The ability to create and destroy friction defines organizational genius. Organizational friction occurs when obstacles slow or frustrate actions for customers, employees, or leaders. While often seen as negative, author Bob Sutton argues we can harness it for benefit.

In his book, "The Friction Project," Sutton emphasizes first determining if an action is "right" or "wrong." Right actions should be fast and relatively frictionless, possibly with constructive friction. Wrong actions, conversely, are often full of friction.

Learn two easy tricks to solve problems and make friction your secret weapon.

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Read the video transcript: Bob Sutton on Friction

Yuval Noah Harari argues our relationship with information is akin to our relationship with food: too much "junk" can be harmful. Is it time for an information diet?

Catch the full conversation with Yuval Noah Harari on October 18th.

The Center for Biological Diversity recently released stunning trail-camera footage of a rare wild ocelot in Southern Arizona, within ancestral Tohono O’odham Nation homelands. Protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1982, fewer than 100 ocelots remain in the U.S., with a crucial population in Arizona. Learn more about ocelots on our website.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a Tucson-based 501c3 nonprofit. We believe human welfare is deeply linked to nature's diversity. Through science, law, and creative media, we work to secure a future for all species by protecting the lands, waters, and climate they need to survive.

Connect with us online: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. For questions or media inquiries, email us at center@biologicaldiversity.org.

Fungi, a diverse and largely unseen kingdom, are essential for sustaining nearly all living systems through ancient mycorrhizal networks. Despite their critical role, conservation and climate strategies often overlook fungi, focusing instead on plants and animals. This oversight is detrimental, as the destruction of fungal networks accelerates climate change, biodiversity loss, and disrupts vital global nutrient cycles.

Biologist Merlin Sheldrake, author of "Entangled Life," highlights fungi's importance and the visionary work of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN). SPUN actively maps and protects the planet's crucial mycorrhizal fungal communities.

Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRFmCXBv5R4

This text describes an interview with Roser Almenar, a member of the ITU Secretary-General Youth Advisory Board and co-Lead of the AI and Space Law research group. She is also a predoctoral researcher at the University of Valencia, Spain.

The interview was hosted by the Space Law and Policy Project Group of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC).

This interview features Joshua Ingersoll, a member of the ITU Secretary-General Youth Advisory Board. He is also recognized as a space policy analyst, science educator, and youth STEM advocate.

Ingersoll currently serves as Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager at Astranis Space Technologies Corp.

ITU focus groups welcome all interested experts.

Join us to develop new ITU standards for AI-native networks.

The Space Sustainability Forum convened leaders and experts from the satellite and space industries, agencies, and governments. Participants discussed policies, best practices, and strategies to ensure space remains accessible and sustainable for future activities.

The Forum was held in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 10-11, 2024.

For more information, visit: https://www.itu.int/ssf/

An interview features Herbert Bertine, former Chair of ITU-T Study Group 17.

This discussion commemorates the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Ellen MacArthur and Christiana Figueres met with BBC's Sumi Somaskanda at NYC Climate Week to discuss the Global Plastics Treaty. They highlighted this critical opportunity to address plastic pollution through a globally coordinated, legally-binding agreement.

Existing solutions and efforts by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation demonstrate the power of collective action. Final UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Busan, Korea, this November offer a chance to establish ambitious, global rules for the entire plastics life cycle, transforming the system and preventing waste. The Foundation promotes a circular economy to eliminate waste and regenerate nature.

Learn more about their work at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation website and YouTube channel, or follow them on social media.

Canadian anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of "Intelligence in Nature," shares his global quest to chronicle how leading scientists study intelligence and learning in the natural world. He uncovers a universal thread of intelligent behavior, asking what humanity can learn from nature's economy and knowingness.

Narby challenges contemporary scientific concepts by weaving together animal cognition, evolutionary biology, and psychology. His work reveals a deeper view of intelligence and our profound kinship with all life.

Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGMV6IJy1Oc

Representatives from the Academy Training Centres held their annual meeting on September 16. They focused on capacity development, showcased successful partnerships for global digital training programs, and worked to enhance institutional digital literacy.

Discover more: https://www.itu.int/itu-d/sites/digital-impact-unlocked/itu-academy-training-centres-meet-to-share-best-practices-and-strengthen-digital-skills-training/

Late Native American scholar John Mohawk explored the interrelationship of human evolution and today's climate crisis. He observed that historically, hunter-gatherers and farmers maintained an intimate knowledge of the natural world, especially plants, a connection now rapidly diminishing.

Mohawk highlighted "Native American pragmatism," which successfully balanced practical and spiritual aspects for millennia. He argued that re-establishing this kinship with the plant world, guided by such pragmatism, is crucial for surviving dramatic climatic changes.

Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6kOA-KtPxw

The U4SSC Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are a recognized UN standard guiding cities toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopted by over 200 cities globally, this comprehensive framework helps communities assess and enhance their smartness and sustainability, prioritizing people-centred solutions for citizen well-being.

These KPIs empower cities to become more innovative and responsive to inhabitants' needs. Discover more: https://u4ssc.itu.int/

Heather McGhee, former president and trustee emeritus of Demos, champions deep democracy as the solution to inequality and climate change. She argues that America's evolving population can meet these challenges, fostering an equal say and economic opportunity for all.

A national thought leader, McGhee notably helped shape key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HLMe22HCu8

Can art and activism dismantle the cultural roots of violence against women? V (formerly Eve Ensler) explores this, highlighting the power of transforming private narratives into impactful public movements.

In 1998, V co-founded V-Day, a global movement dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. Learn more by watching the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNipjPUlID8

Manari is a ceremonial leader and healer, offering natural, non-invasive cures for 'modern day' sicknesses through dream interpretation, spiritual connections, and medicinal plants, including natural tobacco. He inspires a rediscovery of our bond with nature.

As an indigenous rights advocate, Manari has stopped perforation efforts in his native territory. His work has defended the Sapara community's rights at international forums, including the Interamerican Human Rights Court, the United Nations, and the European Parliament.

Manari also manages NAKU, the communitarian enterprise ('The Jungle' in Sapara). NAKU offers ecotourism, healing alternatives, and natural medicine research, leveraging indigenous cultural heritage and native tools.

SDG Digital, a cornerstone initiative, recently concluded its digital track with a formal joint closing involving key leaders from ITU, the UN, and UNDP. This effort leverages digital innovation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning with the UN General Assembly and the upcoming Summit of the Future.

The initiative showcased how digital technologies can build a more sustainable, inclusive, and responsible future. By convening diverse leaders from government, civil society, the private sector, youth, and academia, SDG Digital fostered exploration of the trends, risks, and opportunities presented by digital and emerging technologies.

For more information: https://www.itu.int/initiatives/sdgdigital2024/

Bianca Faith Johnson, President of Push to Walk, demonstrated a Wandercraft self-balancing exo-skeleton at SDG Digital 2024.

This aligns with "A Digital Future for All," an initiative promoting an inclusive, meaningful, and safe online experience. It leverages emerging technologies to create value, ensuring everyone has the skills to thrive and no one is left behind.

Learn more about SDG Digital 2024: https://www.itu.int/initiatives/sdgdigital2024/ #globalgoals #sdgdigital #ourcommonfuture

This episode of The Circular Economy Show highlights the power of collaboration in scaling circular design. Host Pippa Shawley speaks with Megan Dawson-Elli (Tapestry) and Steven Bethell (Bank and Vogue) about their partnership, which led to Coach’s popular Soho bag. Watch the full podcast to learn more.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an international charity promoting a circular economy: designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature.

Subscribe for more videos: YouTube. Learn more about our work: ellenmacarthurfoundation.org. Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.