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Predicting pandemics with search engines

Lucy Bernholz

13 Nov 2008

Google has realized that it might be able to predict flu outbreaks by monitoring search patterns. To see what they see check out Google Flu Trends.

This is an example of the kind of disruptive innovation that becomes possible when you see new information or old information in new ways. Great potential for viewing philanthropic capital.

Tags: philanthropy, data, googleflu

Black backround with white dots disguising a black box with white dots

What are foundations?

The Republican Party in Congress is proposing big tax increases on endowments. Foundations (and large endowed nonprofits such as universities and hospitals) are fighting back. As they do so, they'll make claims about their role in civil society, in supporting the vulnerable, in strengthening communities. They are hoping
13 May 2025 3 min read
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Everything for Everyone

The Philanthropy Book Club (PBC) met a week ago to discuss this work of speculative fiction, Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052-2072 by Abdelhadi and O'Brien. We set two meeting times in an effort to accomodate global time zones, but one group
10 May 2025 3 min read
Orange neon letters spell "Everything you can imagine is real" against a black background

Is this true? What could make it more true?

I'm getting ready for the next two meetings of the PBC (Philanthropy Book Club)> more details on when we're meeting are here, and if you signed up already you will have received the information to attend. We're reading Everything for Everyone for Everyone:
22 Apr 2025 2 min read
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