Sunday, February 28, 2016

Thought For the Week (weekend Edition): Dalia Mogahed Speaks........(Source: Ted.Com)


When you look at Muslim scholar Dalia Mogahed, what do you see: a woman of faith? a scholar, a mom, a sister? or an oppressed, brainwashed, potential terrorist? In this personal, powerful talk, Mogahed asks us, in this polarizing time, to fight negative perceptions of her faith in the media -- and to choose empathy over prejudice. A jawdropping look at what it's like to be Muslim in the United States right now. Watch »

Friday, February 26, 2016

The Friday Musical Interlude: Kings of Convienence w/ Me In You.....

It has been admittedly a challenging week here in #Outsiders.   However as we are "back in operation", we wanted to begin by featuring this selection from our artist of the week, Kings of Convenience as we wish all a fabulous Friday and a fabulous Week-End (and if you have not gotten a flu shot yet, we urge you all to do so!!!)



Thursday, February 25, 2016

Thought For the Week: On #Life

As our team recovered from the Flu and "got back to work", we wanted to think about not truly taking things too seriously although there are truly serious issues we're assessing here throughout #Outsiders (The US Presidential Campaign; The Iranian Elections; Mobile World Congress) and other on-going initiatives.    But this compilation courtesy of +Jonathan Huie we hope brings some smile to all as we look forward to releasing our Musical Interlude later on Friday:


Life is too important to be taken seriously.
- Oscar Wilde

Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world.
Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak.
Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor,
and your picture begins to lighten up.
- Allen Klein

Seriousness is a sickness; your sense of humor
makes you more human, more humble.
The sense of humor - according to me -
is one of the most essential parts of religiousness.
- Osho 

Smile.
Today would be a wonderful day
not to take life so seriously.
Today may end up the way you prefer -
and it may not.
Happiness is not about being a winner -
it's about being gentle with life -
being gentle with yourself.
Let life be a dance,
and choose the kind of
dance you want for today -
perhaps a gentle loving dance.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Monday, February 22, 2016

Notations From the Grid : On The Economy & Long Term Challenges (Selections From the Web Today)

Our team received this which is of profound concern:


Recession Already a Reality in Alaska, North Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming

Those four states are already in a recession, according to research from Moody’s Analytics, with at least three more at risk for long declines, in large thanks to energy and related manufacturing struggles. Will we fall into a slump?
This was validated as we received this from the team @ Route Fifty: 

Alaska Governor Wants to Re-Plumb State Finances to Depend Less on Energy Sector

BILL LUCIA  |   "We need to take the volatility of oil out of funding government," Gov. Bill Walker tells Route Fifty.

Economists Tell Governors That a Recession Is on the Horizon

BILL LUCIA  |   It probably won't happen this year but the "next recession is probably closer than the last one," one expert said during the National Governors Association's winter meeting.
These profound development foretell a broader question that was addressed in this podcast that we would be assessing in the "Visions" channel over the ensuing weeks and months: 

Podcast: Room for Debate
Shout
ROOM FOR DEBATE PODCAST
Can the American Dream Survive?
Professors Robert Gordon and Jeffrey Sachs debate whether the era of strong economic growth is over or whether innovation can revive America's future.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Thought For the Week (weekend Edition): On Teams & Success

Please enjoy this weekend edition of "Thought 4 the Week" courtesy of the team at Simple Truths as we wish all a fabulous week:

Pulling Together
Pulling Together - Watch Now
10 Rules for High Performance Teamwork
A captivating teamwork lesson we can learn from geese. Want a winning team? Here are ten simple ways to get there together.

So relax, turn up your speakers and enjoy the video. And don’t forget to share itwith friends and coworkers.

All the Best,


Mac Anderson

Saturday, February 20, 2016

View of the Week (weekend Edition): Thank You Ted!!!

We are pleased to present this from the team @ TED on this edition of the View of the Week:

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

Talks for when you feel like you’re not enough

Let these talks serve as a gentle reminder of your self-worth -- because sometimes that's exactly what you need. Watch »
11 TED Talks • Total run time 2:26:49

Friday, February 19, 2016

The Friday Musical Interlude: @twentyonepilots w/ The Judge

It is Friday here in the #outsider network as we hope all enjoy this selection from our artist of the week: @twentyonepilots.

We wish all a fabulous Friday and a fabulous weekend.


Thursday, February 18, 2016

An #Outsider Newsflash: Secrets of the C-Suite: Tips for Becoming a Senior Leader in Government

Our team is joining this session today.   Although "Public Service" Focused, there are some interesting insights to be shared on leadership:



Secrets of the C-Suite: Tips for Becoming a Senior Leader in Government

Notations From the Grid: On the Life and Legacy of Justice Scalia (The Journey Began By being a Scout!!!)




This accomplished Supreme Court Justice was a rather accomplished Scout, as well!
Posted by Cub Scouts on Tuesday, February 16, 2016

As America remembers and deliberates the life and legacy of Justice Scalia and his replacement, our team ran across this which was of note on how his journey all began: As a Scout.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Thought For the Week (II): A Special Editon Courtesy of Darren Hardy

 As Our team has been on Projects, we wanted to report on this special edition that goes to the heart of humanity which we have embraced as our implicit Mission--We are grateful for Darren Hardy of +SUCCESS Magazine for this: 




It’s said you will only be remembered for one of two things: ... Go to post

Have a question or needing help? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to find your answer.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Thought For the Week: Painting the Canvas of Your Dreams

It is the dawn of a new work week and our team chose this from +Jonathan Huie as we look to continue to paint our canvas during our on-going journey in Outsiders:  








Imagine peace. Imagine love. Imagine oneness.
Imagine whatever most speaks to your heart.
Whatever you can imagine, you can accomplish.
The canvas of life awaits You -
the painter of your dreams.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

This world is but a canvas to our imagination.
- Henry David Thoreau

If you wait for the perfect moment when all is safe and assured,
it may never arrive.
Mountains will not be climbed, races won,
or lasting happiness achieved.
- Maurice Chevalier
 

Monday, February 15, 2016

On This Presidents' Day 2016: Remembering Abraham Lincoln

In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years ―Abraham Lincoln

View of the Week (Monday Edition): On Cyber-Security (How #IBM deals with it)

As a new week dawns here in the #Outsiders Network, we wanted to feature this on Cyber Security.  It is a profound challenge in our World.     We wanted to feature this our team received this over the weekend here in our Virtual Studios as one of the leading lights of Technology continues its' War on Cybercrime:   



Fortune Data Sheet Cybersaturday By Robert Hackett
 

  
February 13, 2016

Last fall I visited IBM’s security group at the company’s offices in New York. A few members of the team had brought me in to show off some “dark web” destinations, hidden websites accessible only via a special browser (called Tor). On the screen before us: weapons, drugs, malicious software—you name it. All for sale.

Needless to say, it’s strange to sit in a conference room with professional contacts when offers for illegal narcotics are quite literally on the table.
The purpose of the meeting was to exchange information about these underground markets. Investigating what so-called crimeware hackers are auctioning online helps analysts (and reporters) keep abreast of the latest cyber threats. This sharing is very much a part of the IBM unit’s business strategy, I learned.
“One of the biggest problems in cybersecurity is hackers collaborating, sharing data and software,” Marc Van Zadelhoff, who took the reins of the security group at the beginning of the year, told me later. Previously the unit’s vice president of worldwide strategy and product management, Zadelhoff assumed the top spot after Brendan Hannigan stepped down as general manager. (Hannigan had joined after IBM bought his security intelligence software-maker, Q1 Labs, in 2011.)
“We’re sharing data through X-Force Exchange,” Zadelhoff said, referencing the company’s threat intelligence platform, which IBM opened up for anyone to use free of charge last year. (Other companies like Facebook have taken a similar approach with ThreatExchange, a kind of social network for defenders of computer networks.“Now we’ve added a security app exchange so our partners, vendors, and customers can build and share apps on top.”
Why give away precious data on attackers at no cost? Simple: IBM: aims to commoditize threat intelligence. By giving that intel away, the company hopes to become the foundation on which the information security industry relies. Then the company can use that leverage to sell other services. The bet is that IBM’s analysis, not its endless reams of raw data, will be the moneymaker.
Zadelhoff calls this his three “c” strategy: cloud, collaboration, cognitive. Cloud is the mechanism of distribution; collaboration involves sharing threat feeds and code; and cognitive refers to the value added analysis layer. (Expect announcements involving Watson integrations, the company’s analytic AI engine, this year, I’m told.)
So far the program appears to be working. IBM’s security group posted $2 billion in revenue for 2015, growing 12% over the year prior, according to an earnings report the company issued last month. More than 2,000 organizations are already signed up for the exchange.
Criminals have found a similar strategy—swapping intel and trading off-the-shelf tools—to be quite lucrative of late. Big Blue prudently takes its cue from those baddies. The difference is in the wares: cyber bulwarks versus contraband and botnets.


Sunday, February 14, 2016

As it is Valentine's Day 2016: A special edition of "Thought(s) For the Week"........

Our team decided to feature this compilation of thoughts courtesy of +Jonathan Huie on this Valentine's Day 2016 as we wish all a Happy Valentine's Day:



Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people stay for awhile, and move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to a new understanding,
leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never, ever the same.
- Flavia Weedn

No partner in a love relationship should feel
that he has to give up an essential part of himself to make it viable.
- May Sarton

Every good relationship, especially marriage, is based on respect.
If it's not based on respect,
nothing that appears to be good will last very long.
- Amy Grant

Marriage, ultimately, is the practice of
becoming passionate friends.
- Harville Hendrix

Saturday, February 13, 2016

On This Valentine's Day Week-End 2016....

It is Valentine's Day Week-End here in the United States.    In honor of this day, we wanted to feature thoughts curated by +Jonathan Huie  & Rumi...

Happy Valentine's Day To All!!!!


  

The bond of our common humanity is stronger
than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.
God gives us the capacity for choice.
We can choose to alleviate suffering.
We can choose to work together for peace.
We can make these changes - and we must.
- Jimmy Carter

For me, an area of moral clarity is:
you're in front of someone who's suffering
and you have the tools at your disposal
to alleviate that suffering or even eradicate it,
and you act.
- Paul Farmer

Helping someone is what life is all about.
- Willie Stargell   
 

If you are healthy, support those who are sick.
If you have a job, support those who have lost theirs.
If you are strong, support those who are feeble of body or mind.



- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

View of the Week (Weekend Edition): On Creating a Digital Profile

Welcome to #Outsiders Week-End.

We wanted to report on this hosted at Vitae Earlier this week.   We hope all find it of interest: 




Good afternoon!


We’re sorry we missed you at our webinar, Developing Your Academic Digital Identity. It went really well! But don’t worry, we recorded it so you can watch it any time. Here’s the link:http://bit.ly/VitaeDigIdent. Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested.


If you haven’t already, please join us in our Vitae group. This is a great place to discuss your digital identity and I’ll be around to answer questions about Vitae. But make sure to complete your Vitae profile before joining in, or we’ll judge you (just kidding)! Also, in case you haven’t seen it, there was some AWESOME conversation going on via Twitter during and after the webinar. Click here for a recap.


Again, we’re sorry we missed you!


Leah Bryce
Community Manager, Vitae

Friday, February 12, 2016

The Friday Musical Interlude: Hozier Performs Work....

Welcome to Friday here in #outsiders as we hope all enjoy selections from our artist of the Week, Hozier.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Notations From the Grid: Developments On the Education Front


It has been quite an eventful week on the Education Front as the Parent of the University of Phoenix was sold earlier this week:


Apollo Education, U. of Phoenix's Parent, Is Sold for $1.1 Billion

The company has been acquired by "a consortium of investors," and its board will be led by a former deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Education.


We here @ #Outsiders understand that the deal is slated to close at the end of the 3rd Quarter of 2016.    We also reviewed reports from UC Berkeley that they are facing an expected $ 150 Million shortfall which we find a bit disturbing--we will continue to monitor this here in the Education Channel.






Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Thought 4 the Week

On This Mid-Week, we again are pleased to present this compliation courtesy of +Jonathan Huie :

 

There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.
- Nelson Mandela

Education is a social process.
Education is growth.
Education is, not a preparation for life;
education is life itself.
- John Dewey

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us;what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.
- Albert Pike

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

An #Outsiders Newsflash: The Latest From US-CERT On #Google Updating Chrome

We just received this at our Virtual HQ:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security US-CERT
National Cyber Awareness System:
02/09/2016 05:18 PM EST

Original release date: February 09, 2016
Google has released Chrome version 48.0.2564.109 to address multiple vulnerabilities for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Exploitation of some of these vulnerabilities may allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected system.
US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review the Chrome Releases page and apply the necessary update.

This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy.

Notations From the Grid: Happy Mardi Gras!!!


Happy Mardi Gras! Did you know that this tradition was first brought to the United States by France? Mobile, Alabama,...
Posted by French Embassy in the U.S. on Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Happy Mardi Gras!!

We thought this was quite "timely" in light of another challenging morning around our World.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Notations From the Grid: On investments & Crowdfunding

Welcome to #Outsiders For this Week.
We hope all find this of interest as our team had a chance ot attend this webinar and we wanted to feature this for all: 
FFLogo_Primary_300px.png

Thank you for attending FlashFunders' recent webinar "The Future of Crowdfunding: Everyone's an Investor" by Vincent Bradley. We hope it gave you insight into the future of crowdfunding and provided clarity on the value of diversifying your investment portfolio.
If you were unable to attend the webinar or would like to re-watch it, you can access a recording here or download it below:


Download Webinar Recording

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Thought For the Week (W-End Edition): To Dare

On this Weekend edition of "Thought For the Week", we hope all enjoy this latest compilation from +Jonathan Huie and his team--It was a good reminder for us as well as our journey of service continues here in #Outsiders: 


Security is mostly a superstition.
It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
- Helen Keller

There is no security on this Earth,
there is only opportunity.
- Douglas MacArthur

Our only security is our ability to change.
- John Lilly

Security is not the absence of danger,
but the presence of God,
no matter what the danger.
- Anonymous

All life is change.
Release your attachment to the way things have been,
and wend your way joyfully
through life's unfolding majesty.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Friday, February 5, 2016

The Friday Musical Interlude (Special Edition) Remembering Maurice White, the Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire

February is African American History Month.    As we welcome you all to Friday here in #outsiders, we wanted to use the interlude this week to remember and honor the legacy of Maurice White, the Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire.   He passed away this week from complications from Parkinsons.

Please enjoy the selections we have chosen throughout our Network: 

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

View of the Week: On the US Presidential Campaign (Source: Global Citizen)

We received this from Global Citizen on the US Presidential Candidates that we hope all enjoy--and as we went to press, we note that Rand Paul is of the race for President:



This is a pivotal election year that will have an impact on you, the global community, and especially the world’s poor.

Yesterday, voters in Iowa gathered in caucuses to name their preferred presidential nominee for the Democratic and Republican parties. As front-runner candidates take one step closer to their national party conventions, it’s extremely important that global citizens know where candidates stand on critical issues like foreign aid, national security, immigration, and climate change.

If we are going to be the generation that ends extreme poverty, we must know who our leaders are, what they represent, and how they plan to ensure a brighter future for citizens everywhere.  


Find out where leading U.S. presidential candidates stand on the issues global citizens care about.

Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State, former Senator for New York, former First Lady of the U.S.
Read More

Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz
Senator for Texas, former Solicitor General for Texas, former Advisor to Pres. George W. Bush.
Read More
Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders
Senator for Vermont, former Congressmen for Vermont, former Mayor of Burlington. 
Read More
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
International businessman, Reality TV Star, larger than life personality.
Read More

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