Pick me!" Once a curious word like rogitate has caught your attention, you can click on it for a short definition and a chance to adopt it. In adopting a word, you promise to "use this word, in conversation and correspondence, as frequently as possible to the very best" of your ability. Should you run short on ideas for using your new word, Oxford Dictionaries humbly suggests that you use it to spice up your email subject lines. Or for a pet name. Or to wear on a signboard as you wander downtown. Or for skywriting.   Read more...

Hello fellow optimists! I started my first blog last December at the advice of my former editor. Since the mainstream media focuses too intently on gloom-and-doom stories, I felt compelled to highlight all the good that still exists in this world (which I try to personalize when I can).

As you'll read, following my heart has led me on some interesting journeys (including a recent trip to the hurricane-ravaged parts of New Orleans). And there are others out there that are proving that the negative tide can definitely be turned. I hope the blog gives you hope during those gloomy days, while inspiring you to find the hero inside yourself. Enjoy!   Read more...

I’m one of the founders of 44 Cows Communications, I guess you could call me an entrepreneur but really I am more than just that. I’m not just trying to build a business, I am taking my passion for what I believe in and channeling it into something I hope will help shift the world, and enlighten the people on it!

I have always felt that our news media helps keep people in the box and by staying in that box all we do is keep people from shifting. So I decided to create a change, a shift in the media as it were. A shift to open, fair, balanced and positive news, sharing all sides of the story, highlighting the good in our world not just the things that sell advertising slots on the 5 o’clock news.   Read more...

Why did a relatively minor problem in the U.S. subprime mortgage market nearly collapse the entire global financial system?   Read more...

When the latest snow storm hit the UK’s capital city last week, most people’s first thought wasn’t, “Wow, this is a great marketing and advertising opportunity!” While most Londoners trudged begrudgingly through the snow and the ice, the Curb media company based in central London set out to place over 3,500 imprints in the snow. According to a Springwise report, the company used laser-cut stencils to leave the sharp imprints for one of their clients.

The unplanned campaign is part of a broader trend in the advertising business called low impact branding. Many advertisers are using graffiti and other types of street art and even gardening to catch the attention of the consumer on the street. Curb has deemed this practice “cleanvertising”.   Read more...

Since the beginning of time, people have felt the deep need to gather to celebrate spring, life and light. Faced with the daily headlines that constantly remind us of the woes of the world, the Celebrant Foundation & Institute (www.celebrantusa.org) decided it was more important than ever for people to come together and celebrate our humanity.

On March 8th the Celebrant Foundation and Institute is throwing a Holi Festival of Colors celebration event to do just that. Holi is a joyful festival originating in India centuries ago, and is now celebrated globally with dancing, music and culinary delights. This popular Indian holiday ushers in the coming of spring and promotes unity for all people. Distinguished speakers include US Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Consul General of India Prabhu Dayal and Montclair, New Jersey Mayor Jerry Fried. They will talk about the importance of unity, cultural exchange and understanding among diverse peoples.   Read more...