Today's TED Talk is about flags.

Watch the TED Talk.

The basic rules of flag design include:

• Keep it simple.
• Use meaningful symbolism.
• Use two to three basic colors.
• Don't use lettering or seals (too hard to read from the ground when the flag is atop a pole).
• Be distinctive.

I live in Alameda, California. Based on these rules, our flag is well designed.

San Francisco, on the other hand, was specifically called out as having a bad flag design in the TED Talk. Here's how Autodesk is pitching in to help out.

Sign up today.

You too can get involved. Visit www.sanfranciscoflag.com today.

Semaphores are alive in the lab.