T h e l o g o o f M i n i s t r y o f I d e a sThe logo derives from Democritus’ definition of the word idea. Democritus was a pre-Socratic Philosopher born in Abdera in the north of Greece ca. 460 BC. Democritus believed that everything was built from one and the same material and he used theword idea for these building blocks of the universe, these particles that are only different concerning shape and arrangement.

The logo is built from two symbols. A lightbulb, wich is commonly understood as the symbol for idea, according to my research and the atom wich is an Idea according to Democritos theory. The atomic symbol also has links to various fields of science and technology.

The rings around the lightbulb are symbolic for the different paths members of the Minstry of Ideas are on. Where these pathsintersect a great idea (the lightbulb) is pulled into existence. The blue particle is symbolic for the individual.

Ministry of Ideas is a nonprofit fellowship of creative individuals on various fields, for that reason the logo is light and colourful.

Co l o u r sThese are the logos CMYK values.

K90 M35 Y100 C40 Y100 C100 M12

Neg a t i v e v e r s i o nThis version is used on 93% black background. The right version is used in spaces where it fits better than the left one.

Po s i t i v e v e r s i o nThis version is used with the darker version, for example in pamphlets and reports. It is only used on white background.The right version is used in spaces where it fits better than the left one.

GUDJON MAR GUDJONSSON WWW.MINISTRYOFIDEAS.IS

TIME

PHILOSOPHY

PRACTICAL

IDEOLOGY

POWER OF THE GRASSROOTS

THE WISDOM OF CROWDS

TIME TRAVEL

ICELAND AS A LAB

THE BIG PICTURE

LAUNCH: VISIONING PLATFORM

THIS PRESENTATION

AS WE ALL

WHY NOT THINK

BIG  THINK  

SHAPING THE

DOESNT NEED TO COST

ANYTHING

FUTURE  

T h e l o g o o f M i n i s t r y o f I d e a sThe logo derives from Democritus’ definition of the word idea. Democritus was a pre-Socratic Philosopher born in Abdera in the north of Greece ca. 460 BC. Democritus believed that everything was built from one and the same material and he used theword idea for these building blocks of the universe, these particles that are only different concerning shape and arrangement.

The logo is built from two symbols. A lightbulb, wich is commonly understood as the symbol for idea, according to my research and the atom wich is an Idea according to Democritos theory. The atomic symbol also has links to various fields of science and technology.

The rings around the lightbulb are symbolic for the different paths members of the Minstry of Ideas are on. Where these pathsintersect a great idea (the lightbulb) is pulled into existence. The blue particle is symbolic for the individual.

Ministry of Ideas is a nonprofit fellowship of creative individuals on various fields, for that reason the logo is light and colourful.

Co l o u r sThese are the logos CMYK values.

K90 M35 Y100 C40 Y100 C100 M12

Neg a t i v e v e r s i o nThis version is used on 93% black background. The right version is used in spaces where it fits better than the left one.

Po s i t i v e v e r s i o nThis version is used with the darker version, for example in pamphlets and reports. It is only used on white background.The right version is used in spaces where it fits better than the left one.

T h e l o g o o f M i n i s t r y o f I d e a sThe logo derives from Democritus’ definition of the word idea. Democritus was a pre-Socratic Philosopher born in Abdera in the north of Greece ca. 460 BC. Democritus believed that everything was built from one and the same material and he used theword idea for these building blocks of the universe, these particles that are only different concerning shape and arrangement.

The logo is built from two symbols. A lightbulb, wich is commonly understood as the symbol for idea, according to my research and the atom wich is an Idea according to Democritos theory. The atomic symbol also has links to various fields of science and technology.

The rings around the lightbulb are symbolic for the different paths members of the Minstry of Ideas are on. Where these pathsintersect a great idea (the lightbulb) is pulled into existence. The blue particle is symbolic for the individual.

Ministry of Ideas is a nonprofit fellowship of creative individuals on various fields, for that reason the logo is light and colourful.

Co l o u r sThese are the logos CMYK values.

K90 M35 Y100 C40 Y100 C100 M12

Neg a t i v e v e r s i o nThis version is used on 93% black background. The right version is used in spaces where it fits better than the left one.

Po s i t i v e v e r s i o nThis version is used with the darker version, for example in pamphlets and reports. It is only used on white background.The right version is used in spaces where it fits better than the left one.

STARTED WITH A SPARK

OPEN MEETUPS NON-POLITICAL

100% TRANSPARENT PROCESS

GRASSROOTS ECONOMY

YOU CREATE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, EXPERIENCES

HEARTBEAT

OF THE GRASSROOT IN INNOVATION

52 BEATS A YEAR  52 STEPS CLOSER TO THE FUTURE  

VISION

WEEKLY OPEN

MEETUP

22   23   24  20   21  18   19  16   17   25  15  

NEW WORLD MODEL

OPEN VISIONING PLATFORM

The Icelandic opportunity: Inspiration for a new world model

31st March, 2009

To the Leaders at the G20 London Summit,

A people's movement in Iceland, the Ministry of Ideas hereby outlines to the G20 leaders an

opportunity for prototyping a sustainable world.

What level of growth is sustainable in the long term? The answer is not clear, but it is

imperative that we find out. Our behavior is and has been unsustainable. The key to

understanding is to earnestly admit that we all share but one ultimate resource, our fragile

planet.

The crash of the Icelandic financial system was a clear early indicator of an unsustainable

economy and democracy. It demonstrated the vulnerability of modern political systems and

the need for clear values.

Solving the current challenges by adding new policies to an already fractured framework,

as well as injecting economic stimulants, should merely be a short-term fix, to keep the

wheels turning while getting to the root of the problem. We now know that long-term

problems are not solved with short-term solutions. The very foundations of liberty and

democracy must be revisited.

At this significant moment in time we do not just stand as nations, alliances or empires but

as citizens of a global village. We all share a dream to create and sustain prosperity for

generations to come. United by our common resources, we need a shared vision.

Iceland has a longstanding democratic and entrepreneurial heritage, with a parliament

dating back to 930. It has no military and a highly educated population of just 300

thousand. After its recent rise and fall, Iceland offers a unique opportunity in history as the

laboratory for prototyping the development of a sustainable model society in all areas,

including democracy, economy, currency and energy.

The time for action is now, while Iceland's infrastructure and financial system are being

rebooted. We invite you to take part in this exciting venture.

On behalf of the Ministry of Ideas in Iceland

The people's movement

www.ministryofideas.is

secretariat@ministryofideas.is

DEAR BARACK OBAMA,  

G20  WE HAVE A PROPOSAL  

“MR. FOREIGN MINISTER  

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A VISIT  THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON THERE”  

WORLD WIDE WEB

ELECTRICITY

WATER UTILITIES OUR UNIVERSITIES

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

OUR GRANDPARENTS’ VISION

EXECUTION OF IDEAS  

IN A SMALL SOFTWARE COMPANIES

Vision

1-2 per year 1-4 per year 1-4 per year Every sprint (1-4 weeks)

EVENT 1

RoadmapPlanning

EVENT 2

ReleasePlanning

EVENT 3

Retrospective

EVENT 7

DailyScrum

EVENT 5

SprintPlanning

EVENT 4

SprintReview

EVENT 6

Potentially shippable Increment

of product

WISHLIST

SPRINT BACKLOG PRODUCT BACKLOG

HOW DID WE GET TO THE  

MOON?  

WITH A SIMPLE

VISION

"...I BELIEVE THAT THIS NATION

SHOULD COMMIT ITSELF TO ACHIEVING

THE GOAL, BEFORE THIS DECADE IS OUT,

OF LANDING A MAN ON THE MOON AND

RETURNING HIM SAFELY TO THE

EARTH…” MAY 25TH 1961  

SAID THE BOOKKEEPER AT NASA

“MY WORK IS TO GET A MAN TO THE MOON…”

IN SPACEPEN US INVESTS

CO$T MILLIONS

FISHER AG-7 SPACE PEN

PENCIL!

FUTURE

ART  

IS  

THE FUTURE IS LIKE

JAPANESE  

MARTIAL ART!

AIKIDO

USE ITS

FORCE IN OUR

ADVATAGE THE WAY OF UNIFYING WITH LIFE ENERGY

“I THINK THERE IS A

WORLD MARKET FOR

MAYBE FIVE COMPUTERS.” THOMAS WATSON���CHAIRMAN, IBM, 1943  

“WE DON'T LIKE THEIR SOUND, AND GUITAR MUSIC IS ON THE WAY OUT.”

DECCA RECORDING REJECTING THE BEATLES, 1962

“COMPUTERS IN THE FUTURE MAY WEIGH NO MORE THAN 1.5 TONS.”

POPULAR MECHANICS, MARCH 1949

RECEIVED C IN MUSIC IN SCHOOL  

IN EIGHTH GRADE  

“AS A COMPOSER, BEETHOVEN'S MUSIC TEACHER:

HE IS HOPELESS.”

LEARNED TO READ 7 YEARS OLD

ALBERT  EINSTEIN  

FAILED  HIS  UNIVERSITY  ENTRANCE  

EXAM  

WALT DISNEY WAS FIRED FROM HIS EARLY JOB FOR

YOUNG WALT DISNEY'S FIRST BUSINESS

LACK OF IDEAS AND HAVING NO IMAGINATION  

BEFORE HE AND HIS BROTHER FOUNDED THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY  

THEN WENT BANKRUPT

ICELANDERS  

RISK TAKERS  

AT HEART?  

WE ONLY HAVE ONE [ STILL ]  

US

UK

PLANET NEEDS

TODAY  EACH  OF  US  LIVES  SEVERAL  HUNDRED  YEARS  IN  A  

DECADE  

NIGHT OUR GLOBAL VILLAGE AT  

GAP!  

CHANGE IN SOCIETY  

ABILITY OF EDUCATION TO ADAPT

TIME  

IT STARTS WITH AN IDEA.

AN INSPIRATION.

A NEED TO CHANGE.

A NEED TO INNOVATE.

THOMAS EDISON  "TOO  STUPID  TO  LEARN  ANYTHING"  

SAID  HIS  TEACHER  

ONLY HAD 3 MONTHS OF FORMAL SCHOOLING

GENERAL ELECTRIC 327.000

ICELAND 319.756

GENERAL ELECTRIC HAS A VISION

ICELAND’S VISION ?  

VISION OF A NATION  

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WISDOM OF CROWDS  

9 AREAS x 9 GROUPS x 9 MEMBERS x 2  

VISION PLANNING SESSION  1.500 PEOPLE  

CAPTURING THE HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION'S CREATIVITY  

WE ALL HAVE OUR PLANS FOR

THE FUTURE

INTEGRITY EQUAL RIGHTS RESPECT JUSTICE

VA LU E S

ECONOMY  

EDUCA

TION  

PUBLIC  

ADMINISTR

ATION  

FAMILY  

ENVIRO

NMEN

T  

EQUAL  RIGHTS  

HEA

LTHCA

RE  

SUSTAINABILITY  

OPP

ORT

UNITIES  

PRIORITIES   PRIORITIES   PRIORITIES   PRIORITIES   PRIORITIES   PRIORITIES   PRIORITIES   PRIORITIES   PRIORITIES  

ACTIONS   ACTIONS   ACTIONS   ACTIONS   ACTIONS   ACTIONS   ACTIONS   ACTIONS   ACTIONS  

ICELAND HAS

WORLD NEEDS

OPPORTUNITY

THE ICELANDIC OPPORTUNITY

INSPIRATION  

FOR A NEW  WORLD MODEL  

THE ICELANDIC OPPORTUNITY

WORLD   ICELAND  

... ON A DIFFERENT FREQUENCY

ICELAND HAS

ENERGY

300  

THOUSANDS

TINY IN POPULATION

INFRASTRUCTURE THE   BASIC   PHYSICAL   AND   ORGANIZATIONAL  

STRUCTURES   NEEDED   FOR   THE   OPERATION   OF   A  SOCIETY   OR   ENTERPRISE,   OR   THE   SERVICES   AND  FACILITIES   NECESSARY   FOR   AN   ECONOMY   TO  FUNCTION  

ALL YOU NEED  

FOR A GOOD  

LAB  

PROTOTYPE A ON ELECTRIC CARS PROTOTYPE B ON DATA CENTERS PROTOTYPE C ON BATTERY CHARGING PROTOTYPE D TRANSPORTAION BUSINESS MODEL PROTOTYPE E ACTIVE DEMOCRATIC PROTOTYPE F ON REALTIME CURRENCY

CALL FOR ACTION!  HELP US  

VISIONING A NEW WORLD MODEL  

MINISTRYOFIDEAS.IS