1. If a kid needs school tutoring, find the hippest, most attractive college student you can. At least, that's according to author David Anderegg, who says that breaking down the "nerd" myth is crucial. That myth, Anderegg says, may actually be causing America to fall behind.

2. Being a World of Warcraft guild custodian is a lot like working at MIT. Joi Ito, head of the MIT Media Lab, believes that learning comes from play - a good reason to question America's test-heavy educational status quo.

3. Questioning authority is built into the fabric of Judaism. According to author Simon Schama, this may be one reason that there are so many Jewish innovators - from Einstein to Freud to Mahler.