5 Things on Friday – Hackathons, Architecture, and Beer from Sewage!

Another busy week has blown by and once again I had the pleasure of being introduced to many cool things on the web and around the GeoWeb. And so,  I’m pleased to share with you just 5 of the Cool things that I learned about this week… enjoy another Edition of 5 Things on Friday (and thanks to those of you who provided some tips!)

Algalita Research – How much plastic is entering the ocean?

I’ve been a huge fan of the Algalita Research Foundation ever since I had the pleasure of listening to their execs at a special presentation here in the PacNW discussing the HUGE issue of plastics in the Oceans and the efforts that the group is going to address this Global problem. Recently, they shared details of a study that looked more precisely at the amount of plastics that are entering the oceans from the land surrounding them… the results are astonishing! They note, not surprisingly, that “the quantity of plastic in the global ocean’s five accumulator gyres has reached a level that is destroying their fragile ecosystems.” Read more HERE

Plastic in Oceans (Image Credit: islandguardian.com)

Copenhagen Architecture & sustainable Living

I saw an amazing show about Copenhagen this week via public television and I was so impressed with how smart and sustainable they are over there. In addition to the bike friendly culture of biking for practical reasons and for transport (and not status) the sustainable focus on architecture and developments is really impressive. I Luv the focus on community rather than people building their massive fortress of solitude and banging up a KEEP OUT sign… a real model for the World –  regardless of the highest taxes in EU they also boast some of the happiest people, well done! Of particular interest was the residential development know as 8 House – WOW! See More HERE

8 House (Image Credit: e-architect.co.uk)

 Transforming Sewer water to Beer in PDX!

Most beer geeks are well aware of Portland and the impact they have had on the growing craft beer industry. In addition to being a technology hub, home of creativity, and all round brilliant ideas, PDX also has some pretty environmentally sound technologies and ideas. Case in point, brewers are now toying with cleaning sewage water and using it in beer… ummm, OK!  See More HERE

PDX beer (Image Credit: KGW.com)

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American’s Smartphone Usage at Almost 5 hours a day!

Americans are now spending an average of 4.7 hours a day on their smart phones according to a smartphone usage report – more than their counterparts in at least 11 countries around the world – according to a new monthly report from Informate Mobile Intelligence that tracks and measures consumer use of smartphones in 12 countries. Note, At the other end of the spectrum, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico are spending the least amount of time coming in at under two hours each. See More HERE

Informate Mobile Intelligence First to Measure Smartphone Usage

 Innovation from Sears and the Sears Hackathon

Sears has tapped into the popularity of the Hackathon and why not? A great idea getting geeks together to hack up ideas over coffee, pizza, and redbull, all in an effort to develop some great apps and also reward developers with some cash!  Pioneer, recent winner of the Sears Retail Hackaton, is a platform designed to help Searsreorganize their products based on the specific reasons customers are shopping. Kudos to sears – Read More HERE