PopTech : Blog : This week in PopTech: Musical improvisation, collaborative tech camps and the psychology of architecture

This week in PopTech: Musical improvisation, collaborative tech camps and the psychology of architecture

Emily Qualey ( Bio / Posts ) | Friday, May 06, 2011 UTC

Reggie for Ronen

There's always something brewing in the PopTech community. From the world-changing people, projects and ideas in our network, a handful of this week's highlights follows.

Hot off the press, eight minutes of auditory awesomeness from the one and only musical magic man, Reggie Watts (PopTech 2006, 2010).

Designer Kacie Kinzer (PopTech 2009) explores what technology can reveal about empathy and cooperation via the Tweenbot, a cardboard robot she's built. Kinzer is taking her robots on the road - and in order to do so, she's started a Kickstarter campaign to create and distribute DIY Tweenbot kits. Earlier this week we checked in with Kinzer to learn about what she's been up to since she spoke at PopTech and her plans for Tweenbot worldwide domination.

Inspired by the impressive and efficient work of Ushahidi and Medic Mobile following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the State Department has announced that they will host a series of “TechCamps” in different parts of the globe to bring together non-governmental organizations that are familiar with the problems with technology experts who might have innovative ideas about how to tackle them.

2008 PopTech Fellows Taylor Thompson and Nathan Sigworth are co-founders of PharmaSecure, a for-profit startup with a breakthrough solution to the $50+ billion, global pharmaceutical counterfeiting racket – which kills millions each year. Fast Company has named PharmaSecure one of 10 most innovative companies in healthcare.

In the Wall Street Journal article, Building a Thinking Room, Jonah Lehrer (PopTech 2009) explores how architecture and design can influence our moods, thoughts and health.

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Image: RonenV

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