http://dir.salon.com/topics/the_big_idea/?source=rss&aim=the_big_idea en-us Copyright 2007 Salon.com. Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST By David Pescovitz Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2005/11/30/big_idea_tech_list/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2005/11/30/big_idea_tech_list/index.html?source=rss Robugs, biologically based software, the GeoWeb, transgenic art and other hot frontiers in technological innovation. By Sarah Karnasiewicz and Salon staff Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2005/10/21/big_idea_list/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2005/10/21/big_idea_list/index.html?source=rss Bodyguards for sheep, plug-in hybrids, edible yards and other environmental innovations worth celebrating. By Karrie Jacobs Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2005/10/05/big_idea_design/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2005/10/05/big_idea_design/index.html?source=rss From affordable housing to beautiful highways and computer-monitor gargoyles, the Big Idea looks at architecture and design ideas to build a future around. By Karrie Jacobs Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2005/10/05/big_idea_cheap/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2005/10/05/big_idea_cheap/index.html?source=rss Affordable housing -- more necessary now, post-Katrina -- is not just better than it used to be, it can be more stylish than any garden-variety McMansion. By Corrie Pikul Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/12/24/diamonds/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/12/24/diamonds/index.html?source=rss Lab-made diamonds are as dazzling as those mined by third-world labor. This bling may be easier on your conscience -- and your wallet. By Wagner James Au Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/12/22/year_in_games/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/12/22/year_in_games/index.html?source=rss Developers, critics, gamers and analysts weigh in: What they loved, what they learned, what they worried about. By Sarah Lidgus Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/12/21/incredibles/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/12/21/incredibles/index.html?source=rss The computer-generated clothing in Pixar's "The Incredibles" required real tailors and years of programming. By Katharine Mieszkowski Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/12/20/flickr/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/12/20/flickr/index.html?source=rss On the photo-sharing site Flickr, instant and unlikely communities spring up around a wild universe of images, from cats and grocery day to giving birth. By Priya Jain Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/11/19/new_taxi/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/11/19/new_taxi/index.html?source=rss How those eerily beautiful bubble cars in "The Incredibles" may well appear in our not-too-distant future. By Miranda Purves Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/11/12/smart_wood/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/11/12/smart_wood/index.html?source=rss How to indulge in beautifully designed wood furniture and keep your tree-loving conscience (mostly) clean. By Corrie Pikul Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/11/05/bright_idea/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/11/05/bright_idea/index.html?source=rss Believe it or not, a dazzlingly gaudy Vegas light display actually represents a major step forward in energy conservation. By Corrie Pikul Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/10/29/insta_doc/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/10/29/insta_doc/index.html?source=rss Through documentaries like "Outfoxed," "UnConstitutional" and "Control Room," digital technology has revolutionized the box office -- and democracy. By Corrie Pikul Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/10/22/big_idea_10_22/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/10/22/big_idea_10_22/index.html?source=rss NEWater looks like any other glacier-clear bottled H20. Except it gushes from the toilets of Singapore instead of a bubbling spring. By Cynthia Joyce Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:11:00 PST http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/10/14/bamboo_1/index.html?source=rss http://www.salon.com/mwt/the_big_idea/2004/10/14/bamboo_1/index.html?source=rss It's long, strong and pleasing to the eye. So -- who needs wood?