Category: chocolate

Virtual Love Children

yummy dummy chocolatesThis post from the sparky, smart and witty Vicki Scholtz is the best chuckle of the day for me. This post is a response to participation in the recent e/Merge 2008 which I blogged about last week.

Carnivorous Cow | Repassionated
“Maybe that’s it,” Keitu admitted. “Maybe it was exactly that notion that resonated – a kind of Woodstocky feel only with better hair and cooler clothes, and far nicer toys. But that sense of idealism, of belief, of… of passion! Somehow, although I let it go, it wouldn’t let me go!”

Bob chuckled. “You’re talking about Howard sitting barefooted under his plum tree! I wonder how many fermented plums you’ve been eating…!”

“Well,” Keitu admitted, “it makes a change from all the chocolate. Hey!” she looked up. “Do you think I could be the secret love child of Nancy White and Howard Rheingold?”

Today is Chocolate Day

Chocolate hat © Ann de Gersem, photo C. BaeleWe now divert from our normal online-blah-blah-blah and take a reverent moment to acknowledge that it is Chocolate Day! Want a little chocolate fun? Take the Is It Beer or Chocolate? quiz (I did terribly at 51%). Look at some of the interesting links from Chris Hodge. Think about the political implications of your chocolate. The health benefits.  Chocolate as art and inclusion. (Image to the right — Chocolate hat © Ann de Gersem, photo C. Baele)

And yes, even a link to a story about online communities, support and of course, chocolate. Ah, so this post isn’t so frivolous after all. 🙂

Hat tip to Chris for pointing out this critically important day to all chocoholics.

Signed

Choconancy

Blended Chocolate – why I love online learning

love the cacao - by choconancyFrom my talented friends in Australia comes, Blended Chocolate, a three part online learning module about chocolate making.

Now I’ve heard people talk about how online learning is lifeless and is boring. As I started looking at these flash based learning modules on chocolate, I realized two things. What Gary Sewell put together here both shows his/his team’s passion and taps into mine. That’s the magic sauce (well, beyond the chocolate itself.) Passion.

Look at Kim of Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand’s offering on Permaculture, all woven into a blog with lots of visuals, videos and a sense of warmth. Scan the amazing offerings people are making on WikiEducator. No one is making them do that!

Passion!

Passion from the creators of the offering. Passion in the topic. Warmth in the invitation. Poof! Learning!

Language, usefulness and exclusion

I work a lot inside of communities of one sort or another and they often have their own insider language. You know, jargon. People complain that jargon is exclusionary and it sure can be. But it is also useful short hand within a community and can convey succinctly something with specific meaning. The challenge for us is using that language either outside our communities or with intent to exclude.

But dang, it can be useful. Here is a great example from travel guru/insider Joe Brancatelli who does a lovely decoding for us outsiders. This time it is about talking to gate agents at the airport.

One example: When you don’t see your plane at the gate, don’t ask the agent if the flight is on time. Ask, “Where’s the equipment?” That will force the agent to go to the computer and find out where your aircraft is and when it will actually arrive. If the plane is already at the gate, ask, “When are we scheduled to push back?” Looking for an upgrade? Don’t blindly inquire about your chances. Ask, “How are the loads today?” The agent will tell you how many seats are empty and your number on the upgrade wait list.

What kind of insider language do you use? How do you interpret it for others?

Amazing chocolate airplane and photo by Stevepreneur on Flickr