A great little video clip here (2:19 on YouTube) regarding the “vendor/client relationship” that comes frighteningly close to the service/value conversation that we designers often find ourselves in… well worth watching.
(thanks to Cameron Cavers for the link)
A premonition I had in my twenties that I wouldn’t
live beyond forty obviously didn’t pan out…
(message to self—don’t bank on your intuition, OK?)
Thanks to the many friends from far and near
who have sent their regards…
A cautionary message for the United States…
I know this is going to come across as preachy* and I apologize in advance. I’ve been saddened over the past two days at various news reports from our American neighbours, and I just can’t help but respond (rant warning)… It’s incomprehensible to me how such an allegedly “developed” nation as the U.S. can be so blind to basic rules of nature and the truisms of history—state it in whatever terms you like, but “you end up sleeping in the bed you make.” Three troubling traits, to wit…
1). Greed
The U.S. (Wall Street et al at the helm) has recently precipitated a global financial melt-down—we’re told that nearly half of the world’s wealth has disappeared within the past 18 months—affecting both its own hapless citizens as well as the rest of the globalized world. I’ve posted on greed before, so no need to blather on here… though my heart goes out to the auto workers being laid off in droves, to the tens of thousands who have been forced out of homes they can no longer afford, and to the would-be retirees who have lost their life savings and dreams for relaxation in their pensioned September years.
2). Violence
News out this week that Obama will be doubling the number of U.S. troops waging war in Afghanistan (big disappointment there, but I guess I was being naive in thinking that Bush’s departure would bring about a change in Washington’s long-standing, hegemonic approach to war-faring), and that he will be “fighting to prevent the release of photographs documenting abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan by United States military personnel, thereby reversing his earlier position on the issue” after commanders warned that the images “could set off a deadly backlash against American troops.” Duh! The Russians have a great saying that applies here methinks: “Lies have short legs.”—I’d suggest that the only way for the U.S. to purge itself of the scourge and hatred it has brought upon itself through the practice of illegal torture and degradation of its opponents is to finally come clean, rather than to continue with a policy of obfuscation and cover-up at the expense of transparency and accountability. (Just imagine the redemptive and conflict-healing effect that a contrite apology and change of ways from Washington could have on potential young jihadists).
Particularly troubling was the story I chanced across yesterday (here) regarding the Explorers program, a coeducational affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America that began 60 years ago, now training thousands of young people “in skills used to confront terrorism, illegal immigration and escalating border violence,” with a focus on weapon use—essentially educating impressionable teenagers to be armed vigilantes. Is this not akin to training child soldiers? Are there not more positive alternatives than teaching militarism? Perhaps learning about organic gardening, for example, or conflict resolution, or bicycle repair, or learning another language, or acquiring sustainable living skills?
3). Injustice
Another big disappointment today was hearing that the promised shut-down of Guantanamo Bay and the end of the military commission system (tribunals) that the Bush administration created to try “suspected terrorists” is also being forestalled by Obama. But perhaps this also shouldn’t come as a surprise—the U.S. imprisons more of its citizens by far than any other nation on earth (with only 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. boasts 25% of the world’s incarcerated population—very profibable business for the likes of Halliburton, mind you, see comments re: “Greed” above). A look at the U.N.’s statistics on national incarceration rates is telling—the U.S. locks up nearly 7 times as many folks per capita as Canada does, more than 10 times as many as Denmark, and over 20 times as many as India. Home of the brave, land of the free?
*My father was a pacifist pulpiter, so I come by this naturally—is that a valid excuse? He taught me things like “if you live by the sword, expect to die by the sword,” and “you can tell a tree by its fruit…”
Above images: U.S. Explorers (a Boy Scouts of America affiliate) being trained in militarism; see more here.
Freiburg, Germany
From my friend Silvie (who knows more about Tamiflu than you want to know), an apt allegory regarding the mainstream media’s hype du jour…
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Drei Tiere treffen sich….
Sagt der Bär: Wenn ich brülle, zittert der ganze Wald.
Der Löwe: Wenn ich brülle, zittert die ganze Wüste.
Und das Schwein: Wenn ich nur huste, zittert die ganze Welt…
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Three animals meet…
The bear says: When I roar, the whole forest shivers.
The lion quips: When I roar, the plains tremble.
And the pig retorts: All I have to do is sneeze, and the whole world quakes with fear.
(Image of unknown source, received from brother Phil.)
Lisbon, Portugal
I’ve finished preparing my presentation, and a week from now it’s off to OFFF in Oieras (just outside Lisbon) for what sounds like a very interesting event… a sold-out gig with nearly 4000 enthusiastic attendees. The theme this year is “This isn’t flying. This is falling with style. Fail gracefully.”
Over-the-top image by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) appropriated and pressed into service…
Winnipeg, Canada
Best wishes go out on this special day to my father, John Jacob Peters (born in Russia in 1920 amidst the turmoil following the Bolshevik revolution). May your 90th year bring you ongoing peace, joy, and fulfillment!
This photo of dad is from the late 1940s (scanned by my brother Jim, thanks). Within the past month dad’s undergone successful cataract surgery on both eyes—and can once again see perfectly without glasses for the first time in nearly 50 years!
Vienna, Austria
Dr. Stefan Jellinek (1871-1968) produced numerous publications warning about the ill-considered and foolhardy use of electricity in the home, at work, and in leisure activities. Original illustrations by well-known graphic artists such as Josef Danilowatz, Franz Wacik, and Eduard Stella helped conveyed the (mostly hidden) dangers of electricity effectively. These drawings are from a 1931 book entitled Elektroschutz in Bildern (Electrical Protection in Pictures).
Above images: Electrocution as the result of urinating on power lines (while barefoot), multi-tasking with a hairdryer, and attempting to read outdoors at night (while barefoot)—who knew? Find many more shocking ways to off one’s self in a Flickr collection here compiled by Bre Pettis.
(thanks, Gregor)
Selkirk, Manitoba
This just in from Evelin, from friend Lauraine (via her main squeeze, Gord).
(Original source of image unknown).
Frederick the Great (aka ‘der alte Fritz’)
This bit of obviated profundity is a direct quote (as relevant today as in days of yore) from the man often admired as one of the greatest tactical geniuses of all time (go figure), of whom the Austrian co-ruler Emperor Joseph II (aka Holy Roman Emperor, 1765-1790) wrote: “When the King of Prussia speaks on problems connected with the art of war, which he has studied intensively and on which he has read every conceivable book, then everything is taut, solid and uncommonly instructive. There are no circumlocutions, he gives factual and historical proof of the assertions he makes, for he is well versed in history… A genius and a man who talks admirably. But everything he says betrays the knave.”
Image: Bodies of Confederate soldiers, killed on 1 July 1863, collected near the McPherson woods, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; photographer: Timothy H. O’Sullivan, (1840-1882).
Kootenay National Park, British Columbia
Just three weeks ago I posted about the beautiful Fay Hut designed by my good friend Simon Statkewich (featured on the cover of last month’s Cottage magazine) and re-built with thousands of hours of volunteer effort after a forest fire took the original structure with it in 2003. Today I received the sad news that a group of alpine skiers discovered the hut burned to the ground on Saturday, two days after a previous group departed (they have “assured us that the fire was extinguished, as were all propane appliances before they left the hut” according to an ACC e-mail I received)—the pristinely located hut was “self-insured” by the Club… so it remains to be seen whether it will again arise from the ashes. My feelings go out to you Simon…
