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Donations Are Appreciated

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Room to Read
World Vision
Africare
Just Give (search category for any possible charity)
Eco Design (greenpeace)
World Changing

Do you remember what it was like to be a kid?

I remember flying imaginary planes outside into the wind, scraping up my arms from climbing trees like a monkey, building tree houses where I would go and dream of being a king, blowing bubbles and watching the sparkle of the rainbows, the smell of fall leaves on my clothes after piling them up and tumbling into them, sled riding and the soft marshmallow's in my hot chocolate on my lips, building lemonade stands out of cardboard and the smorgasboard of flavors in my grandmas garden.

These are suppose to be simple times filled with warm innocent memories. We were truly free from all the elements of the world, we were restless dreamers and consumers of fantasies. Unfortunately this isn't the same memory that other people all over the world have the luxury of remembering. It's never too late to do something and help. There is no better time then right now.

People across the world are living in partial and complete desolation. I don't know how any of us can rest easily and simply do nothing or at best say words like, "That's sad, I wish I could do something?". I not going to post a pity picture up of a child that needs your help and who is suffering from malnutrition and covered with flies. We've all witnessed the cruelty of the world and of our own kind.

What I want is to inform you of the foundations, organization, services, nonprofit services, charities and donation centers that exist to help the cause.

I understand it can be overwhelming to find a provider that you feel comfortable and confident with. I know a problem with most processes is the fact that you lose connection with your efforts or don't see the results. Also, I know picking the right organization can be cumbersome. And an even greater hesitancy is the difficultly of letting go of something of value and not getting anything more than good karma in return.

We all work diligently and in some perspective "hard" to achieve what we earn, but as humanitarians we should feel an urgency and necessity to take care of planet. Prosperity can come and go, but it's our responses to opportunities that can shape the world. If you think for a second that your small investment isn't worthy of recognition than I will personally do whatever it takes to remedy that.

Above you will find a short list of providers I strongly recommend. They are ones that I'm confident in advertising and wish that I could do more personally for them.

Your contributions large or small are never without reward. Imagine taking a gun out of a child's hands and replacing it with a book. The repercussions of that generosity could have no greater value then the opportunity of life.

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Climate and Energy Policy

Friday, November 16, 2007

[Listen] to Presidential Candidates Speak about Climate and Energy Policies

Right now, more than ever, we need to be careful about what we hear and what we believe. President George Bush Jr. has created a dark shadow for the next president to fill. He/ she needs to fulfill the environmental promises, expectations and goals that have already been implemented.

The future of our climate and energy is already in motion but the solutions are still looming. It will take change on national and international levels.

Here is a short list of areas to keep an eye on:
  • Leading industries
  • Major importing
  • Major exporting
  • Industrial production
  • Technological advancements
  • Global relationships
  • Resource outlooks and figures
  • Developing areas across the globe
The development of such a monumental alteration comes from specifically orchestrated decisions. The election of our next President is only one of those, but a major one.


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Lifestraw

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Lifestraw Homepage

It's good to know that government funding and scientific research can still develop positive inventions.

I mean sure it's cool that my phone can play music, take pictures, get internet, email, calculate, wake me up, play movies, entertain, send images, open doors, function as a remote control, grate cheese and... oh yeah make calls.

Imagine the lives that will be affected with this invention. Imagine how many children will see an age they never dreamed of. Imagine how many memories will be created now because people can DRINK WATER.

This is only one small step to solving a very serious problem and by no means is this the answer, but at least something has been created, HOPE.



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Jatropha


Jatropha - Wiki
Jatropha [article]

Researchers are constantly exploring any new evidence for natural resources. A lot of economical factors are based on our resources which makes a transition from one element to another very difficult.

We have the knowledge, the technology and the developing areas to designate significant research. By utilizing new technologies we can also think critically about other factors. Creating new trades with foreign countries, opening new avenues for pharmaceutical research, financially aid other countries and so much more.

It's true that we learn from history. This is a generation of alteration and reconstruction. There has been Industrial Revolutions, Post-Modernism, Baby Boom... this is the Age of Reconstruction.

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The Precipice Alliance

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Website for THE PRECIPICE ALLIANCE

Where to start with this post...?

The Precipice Alliance was created to bring awareness of the global effects of climate change. It's an institute created to support art installations, creative freedom and inspiration. There are amazing resources on the site that I strongly recommend taking some personal time with exploring and sharing (Look for: "External Links" and "Sponsors"). I first heard of this through David Reinfurt - Dexter Sinister of O R G who spoke at Pecha Kucha.

Pecha Kucha was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It's grown to be a melting pot of international issues, inspiring work and social awareness. It's really so much more than this, but it was born from these concepts in mind.

David Reinfurt spoke about Dubai and more specifically human rights.

Is it remarkable what Dubai has been able to achieve?
YES.
Did it come at a cost?
YES.
This cost was paid by financing but more importantly human life.

There won't ever be a definitive number to the people who lost their lives to create this fantasy land.
Why?
Because people were imported and treated as slaves. When they arrived they were given promises and false hopes. As soon as they arrived all their personal belongings were confiscated, including any personal identification, security cards, passports, photographs... anything and everything. Of course these documents were "conveniently misplaced" and never found again. I heard at that point they fabricated a figure of 3,000 people losing their lives when in actuality it was closer to 50,000.

Imagine needing financial help so badly that you would leave your family and country. Imagine giving up your rights and freedoms and identity to try and earn enough to send home for survival. Imagine giving up your life so other people can snowboard indoors.

CAN YOU?

I can't!!!




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COFFEE TIME

Monday, November 5, 2007

Starbucks Article
Fair Trade Coffee

I do love taking a corporate logo and redesigning it to showing it for what it really represents. However, I can't seem to keep doing that. For fear that I'm only representing it's image even more and the idea that, "Even Bad Advertising is Good Advertising".

I'm not advocating any bit of the coffee business. It's made up of some of the most corrupt individuals in the world. Workers are often treated like slaves, underpaid, exposed to terrible working conditions and bribed. Then there's the environmental concerns: highly potent chemicals, natural resources being absorbed and the affects on the natural wildlife. We should also look at our dependency of this chemical. Our consumption is one problem but also the economy that exist because of this little bean. The affects can be great: addiction, stunted growth, increased heart rate, leading cause of stress (caffeine) and bad breathe.

I am a coffee addict myself. I love knowing the differences between good and bad coffee. I love all the different flavors. I love waking up and preparing it and smelling it. I love going to my local independent shops and talking about it. I love reading a book and sipping on a strong black cup-o-joe. I love pounding my last sip before starting my day. I love my memories that I have with me drinking coffee. I love picking it out and reading about it. There's a lot to love about something so simple.

But there is too much at stake. Spend a moment trying to find the will power deep inside to make wiser choices. Sure this might mean you'll go through withdrawal syndrome, but you can wakeup and feel good about yourself instead of feeling awake.

If nothing else, try and buy from a fair trade vendor and research more about your aromatastic product.

How are the people treated, where was it processed, how was it produced, how was it packaged, how long was it roasted, how was it supplied/ shipped, how much is produced annually... be tasteful and WAKE UP!

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Straw Architecture


Try and blow this house down you big bad wolf [article]

In every industry there seems to be these areas that are frequently studied, discussed and researched that go overlooked by those who don't share the same practice. Straw Bale Construction isn't a new form of construction it's just not the most common.

It has many pros:
  • Typically a local product, which cuts down on fuel cost
  • When plastered over it has a higher fire rating than the majority of other materials (believe it or not)
  • The leftover material would typically be burnt, which (for obvious reasons) is not good
  • Construction cost per square foot is lower
  • Manufacturing cost is more efficient
  • It's a sustainable material
  • Increases energy efficiency (cools and insulates better)
  • From a design perspective can be an interesting material in comparison
As the article demonstrates and further imagery will support, this is an amazing alternative to our typical building components. It's unfortunate that topics like this aren't more common knowledge. Lets share our ideas and expand the realms of possibilities.



2008 Presidential Candidates

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Here are the 2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

On my best behavior I will say this...
It is an absolute tragedy when american idol receives more votes than our presidential election.

Lets break this down...

U. S. GOVERMENT:
People going to war, killing human beings, guarding our livelihood, creating a future for our country, aiding in the development and protection of others, building an economy for the world, creating new laws, generate revenue, provides and imports resources, etc...

American Idol:
Joe Schmo gets a contract to produce more crap in the world. If he/ she doesn't win they still will get a multi-million dollar contract. Sing, entertain, buy stuff, makes front page news with every new haircut, will make most dinner conversations, becomes a little girl(s) or boy(s) role model. Will fall off the face of the Earth in less than 5 years.

At least we will be singing new stupid songs while the world goes to hell.

Sounds like AMERICA to me!

VOTE NOW AMERICA!


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Addiction



Article about television

For some time now I've been against "most" television programming. To say all programs are bad would be like saying that all fats and sugars are as well. I would assume we all would agree that this isn't true and on occasion they can all be essential to life.

It's a proven fact that the flashes of light from the tele actually cause a person to experience a form of hypnosis.

The human eye can read at a rate of 1/100th fps (frames per second). Television typically ranges from 30 - 60 fps. Below that rate would be perceived as flickering and above would be continuous light.

If you look at the evolution of television and the film industry you'll notice dramatic differences quickly within the industry. That's because LIKE ALL THINGS there is a science to it. People are paid a lot of money to make sure you don't walk away from a program or turn it off. That explains the quick frames, extreme lighting control, action and need for quick transitions.

Why do you think stations hate dead air?

Yes, you can feel bad for wasting your entire evening watching that rerun you've seen 1,000 times before but now you have someone to blame. Don't be fooled by the manufactured light. Choose how you live your life and spend your time.

Wake up and welcome back to the REAL WORLD.


"Boredom doesn't exist. I have too many hobbies to ever feel bored. People who use this term obviously aren't stimulated by life and aren't using their brains for real thinking."
- [loosely quoted] by Matthew Ziff