Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation

We all know a good idea when we see one. But where do those ideas come from? What kinds of environments make them more likely? What sparks the flash of brilliance? How do we generate the groundbreaking ideas that push forward our careers, our lives, our society, our culture? The author examines how innovation can accelerate under certain circumstances, how physical environments can affect and enhance great ideas, bringing people and ideas together. The author presents his work on the roots of innovation and suggests useful strategies for cultivating our own creative breakthroughs.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:
Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation
Steven Johnson
BF408 .J56 2010

Open Government: Collaboration, Transparency, and Participation in Practice

The Web can make real-time data accessible to anyone, but how can government leverage this openness to improve operations and communication, as well as increase citizen participation? In this book, visionaries and practitioners both inside and outside of government share their ideas on how to achieve and direct this emerging world of online collaboration, transparency, and participation.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:
Open Government: Collaboration, Transparency, and Participation in Practice
Daniel Lathrop and Laurel Ruma
Not yet cataloged

Wiki Government: How Technology Can Make Government Better, Democracy Stronger, and Citizens More Powerful

In late 2007, President-elect Obama’s mandate for government reform called for unprecedented openness and innovation. He called for greater transparency, participation and collaboration in every agency.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:
Wiki Government: How Technology Can Make Government Better, Democracy Stronger, and Citizens More Powerful
Beth Simone Noveck
JK 1764 .N68 2009

Through Veterans Eyes: The Iraq and Afghanistan Experience

In 2000, legislation was signed that would eventually establish Library of Congress’ Veterans’ History Project. The VHP’s mission was to collect, preserve and make available the personal stories of America’s veterans and civilians, documenting wartime experiences of America’s soldiers. Current and future generations will benefit from understanding the patriotism, devotion to duty and willingness to serve a cause greater than oneself that our veterans demonstrate. This highly readable book relates stories of veterans of the War on Terror, their triumphs and their sacrifices.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:
Through Veterans’ Eyes: The Iraq and Afghanistan Experience
Larry Minear
DS 79.76 .M555 2010

Myth of Digital Democracy

Is the Internet democratizing American politics? Intuition would say “Yes”, but the author argues that, after analyzing 3 million sites and blogs, only a small handful actually guide the opinions of the American people. Sites that drive viewers to popular outlets effectively limit the exposure of Americans to news and views. Blog readership is mostly within a limited demographic range, and only a few powerful interest groups continue to dominate fund-raising activities—even online ones. These statistics debunk the popular idea that the Internet promotes a wider expression of thought. They indicate that top sites like Yahoo and Google continue to control the way in which ordinary citizens think and vote.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:
Myth of Digital Democracy
Matthew Hindman
JK 1764 .H56 2009