Something's always more appreciated when it's lost. Wallet, glasses, keys, and phone seem more valuable when they're gone. Despite some inconvenience or concerns about identity theft, they're replaceable. There are some things a trip to the mall can't fix. Imagine losing something that's not replaceable.

Losing your mobility, your...

Our cultural lore suggests that curiosity may claim the lives of a few cats. Moving from lore to a distinct possibility, we really should add poverty to that list. Connecting their theme "Stay Curious" the 2013 Projecting Change Film Festival, pushed forward the conversation that can't be ignored....

A Google news search for "business accelerator programs" generates over 5,000 stories. These programs aren't exclusive to tech entrepreneurs either. Accelerators are a global trend, serving a diverse range of business types and needs.

This February, Vancouver saw the doors open to the Coast Capital Savings Innovation...

We don't have to look very far to see that our education system starting show cracks in its traditional foundation. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) such as Coursera, Udacity, and edX are experiencing steady growth. Recently a U.S. bill was introduced that would enable public universities...

Since 2009 I've spent substantial time walking around the streets of Canada's poorest area code. The Downtown Eastside (DTES) is unquestionably a neighborhood of manic extremes. Where else can you witness utter despair and decay juxtaposed with all that's trendy and triumphant? Within a few short meters and split seconds...

It's sad but true that many of us walk by street kids and intentionally cast our eyes elsewhere. It's easier to be oblivious than care, or care to understand why they're on the streets at all. Sure their piercings and tattoos might seem overboard. Sure some of them are somewhere...

The flowers were gorgeous, the chocolate decadent, and the dinner was absolutely exquisite, and you're thinking this guy just rocked Valentine's Day 2013. He's a keeper. Maybe you weren't thinking about the possibility this was the year for an après dessert little box, and that down on his knee proposal....

While volunteering and working with autistic children, Lisa Fraser noticed one of the key therapeutic devices of the day was, in her eyes, really ugly. She felt the design of the weighted vests was like slapping a label on kids and saying "Hey, look at me! I'm different."

She...

Three former triple A game studio executives with 40+ years of experience could easily be basking in the console glory days of the past. Instead of opting for white sandy beaches and umbrella drinks, these former EA (Electronic Arts) colleagues have co-founded Wyley Interactive.

CEO Pauline Moller,...

Hunting and fishing was part of our family fabric and having guns around our home was commonplace. I've not handled or discharged a firearm in easily 30 years. I also fundamentally don't object to the notion of responsible gun ownership. Sadly, it's easy suggesting there are simply too many guns...

The cultural, religious, and gender bias ignorance that creates significant barriers to education for young women absolutely rails me. Zealots putting a bullet in the brain of a 14-year-old girl because educated women are a threat to Stone Age-thinking makes headlines.

While not making the same headlines,...

While we're collectively more connected, we're not necessarily better connected with who we want, or what we want. The companies that care about our communities and care about creating sustainable business practices and products don't always have the loudest voices.

There are people growing food and making food that's...

Engineering history and product design has seen a lot of brain power go into creating some very utilitarian and essentially "dumb" things. We're now seeing more brain power going into creating utilitarian and very smart things, such as vacuums, appliances, home control systems, and even cars.

Imagine having no school to attend, or books being no big deal because you can't read anyhow. It's mortifying and it's also an assurance that the specter of living in poverty looms large. Illiteracy and poverty go hand in hand. Of course there are the bare essentials that need to...

I admit it: my kid's babysitter was the TV on more than one occasion. I owe a debt of gratitude to the Disney VHS library. I'll also admit that Super Nintendo and the Mario franchise helped too.

I'm now amazed seeing diaper-wearing, stroller-powered tots wielding smartphones and tablets with...

There's an estimated 200 plus startup accelerator programs worldwide. These business boot-camp programs are enormously popular. It's not uncommon for programs such as Y Combinator or Techstars to have over 1,500 applicants for a dozen spots.

Vancouver's technology startup accelerator GrowLab recently accepted...

A stimulating evening in Vancouver recently provided an excellent snapshot of a startup community that's starting to grow up. It comes as the city improved on its ranking of the world's top startup ecosystems.

This week, the Startup Genome Project updated its list, placing Vancouver ninth in the...