Clusters of the Creative Class are evident from Boise to Chattanooga.  However, the powerful ideas created are sometimes obscured by large rural divides, transportation gaps, or natural barriers.  The state of Indiana, for example, still has 1.4 of the 6.3 million residents living outside of urban centers.  So bridging a tech company in Fort Wayne with research conducted at Indiana University’s southern most campus can still present challenges.

Enter Smaller Indiana, a NING powered community dedicated to making creative people and innovative ideas easier to locate.  A vibrant and growing community discusses topics ranging from local food production and blogging to web development and taxation policy.  Hopefully, Smaller Indiana can help prove the following axiom: “A simple platform with a simple focus can produce big results.”

Anyone familiar with other states or regions using social networks to connect the creative class?  Let us know in the comment section.

Link to [Smaller Indiana]

Dan Melton of Nonprofit Technologies recently discussed implementing closed micro-blogging networks for support-groups. Could the availability of Twitter clone software revolutionize connectivity for those suffering with addiction, grievance, etc?

This [micro-blogging] is particularly attractive for nonprofits who run closed support groups or want to create one-time custom made social network without requiring users to have a twitter account. I think this service would work well for support groups that require a degree of peer accountability. For instance, an AA group could use this as way to obtain peer support on the spot. ie…I’m considering drinking, despite my promise, and I know that I can send a text message to the support group where my peers are waiting to give me moral support.

Melton mentions ReVou software in his post, but other clone scripts surely exist. Feel free to leave any knowledge of similar solutions in the comments.

Link to [ReVou]

A recent release by Reuters lists the top 10 musicians using their tours as a platform for change.

Topping off the list is Hawaiian crooner Jack Johnson who fuels all tour vehicles with biodiesel and keeps his home studio running off solar power.

Taking up the rear in the 10 spot is popular neo-soul/hip hop group The Roots, who took autographs to a new level by giving away signed compost bins.

For the full list see the MSN article below.

Link to [ MSNBC ]

Image: (cc-by-sa-2.0)

DonorsChoose.org can be summed up by their tag line “Teachers ask. You choose. Students learn.”
It is an organization dedicated to addressing the scarcity and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in our public schools. We believe this inequity is rooted in the following factors:

1. Shortages of learning materials prevent thorough, engaging instruction;
2. Top-down distribution of materials stifles our best teachers and discourages them from developing targeted solutions for their students; and
3. Small, directed contributions have gone un-tapped as a source of funding.

DonorsChoose.org will improve public education by engaging citizens in an online marketplace where teachers describe and individuals can fund specific student projects. We envision a nation where students in every community have the resources they need to learn.

Link to [ DonorsChoose.org ]

50 ways to help the planet is a great site that lists 50 simple ways to help change things. As they say on the site

PLANT A NOTION
“Going green” doesn’t have to be a daunting task that means sweeping life changes. Simple things can make a difference.

The contents of this list might not be new, but they bear repeating. Sometimes it takes a few reminders for things take root.

Link to [ 50 ways to help the planet ]