Now here’s a nice idea. On the 18th April from 3 – 4pm Brandeis University in the US will observe what they call an Hour of Presence to take a campus wide break. The idea is to encourage staff and students to talk some time out and slow down – in effect to stop and smell the flowers. Quote:

‘Our goal is to provide a space, not to “do,” but to “be” — to reflect on the meaning and purpose of the things with which we fill our time. It is our hope that this time of refreshment will result in replenished personal energy and renewed connection to others.’

To be perfectly honest, I think the whole world could do with taking a regular series of Hours to try and make some sense of the chaos, but then again what do I know? :-) [via Metafilter]