Big Think
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Female,
189
- from London
- Profile views: 69,067
- Member since: June 2009
- www.bebo.com/BigThink
Big Think Competition
Can you come up with a concrete concept to crack climate change, clamp down on crime and create career opportunities? Well, Bebo's Big Think can put your ideas in front of some of the most influential people in Britain.
You've already shared your views with each other and we've even given some of you the chance to put your questions to Gordon Brown. And now, you have the opportunity to showcase your own ideas for building a better Britain, all thanks to Bebo's Big Think. What can we say? We're nice like that.
We're looking for illuminating, practical ideas on the three C's - climate change, crime and careers. Whether it's working better with local police, an ingenious initiative to cut your street's carbon footprint or a suggestion to help tackle youth unemployment or bullying, we want to know what's in your head that could make Britain better.
We want you to send in your idea, concept or solution to Bebo's Big Think (or email idea@bebosbigthink.co.uk). The innovators behind the top six ideas will be whisked to London to take part in a one-of-a-kind workshop run by experts. They'll learn how to amp up their idea for maximum impact, before pitching it to a high-profile panel headed up by none other than the Cabinet Office Minister, with responsibility for the 2012 Olympics, - Tessa Jowell!
The workshop will give our six finalists the chance to prepare for this pitch of a lifetime where they'll sell their idea to this panel of celebrities and well-known experts. Each finalist will have 10 minutes to show off their idea, and field tricky questions on how they see it working in practice. They'll need to think through how their idea could actually work and be prepared to be in charge of making it happen - with a little help from the top!
We'll whittle our finalists down to three winners, who'll present their plan, in person, to members of the British Cabinet. Who knows from there? You could be walking the corridors of power with the help of government to get your idea off the ground. We can smell the power from here.
So, it's time to get thinking!
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- Your ideas for our future
- Me, Myself, and I
- Fancy telling top politicians how YOU would make the country better? Post your ideas, inspiration and ambitions for Britain on our dedicated forum to do just that.
Bebo want to put your thoughts in front of some of the country’s leading politicians and policy-makers. What you post here matters; the Government want to read it and harness your imaginations to craft a better, fairer future for all of us.
Today we will be selecting FIVE lucky winners from the entries received on Bebo, to give the Prime Minister some personal political pointers at an exclusive Downing Street Q&A session.
Winners will be contacted individually, and posted on this page, so watch this space to find out who your spokespeople are.
The competition is now closed, but even if you haven't been selected to go to No.10 next week, please continue to send in your questions, so that your Bebo spokespeople will have your questions and thoughts to present to the Prime Minister!
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George Lenton - download his free track on Bebo's Big Think
Download the buzz track to the Number 10 film for free at the top of the page. It's called Refresh and it's by George Lenton ft. Liz Laurence.
Growing up on a diet of long-haired rock and grunge, George Lenton was drawn to dance music by the energy of the flourishing drum and bass scene.
Enraptured one night by the turntable skills of the Scratch Pervert he bought some decks, spent twenty five hours a day practicing flare, crabs and other obscure figure contortions and eventually entered loads of proper turntablist competitions.
Shortly after he began making in-roads into production, joining a band to channel his passion. When the old cliché of ‘musical differences’ reared its ugly head however, George set off solo, turning his new skills to creating energetic music that makes you want to move.
Still with an emphasis on drums and bass (though not always in that order), his productions span electro, glitchy hip-hop and dubstep and have had wide-spread blog support, as well as Radio One plays from the likes of Rob Da Bank and Huw Stephens.
You can find him on Bebo here: http://www.bebo.com/georgelenton
0 Comments 89 days
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In awe....
Attia here!! Today Gordon Brown took on 15 people's worth of challenging questions. It's easy to feel disconnected with politics, especially now; when the House of Commons can be a two-party/person battle, and all you hear in the newspapers is MP "scandals".. however, this mornings events really changed my perception of the way the country is run. Meeting Gordon Brown was an eye-opening experience - just know that what you see and read in the papers isn't always the case.
We arrived at Number 10 at the early start of 6.45...We had our beautiful breakfast in the "white drawing room", and proceeded to go downstairs to wait for the Prime Minister to arrive in the Cabinet Room, which is all the heads of departments meet on a weekly basis. Instead of foreign and education secretaries, the 15 of us were seated at the Cabinet table, and I wasn't ready for him to go around and greet all of us individually, but he gracefully did! I introduced myself; "Hi! I'm Attia...I'm 17, i've just finished my first year of A-levels..I'd love to study Politics and International Relations at University". Genuinely, he wanted to know what I'm interested in, to which I explained that I want to study the Middle East....He carefully elaborated on how sensitive a region it is, and that he's meeting with a leader from Palestine, and a leader of Israel to make progress. I would have loved to talk about it more, but there were a good 10 others to go, before we got down to the hard hitting questions.
Though we were sat around an official table, the dialogue was very relaxed, and we had the opportunity to ask supplementary questions, and the chance to challenge his answers if we didn't agree...I said (a bit contraversially....) that I don't think we should bring the voting age to 16, because personally, my political viewpoint wasn't as developed as it could have been had I studied Politics earlier....The Prime Minister then put forward a suggestion that we incorporate political parties more into the compulsory Citzenship lessons at school so 15 and 16 year olds have a more rounded viewpoint - a suggestion very, very warmly welcomed....as was the idea of a youth referendum. I say...watch this space!
We then proceeded onto the terrace, which overlooked the most beautiful garden, complete with strawberry plants and a trampoline! There, Rick Edwards, who facilitated the whole discussion debriefed us and we reflected over the eventful talk. Having visited Downing street and having challenged Gordon Brown himself about confidence in politics, the voting age, and knife crime, I feel so confident that this is the field I want to enter. Maybe I won't be replacing Mr. PM himself, but who knows...you might see me knocking on Number 10 more often!
Attia
x0 Comments 105 days
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Mr Brown and the Big Think by James Gunn
Today was the day we met Gordon Brown. Arriving bright and early at 10 Downing Street, the 15 of us were warmly welcomed into the exquisite residence with a spot of breakfast before the debate. Entering the room where the present Cabinet as well as numerous previous Cabinets before have debated many pressing issues, I couldn't help feeling a sense of formality mixed with some apprehension and nerves.
At a quarter to eight, Mr Brown entered and personally introduced himself to each and everyone of us. What could have been quite a nervous affair was soon calmed by the soft-talking PM as he asked us a little about ourselves walking round the large boardroom table. After the initial formalities, Rick Edwards kicked off the proceedings and we began to ask our questions. Covering issues from crime to education and climate change to immigration, we all had a chance not only to ask the Prime Minister something but really tell him our views on the matters.
From meeting and talking with Mr Brown, my perception of the man who runs our country has somewhat changed for the better. Warm, humourous and truly caring are some of the words I would use to describe the person who the media seem to have lost faith in. Mr Brown was on the ball and really knew in depth about all the issues covered. Of particular interest was his view of lowering the voting age to 16. With so many people disenchanted with politics nowadays, its the younger generation that needs to be targeted and involved. Mr Brown's ideas for integrating more citizenship classes to schools and colleges will help educate young people with the issues in politics today and lowering the voting age will open a whole new set of people to the political world.
If you are interested in involving youself with politics now is the time to start. Get on the internet and visit the party websites to read about their policies and have your say on what matters to you. A film of all our experiences at Number 10 will be arriving on Bebo very shortly so watch this space for that! I feel very privileged to have had the chance to visit Number 10 and meet Gordon Brown himself and if you have a view or opinion please post them on my wall or the Big Think's as I am keen to hear:
James Gunn, Orange RockCorps
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?Memb...0 Comments 105 days
Top Tips
Want some tips on taking your idea to the top? This could help you end up with a winning idea. Take a look below...
1. Think close to home first. Is there a problem that you want to sort in your local area? Have you been affected by something that you want to change? Is there an issue that needs an illuminating solution? The best ideas start small but could have a big impact. And if it works.... imagine seeing your plan replicated across the entire country!
2. Remember, you don't have to send in the world's most exciting, furthest-reaching, humanity changing idea. We're just after something that's realistic and of real benefit to the people of Britain
3. How's your idea going to actually work? What's the step-by-step process for making it happen? Why not have a think about what and who you'll need to put your plan into practice.
4. Keep it short and sweet - a well thought-through idea won't need a novel to sell it to the panel
5. Get thinking and light up your future with Bebo's Big Think
The Ambassadors
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Which crimes are the most likely to lead a young person astray in Britain?
- Taking drugs - getting high seems to be no big deal
- Underage drinking – nobody waits til their 18 for their first pint
- Violent crime – guns and knifes are commonplace
- Shoplifting – make up and cds fit snugly up coat sleeves
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Whose actions do you find most inspiring?
- Angeline Jolie for her work as a UN ambassador
- Bono for his fight against global poverty
- Green Day for donating all royalties from iTunes sale of Boulevard of Broken Dreams to help victi
- Rihanna for creating the Believe Foundation for terminally ill children
- Ludacris for founding the Ludacris Foundation for inspiring young people and promoting community
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What’s most important in a career?
- Fun – find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!
- Fame – I want to see my name in lights
- Financial rewards – I’m after a life of leisure, holidays and fab clothes
- Flexible work hours – family and friends come first
- Friends – working with a great crew makes every day a laugh
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School Books
by
Chris Walsh
should we change the school books for english0 Replys 10 weeks
if so what books do you think you should read?
i personally think that we shouldn't change it -
Economic? - Literate? - Environmental? - British?
by
Will Dickson
2 Replys 15 weeks
I'm a Brit - and like most am proud to be a Brit... The country is small but powerful, powerful but respected.
But
More and more i find thing that nag away at me - they get me down - i feel the governement could be doing soo much more and i find it disconcerting that ideas that are commonly spoken of are being brushed aside or are just generally unknown around the UK and it's governments.
Firstly
Even whilst browsing this page it is evident to all who come on that literacy levels are a big problem - people know what they want to say but it's not being portrayed in the right way or simple words like - Child - are being written - Chield - this is just one disturbingly obvious spelling mistake. Whilst i'm not claiming to be perfect myself and do at times struggle with grasping certain aspects simple words like "child" a word which is everpresent in most peoples lives, being mispelt makes me wonder more than ever before what is happening to our education system!!?
Are Children not being taught properly? - are they being taught at all? Who's teaching them to the point that they think it's acceptable or accurate to mispell words? I know this may seem like a very petty thing to bring up but like any chain reaction and probably summed up best with the Bielski case is it starts with one and progress'.
Obviously both are completely different in many ways but the whole thought process needed regarding how one life can end up effecting soo many more is something that really needs to be addressed. If Britain suddenly becomes unable to have a strong foundation due to illiteracy then it would be down to the governments of my lifetime.
SECONDLY
In this world which is becoming everso more environmentally aware i am finding it very hard to understand why more measures aren't being taken to ensure Britains doing the best it can to decrease energy use/ plastic bags are still being made on a readily useable basis and another thing i've noticed... Shop lights at night!! - the amount of shop lights left on at night is way too many - i understand it helps light up the streets but is there not a maximum amount of light that is both safe and environmentally friendly??
could there be a 1 in every 3 are allowed to have their window lights on overnight in a certain area (designated area A) - i say this because if you ever travel down Oxford street at night there are ridiculous amounts of lights on and it's almost reminiscent of walking around during the day. Also on major roads like Oxford street could you not have a small tax to keep lights on - a tax which is competetive and affordable - whoever pays the tax out of the 3 designated shops would be able to have their lights on. Extra revenue from the tax could go into the Chancellors kitty to help with the NHS and schooling as a whole!?!
Another thing i thought i'd bring up is the power of this nation.... i don't mean to address "power" as a power mad individual - i'm not, i've been in enough situations where i have had it to not find it that appealling but i do think there is a lot to be said about the way this countries armed forces are going - cut backs in military personnel and equipment - including ships etc are leaving us as a nation very flat footed and we are starting to be overtaken by quite a few nations. Once the most powerful country in the world with one of the biggest colonies ever controlled, we're are now behiend countries in my views like Sweden , who have been improving their tactical warfare and technology in the area quite considerably.
I feel this place is starting to become hindered - our relationship with America - whilst long standing is arguably questionable now - and reminds me somewhat like the relationship portrayed between America and Britain in Love Actually the film... apart from i see noone making a stand and giving the long-overdue "tellytubby speech".
I could go on for ages and would love the opportunity to put these thoughts -
Continued
by
Captain Awesome
To elaborate on discipline in schools.0 Replys 15 weeks
Now, I'm not a "BRING BACK THE CANE!" enthusiast, but I think that teachers should have more power to discipline moronic, disruptive children. If this means simply ignoring these kids when they shout "child abuse!" so be it.
Speedy expulsion should also be an option. If they don't sort themselves out in a few weeks they probably never will.
IM WITH LAUREN !!!
STOP
GLOBAL
WARMING
!!!
Whats your reasoning behind that af x ?
The government don't care about you.
well the government should deal with knife crime and drugs (including alcohol) because that is what most young people spend most of their money on
i think the lights would be bad for the environment
that is completey true there is no youth clubs for us youngsters to go to or activites we can do so what do people expect us to do ?
There is nothing for the youth of today to do no youth clubs no activities so how do they releive their boredom some go around in gangs drinking and causing mayhem but the vast majority of young adults are respectfull and stay out of trouble.
True True. Another thing that needs fixed is recycling, loads of things that you would think can be recycled actully cant because local councils dont have the proper facilities.....(guess whos having waste management problems !) other countries can manage it so why cant we get the finger out and do the same ?
Thanks Brian. It's interesting how one idea to stop crime can also help the climate and vice versa! Same with careers and crime too. If you give more young people opportunities surely there would be less crime.
Its a good idea oyin you are right winter time is when crime goes up and the goverment needs to do more about adequate lighting so vunerable people feel safe going out at night time.
I don't know the statistics or anything but i presume crime is higher during the winter when it gets darker earlier. There's loads of places like alleys paths roads that could be made lighter to reduce crime and make people feel safe walking there and reduce anti social behaviour there too. May be talking nonsense what do people think?
well bonfire night is closer
hah. ;L I think the goverment need to be putting more money into swine flu vacinations, hospitals + school, rather than wasteing money on art galleries + craaap.
it's rude 2 point
It's not about fitting in, it's about putting your point across and not marring everyone elses purposely to antagonise others.
fair point adam but if i comment on this page i would do it because i have an opinion about something and would like to here other peoples views on the subject at hand not just to fit in with the core people on this page
@Danny: Well as much as i do agree with you on some things i point to you as my example. you presented yourself and your opinion in a certain way in which people would except them and in a way that you wouldn't offend people. While there is a core of people are here others are excepted into this core when they present themselves in a manner befitting civil conversation. Graeme didn't, you did, that makes all the difference.
Societies except people because of there attitudes towards others, not common interests. i'm an example. there is some people i have nothing in common with and yet we are the best of frieds. why is this? because of our attitudes towards each other and who we are.
Anyway time for afresh me thinks lol
@ graeme m8 i didnt insult u i dont really insult anyone on here unless its put to me i voiced my opinion and u started with the anti british crap and that i support sinn fein so u have a little think about who insulted who and i didnt insult ur mrs either in fact even tho all the insults u put to me am one of the ppl who said slagging off ur mrs was a bit much but u cant say u respect ppls opinions when u are calling them anti british as ur response and to be fair m8 no one has mentioned anything hatred ?
i like it. i think computer games can still be fun and productive/benefiticial at the same time. just depends on the game