Audacious Ideas

It’s a little strange to me to be writing a blog post about blog posts. But it’s worth acknowledging the recent commentaries by Van Reiner, president of the Maryland Science Center, Irene Hofmann, executive director of the Contemporary Museum, and Larry Rosenberg from the Mark Building Company on the Audacious Ideas blog that the Open Society Institute-Baltimore maintains.

Audacious Ideas is a collection of thoughtful essays written by Baltimore’s citizens and leaders, offering creative perspectives and solutions for a variety of issues, ranging from specific topics like education and drug treatment, to broad thinking about justice and equality.  I think the blog has a refreshing egalitarianism, where the ideas of young students are presented in the same forum and style as those of a CEO. Both are equally open to the praise or scorn of the audience.

What’s most impressive about the blog is that it is a discussion, and not just among the authors who have offered their ideas.  People are reading and responding and commenting –thoughtfully—and in some cases, are taking real steps to address the issues presented on the blog. And, in a time when thoughts are increasingly shared through mobile devices with a flash of furious thumbs, or in short bursts in transient social media spaces, it’s a nice change of pace to see critical subjects measured with deliberate and careful consideration.

After all, don’t good ideas deserve it?

A neighborhood for the community…by the community
by Larry Rosenberg

A vibrant contemporary arts scene creates a vibrant city
by Irene Hofmann

Informal science education enhances classroom learning
by Van Reiner