How do you stay in touch with your kids when you travel? Please add your suggestions and tips in the comments.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 22, Ethan, 20 and Olivia, 19).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads podcast.

Last month I presented on my early findings at the M3 Summit. If your interested in the info checkout my presentation below:

At the conference I was also part of a pannle of dads that were interviewed by CNN check out the clip below:

So if you would like to take the survey here is your chance:

So it was quite thrilling to hear he was part of the lineup at BlogHer Food ’10 in San Francisco last weekend, a gathering of more than 300 food bloggers covering everything from delicious dessert reviews to a mom who cooks gluten free and everything in between.

Ruhlman had two opportunities where I think he dramatically inspired his audience.  He started by wrapping up the conference Saturday evening with an anecdote from Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human by Harvard University Anthropologist Richard Wrangham.  In the book, Ruhlman said,  Wrangham poses the argument that we didn’t become human because we “tamed fire” or because of “some genetic accident.”

No.  Ruhlman (via Wrangham) says we became human because we started to cook. Before we started to cook, apes would have to spend 6-8 hours per day chewing up enough food to get enough nourishment to sustain themselves.  ”Once we started cooking, we could consume enormous amounts of calories very quickly, leaving us all kinds of time to do other things,” Ruhlman said.  We could divide and conquer tasks. Some people could hunt while others cooked.

And because of that, who we were changed as quickly as our genetics changed (larger brains fed by increased calories, less hair as we travelled longer distances more quickly to find food).  ”[Cooking] made us social,” Ruhlman said.  We had to cooperate with one another.  We had to change our temperament.  ”You couldn’t be an asshole if you wanted to eat,” Ruhlman said.

Cooking food is what has made us human and over the past 50 years, he suggested, as Americans, we’ve started taking more shortcuts and stopped cooking as often.  Despite a dedicated TV network that’s seen in nearly 100 million American homes according to the New York Times in 2009, we spend less time in the kitchen than ever before.  Take a chicken recipe in a cooking magazine today and see how the same recipe was prepared 10 years ago and you’ll see the time’s been cut in half (thanks to boneless, skinless chicken breasts that require little, cleaning or preparation).  Obesity is at epidemic levels. The environment and the oceans are in trouble. Cooking “is really, really important,” he said.  ”Cooking is fundamental to our humanity.”  And we should do it more often, write about it more often, no matter whether you’re blogging about cupcakes or more serious issues.

And with that, he drew a standing ovation from the crowd, which shortly thereafter retreated to the closing night event, where Ruhlman held a demonstration on how to properly cure and cook bacon.

A quick bit of transparency and disclosure before you read any further: my company works for the National Pork Board who was a sponsor of the closing event and obviously benefits from any pork (bacon or otherwise) that you decide to buy and eat as a result of this post. They have not asked me to write this post, the have they not influenced any of the content and they did not pay Michael Ruhlman to talk about bacon.  That, he was able to easily do on his own.

Bacon, he said, is a maligned meat.  It has a bad rap for a number of reasons, not the least of which is our perception as Americans about the role of fat in our diet.

Here’s what he had to say: Michael Ruhlman on Bacon and Fat

But more importantly than what he had to say about why it’s ok to eat bacon was what he had to say about how you can make your own bacon at home.  It’s not nearly as hard as I certainly thought…so check out his recipe about it here.  All you need is a piece of pork belly (any good butcher can get that for you he said) and some simple spices.  And time.  And a bit of water (yes, he put the cold bacon in a pan with tap water and brought it all to a boil before allowing all the water to evaporate and the bacon to cook).

Good luck dads … go make some bacon now!  And then you too can look this happy:

Though I’m attending for work (disclosure: several of my firm’s companies are participating in the event), I’m looking forward to taking this on from a Dad-o-Matic perspective. Check back next week for the inside scoop!

Adam's cedar-planked Alaskan sockeye salmon (via Mario Batali's Babbo Cookbook)

In 1999, Sugata Mitra and his colleagues dug a hole in a wall bordering an urban slum in New Delhi, installed an Internet-connected PC, and left it there (with a hidden camera filming the area). What they saw was kids from the slum playing around with the computer and in the process learning how to use it and how to go online, and then teaching each other.

In the following years they replicated the experiment in other parts of India, urban and rural, with similar results, challenging some of the key assumptions of formal education. The “Hole in the Wall” project demonstrates that, even in the absence of any direct input from a teacher,an environment that stimulates curiosity can cause learning through self-instruction and peer-shared knowledge. Mitra, who’s now a professor of educational technology at Newcastle University (UK), calls it “minimally invasive education.”

If nothing else, this charming and enlightening video will open your eyes to the fact that kids are kids, no matter where and under what circumstances they live… and it may change the way you think about learning and appreciate even more the power of the Internet and the vast information accessible to us thanks to technology and our truly connected world.  As an added bonus there is a brief appearance by the late, great author Arthur C. Clarke, who eloquently says, “A Teacher who can be replaced by a machine, should be…” and “… when you have interest, you will have education.”  Please take a few minutes to watch.  You won’t be disappointed.  Oh, and I found an interesting tidbit on Wikipedia: “The Hole in the Wall experiment has left a mark on popular culture. Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup read about Mitra’s experiment and was inspired to write his debut novel Q & A – this subsequently went on to become the movie Slumdog Millionaire.”

What do you think? Can children with a computer and the Internet really teach themselves?  Do your kids learn on their own from the Internet?

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 22, Ethan, 20 and Olivia, 19).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads podcast.

But that of course left the Packers with a kickoff return and :04 to try and make a miracle happen.

For most fans watching the game, the ensuing play with all of the laterals, illegal forward passes and whatnot was just the end of the game..something that’s fun to watch because it happens once or twice per season in the NFL.

For me, though, it’s a whole other story.  Since 2003, I’ve been a member of the official statistics team for the Chicago Bears.  Every NFL team has a team like ours – 5-7 people who watch every play and track (on paper and a computer system) the details of each play.  Each rush.  Each pass.  Each tackle.  And our data then flows out to the world … from those in the stadium to NFL.com to wherever your fantasy team resides.

Chicago Bears Statistics Crew with Jimmy Fallon

For us, as exciting as that play might be to watch at home or in the stadium, for us, it’s a near nightmare.  It’s happening so fast…so many players are touching the ball and then releasing it (was it a lateral? a fumble? an illegal forward pass?) that it takes a good 5-10 minutes to sort it all out (and thankfully, our DVR enables us to go back, and check it all to make sure it’s right.)  The NFL also has a team in New York watching the game and they’re a backup to confirm what we’ve seen.

So for all you fantasy football fans or stat geeks out there, here’s how that final play of Monday’s game looks when “scored.”  Click on the image below to see it more legibly.

(Note: If you and/or anyone in your family is dyslexic or suffers from any vision impairment, please read on for a chance to test an Intel Reader in your home for one month…  Disclaimer: Product links below are Amazon Affiliate links.  I am part of the “Intel Insider

The concept of digital readers or so-called “e-Readers” has certainly hit the mainstream, with the likes of Amazon and Barnes & Noble seemingly engaged in pricing wars for their respective Kindle and  Nook devices as well as many other parties entering the e-ink fray, from Sony to Samsung and other lesser known consumer electronics players.  Add to that the iPad and other Tablets and there are no shortage of “electronic reader” devices to choose from.  The Intel Reader, however, is an entirely different type of electronic reader, designed not to be read like a book, but rather to read aloud to you.  Developed by Intel’s Digital Health Group, the Intel Reader was conceived as a powerful, portable device to aid children and adults with Dyslexia and other vision impairments.  Unlike traditional eBook Readers and other digital reading devices for the blind, the Intel Reader does not need to connect with a digital library and download or install content to be read.  Instead, Intel has cleverly created a “point and shoot” reading device, with an integrated scanning camera that quickly, easily and accurately captures any printed words – from the pages of a book, to the labels on a package, to your daily pile of snail mail -  and then reads it aloud to you, while displaying the text for you to follow along.

“Frustration Is The Mother Of Invention”

I was first introduced to the Intel Reader at the “Upgrade Your Life” event I attended at Intel’s Portland Campus in early June.  The device was introduced to us by Ben Foss, Intel’s Director of Access Technology and I have since had the chance to speak further with Ben to get a more complete history of the Intel Reader.  It turns out that there is a very personal story behind the Reader, inspired by Ben’s own experience and frustrations growing up with Dyslexia.  Reading was such a challenge for Ben that he made his way through Stanford Law School by scanning his reading assignments and faxing them to his Mom so she could call him and read them to him over the phone.  The frustration of relying on recordings, slow and limited text to speech conversions, and the kindness of others to read to him, Ben was convinced there had to be a better way and began to experiment with taking pictures of text and using optical character recognition (OCR) software to convert the images to text readable by text to speech programs.

Technology For Independent Living

Recognizing that the same powerful processors that drive portable computers would also have the processing chops to facilitate fast text to speech conversion and other features in a small, portable, battery powered device, Ben approached Intel Health to seek funding to develop a prototype of his concept, stressing the wide range of children and adults whose lives could be dramatically improved by such a reading device.  One of the missions of Intel Digital Health is to find ways for technology to be used to enable people with chronic illnesses to enjoy a more independent lifestyle, and clearly the Intel Reader concept fit the bill.  Ben received funding and the work began.

Good Behavior

One of the things I’ve learned through spending some time with Intel executives is that the company makes product decisions based on a great deal of research on human behavior and ethnograhics.  In creating the current version of the Intel Reader, prototypes were tested with over 400 people, and the observations made had a direct impact on the design, features and functions of the device.  For example, the camera on the Intel Reader is on the bottom, not on the back as one would typically expect on a handheld picture taking device.  The placement of the camera was a result of researchers observing how people were actually using the Intel Reader and recognizing that if a book was open on a table, it was much easier to photograph the pages with the camera on the bottom edge of the device.  Having played with the Reader I can attest to the fact that it is very easy and intuitive to just hold your arms straight out over the book and snap the picture, thanks to the bottom placement of the camera.

Point, Shoot, Listen

I was sent an Intel Reader to play with, and now that I have had the chance to put it through its paces I am going to share the hands on experience with one of you.  The Reader is very easy to use.  As noted there is a camera on the bottom.  Hold your arms out over the pages of the book and snap.  Simple on-screen menus (all of which speak their commands aloud) let you easily manage and play back the documents you have “scanned” by photographing.  You can set the type and speed of the playback voice, and zoom in on the on-screen fonts to enlarge them to seemingly unlimited sizes.  The Intel Reader even lets you make an MP3 file of the reading of any document you have scanned, so you can listen on a PC, phone, iPod, or any other MP3 capable media device.  This is a great feature, that makes the output of the Intel Reader easy to use in places and circumstances where you may not want or be able to bring along the Intel Reader itself.  In fact, you can listen to this blog post, read by the Intel Reader, here.  For scanning larger documents or lots of pages, Intel makes a Portable Capture Station, that holds the Reader above a book, so you can easily snap to scan, turn the page, snap to scan, etc. capturing a large number of pages in one session.  The Portable Capture Station cleverly folds into a self-contained case so you can easily bring it along to work or school or anywhere else you may want to capture content for your Intel Reader.

Success Stories

The best way to truly understand the value of a device like the Intel Reader is to see firsthand how it can have a positive impact on a person’s daily lifestyle. As Ben Foss says, the impact is greatest when the Reader enables people to once again enjoy doing something they love.  Ben has no shortage of great stories about Intel Reader users, from the Dad with Macular degeneration who uses the Reader to be able to see the check when he takes his kids out to dinner, enabling him to once again proudly “pick up the tab” as he used to do… to the kid who was finally able to read the instructions for the game “RISK” only to learn that his buddies had been “cheating” all along in their regular games.  Here is a video of how one woman used the Intel Reader to return to cooking her favorite recipe.  The Intel Reader is not technically a medical device, and thus may not be covered under medical insurance, however, depending on the user’s situation, it may be tax deductible or something that can be purchased on one’s behalf by their school or employer.  If interested in more detail in that regard, please consult with a qualified professional.  To give you an idea of cost, the list price for the Intel Reader is approximately $1,500 and the cost of the optional Portable Capture Station is approximately $399.

Your Turn

Intel has let Dadomatic borrow an Intel Reader to let one of you use it for one month and see firsthand how a digital Reader that speaks to you can make life a little easier.  If you are interested in having the chance to test drive the Intel Reader, please leave a comment below and let me know why you would like to try out the Intel Reader.  One commenter will be selected to be sent an Intel Reader on loan for one month.  To participate I ask  that you agree to share your experience with me so I can include your views in a follow up post here.  Sound like a plan?

Below is a good video demonstration of the Intel Reader.  I look forward to your thoughts on this innovative electronic reader.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 22, Ethan, 20 and Olivia, 18).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads podcast.

Sleep is like the unicorn – it is rumored to exist, but I doubt I will see any – Anonymous

Our youngest daughter has had “sleep issues” from day one.  Actually, she doesn’t seem to care.  It’s my wife and I that take issue with it.  People have all sorts of advice.  “Go in, but don’t speak.  Just comfort her and put her back to bed in silence.” In silence?! Are you kidding me?  Who are these kids that respond to this?  On what planet does this work?

“Don’t go into her room, just let her cry.”  I never thought of that! Let her cry. Brilliant!  Besides, who is this helping?  Instead of not sleeping, you get to not sleep and listen to screaming.  You get to feel like Charles Manson, and as an added bonus, if you wait long enough, you get the older sister involved.  What’s better than being tired and cranky and dealing with a tired and cranky kid all day?  Being tired and cranky and dealing with two tired and cranky kids all day!  My wife gets those days a lot more than me.

You know what you don’t want to tell someone who has a kid with sleep issues? “My kid didn’t sleep through the night until she was six.”  You remember in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, when Chekov has that eel put into his brain through his ear? Yeah, it’s a little like that.

“There will be sleeping enough in the grave” – Benjamin Franklin.

So my wife and I have learned a few things in these last 1000 days.  First and foremost, we’re never getting divorced.  If we can survive these last two and a half plus years, saying the things two kids in love say to each other at 3 in the morning over the screams of a wailing toddler,  then we’re pretty much good to go.

Another thing?  Nobody truly knows anything about getting a kid to sleep.  Oh, they have theories. If you try a “technique” and that happens to be when your kid decides to start sleeping, a sleep expert is born!  That happens a few times in a row, and that expert becomes a best selling author.   For us, The No Cry Sleep Solution, was no solution.  The Happiest Baby on the Block, does not live at our house.  Well she hangs out during the day, actually.  But at night she tags out, and Bride of Chucky hops in the crib.

The thing is, we really are truly blessed.  Tired and blessed.  Both of our kids are great kids.  Even little snooze alarm is the sweetest, happiest kid most of the time.  She’s quick with a hug, and easy to laugh.  She brings such joy to our lives that we couldn’t imagine life without her.  Of course lack of sleep has an effect on your imagination.

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don’t have one. -Leo J. Burke

Photo Credit: mmagallan

Ian is the father of two young daughters  (7, and 2).  He has a podcast about starting a business while raising young children at Startup Daddy.

Join The Club

One of the latest groups to reach out and raise up Dads is the Social Media Club, who is about to launch their 2010 Fall Tour with the theme, “Social Media + Family, A Dad’s Perspective.”  Founded by Kristie Wells and Chris Heuer in 2006, Social Media Club is perhaps the premiere global organization promoting and educating in ways to “connect media makers from around the world to advance media literacy, promote industry standards, encourage ethical behaviour and share the lessons they have learned.”  Social Media Club boasts active chapters in major cities throughout the world, and hosts many informative, engaging events, and the “Social Media + Family” tour should be a great way for dads and parents to step up and discuss how Social Media has impacted their family lives.  In addition to the 12 city “Dad’s Perspective” tour, in each event city Chris Heuer will be hosting a “Dads Who Lunch” luncheon for local Dad bloggers.  If you are in one of the cities that the Social Media Club tour will be visiting I would encourage you to try to attend the event and luncheon, as an engaged conversation and meeting great people is a guaranteed result.  The tour commences this Wednesday, September 8th, in Atlanta.  The full schedule is:

• Atlanta - Wednesday September 8 (Confirmed)
• Minneapolis - Wednesday September 22 (Confirmed)
• St Louis – Thursday September 23 (Confirmed)
• Phoenix - Thursday September 30 (Confirmed)
• New York – Monday October 4
 (Confirmed)
• Denver – Wednesday October 6 or Thursday October 7
• Seattle – Monday October 11 (Confirmed)
• Detroit – Monday, October 18 (Confirmed)
• Cleveland – Thursday October 21
 (Confirmed)
• Washington, DC – Monday October 25 (Confirmed)
• Baltimore – Tuesday October 26 (Confirmed)
• Boston – Thursday October 28 (Confirmed)

If you are in one of these cities I hope you can make it to the event and support this Dad + Family initiative.  I am confident you won’t be disappointed.

DISCLOSURE: I am a member of Social Media Club and consider Kristie and Chris friends. I have been to SMC events in NY, Florida and other cities and have always been impressed with the membership, content and professionalism of the group.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 22, Ethan, 20 and Olivia, 18).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads podcast.