To Be Or Not To Be……..That Is The Question!
I Would Like To Hear Your Comments On This Antimatter.
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June 18, 2009
We Cannot NOT Change The World!
Everything we do we constantly shapes the world we live in.
Within the design world social design is sometimes defined as a design process that contributes to improving human well-being and livelihood. The agenda of social design is inspired by the idea that designers and creative professionals have a responsibility and are able to cause real change in the world through good design. Designers can contribute to designing more ecological products by carefully selecting the materials they use and designing for people’s needs rather than their wants. Responsible design includes many directions and one of these is design for the Third World. Designers have responsibility over the choices they make in design processes.
Social design thinking within the design world joins developing human and social capital with new products and processes that are profitable. Profitability and ownership of the processes are the cornerstones of sustainability that underpins human well-being. The designer’s ability to envision and give form to material and immaterial products can address human problems on a broad scale and contribute to social well-being. In this view social design is an activity that should not be framed with connotations of charity, aid donations, help etc. It is not voluntary work but it should be seen as professional contribution that plays a part in local economic development or livelihood.
Another dimension of social design focuses on designing systems that join the elements of communication, new product development and the environment. No single area of design is sufficient to drive sustainable social development. A system of design that covers all areas of design, with multiple and complementary factors, aims for a vision of a common goal.
Outside the design world social design appears in a number of professional environments. There are a growing number of artists, especially in Scandinavia, that use the term social design to describe their work, though the work is exhibited within the art world. These are artist like FOS and Superflex. They come out of a tradition of social art that can be led back to the Futurists and the Dadaists.
Together We Change!
Categories: Change the World.
June 15, 2009
A clever new polemic submitted to the Congress for the New Urbanism has earned first place in that organization’s 2009 video contest. Written and produced by the team of First + Main Media and Paget Films, Built to Last posits that the world’s greatest threat is not war, global pestilence, or even the swine flu. No, it is the cul-de-sac.
Okay, so it may not be the cul-de-sac per se, but the filmakers rightfully make use of the ubiquitous 20th century artifact as a primary symbol for what could indeed be the world’s greatest threat: the organization of America’s middle class lifestyle. And while many Americans may continue to have difficulty even with that idea (isn’t America’s lifestyle non-negotiable?), I hope that more of our country’s citizens are tiring of the ongoing media blitz surrounding the seemingly trivial issues of how one can shop ‘green’ to save the planet.
Fortunately, as the above video displays, hundreds of built projects exist and the know-how is fully in place. Thanks to the new urbanists and smart growth advocates, we can now fight global climate change intelligently. However, just like it’s the singular cul-de-sacs in aggregate that create the problem, it will be the singlular policy changes in aggregrate that will provide the solution.
Thus, whether you live on a cul-de-sac or not, please take that message with you. The more educated we become, the more likely we are to participate in the debates that will slowly shift our culture to a more sustainable lifestyle. And as the videographers suggest, we can start by building things that last.
Thanks for the insight Mike!
Mike Lydon is the founding Principal of the Street Plans Collaborative.
Categories: Change the World, Eco-Friendly Design.
June 13, 2009
Connected and Watching
May 21, 2009
We are pleased to be rolling out our findings from our Women & Digital Life research study. The first edition of the study last year received very positive feedback and we decided to launch a follow-up. We designed it to be a one-stop information source for women and digital life: broadband, gaming, online video, social media and wireless. Based on over 2,000 in-depth interviews with women in the U.S. (aged 12 and up), the study captures all key lifestages: singles, couples, moms and empty nesters. And there are special focus reports on Hispanic and African-American women, as well as an upcoming Canadian edition.
We will be rolling out our findings over the next several weeks—first up, evolution of TV viewing in the age of DVRs, video-on-demand and online video.
Categories: Change the World, State Of The Internet.
June 13, 2009
Transmitting America’s Bold Design to Sheet Metal: Peter Horbury
Peter Horbury is intent on transmitting America’s bold spirit to sheet metal.
Taking Vehicle Design to the Next Level
Horbury is responsible for overseeing the design strategy and execution of all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products in North and South America. Specifically, he directs each design team as it evolves exterior designs on the expanding lineup of cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers, as well as taking the brands’ strong interiors to the next level.
Prior to assuming his current role in January 2004, Horbury was the executive director of design for the Premier Auto Group, leading future product design strategy and design processes for Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo. In that role, he helped develop vehicles for individual brands, create cross-brand design philosophies and processes and coordinate auto show design strategies and brand merchandising.
During his 33-year career, Horbury has been involved in the design of more than 50 cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles.
A Luxury Background
Horbury has more than two decades of expertise with luxury vehicles. From 1991 to 2002, he was design director of Volvo Car Corporation, overseeing studios in Sweden, Spain and California. He was instrumental in creating and implementing the stylish new design language in the current range of Volvo products, including the all-new XC90 SUV and award-winning Volvo Safety Concept Car.
Prior to joining Volvo, Horbury worked as director of styling and design at MGA Developments Ltd. in the United Kingdom. In his early career, he worked on key Ford product programs in Europe, such as the Sierra, Escort and Granada, as well as Chrysler vehicles.
Horbury was named Autocar’s Designer of the Year in 1998.
Born in Alnwick, Northumberland, UK, Horbury received his master’s degree in Automotive Design from the Royal College of Art in 1974 and an undergraduate degree from Newcastle-upon-Tyne College of Art and Industrial Design in 1972.
Categories: Change the World.
June 12, 2009
Electric scooters are nice, but a Zero Motorcycle fills the need for speed
I had the chance to take a new Zero S electric motorcycle for a spin yesterday. Zero Motorcycles was in Toronto and I couldn’t let the opportunity pass. The California company launched its Zero S highway-capable motorcycle in the United States earlier this month and is now focusing its attention on its Canadian launch.
You can get the details from my Toronto Star article, but generally, I’ll say I was surprised at the power of this gearless machine. In fact, the torque was so strong it took some getting used to when starting from a stopped position. But seriously, acceleration? Holy crap Batman… this machine goes, like from zero to 100 km/h in less than four seconds (though I’d like to point out to my wife that I didn’t experience this first hand, given the limited space in the parking lot I was in). And very lightweight at just 102 kilograms.
Categories: Cooperative Advertising, Eco-Friendly Design, Intuitive Coaching & Mentoring, Milestones, State Of The Internet.
June 11, 2009
Children are a lifelong responsibility as most of us know. There are, however, those parents that just don’t get it. Let’s face it, kids are great fun, but they are a full time job that never ends. Children require structure, discipline, love, encouragement, security, balance, stability, teaching, support, consistency. There are a whole host of things they need.
One of the most important needs they have is time. It doesn’t matter if they come from single parent homes or dual parent homes. Their needs are still the same and they don’t change. I believe that parents can mold a child’s life in a positive direction regardless of the parental situation. There is no room for selfishness in the role of a parent.
If a child is surrounded with consistant positive influences, attention and encouragement, they have a stronger chance of leading a positive life and growing into productive, capable adults. If they are surrounded with negativity, their chances become slimmer and slimmer to be able to function.
It is my belief that children are our future, and if we expect to have a future, then we must do all we can to ensure that our children will be able to provide a future. If we give up on them, then they will, in turn, give up on us.
Categories: Change the World.
June 10, 2009
Five dream discoveries
Scientists believe that a nap can boost creative thought and help problem-solving. So what major breakthroughs in science and the arts have been made during sleep?
The old adage “I’ll sleep on it” may have some truth in it, after all.
A study by researchers at the University of California San Diego has concluded that problems are more likely to be solved after a period of dreamy (rapid eye movement) sleep.
Scientists believe so-called REM sleep allows the brain to form new nerve connections without the interference of other thought pathways that occur when we are awake or in non-dreamy sleep.
Anecdotal evidence from some key figures in the arts and science suggests there could be some truth in this.
Here are some examples of major discoveries made in dreams.
Categories: Global Shift.
June 9, 2009
Yaro’s Blog Mastermind Site training program has helped me get my Blog up and running. With his detailed assistance offered throughout the course, I learned useful information and tips including specific techniques to help me on my way to bigger and better horizons. His warm and personal style of instruction quickly motivates me to into action.
‘I would suggest this training program to anybody…’
Jeff Pevzner
Montreal, Canada
simpletribes.com
Categories: Change the World.
June 9, 2009
The future of washing clothes according to Electrolux Design Lab 2007
A Hungarian design student called Levente Szabo – apparently, his surname means “tailor”, appropriately – has won the Electrolux Design Lab 2007 competition with this concept washing machine that uses “soap nuts”. The E-wash was a response to the brief to design a product that’s both environmentally sound and commercially viable.
Taking his inspiration from India and Nepal where soap nuts – a.k.a. sapindus mucorussi – have been used successfully for centuries, Szabo designed the E-Wash to reduce the pollution of the washing process and packaging and transportation of detergents. The alternative soap would be great for people with allergies and a kilogram of the nuts would last the average person a whole year. The machine itself was also reduced in size and flattened so that it would fit into a small flat and yet take a large load of clothes.
Designing a washing machine that uses less water isn’t difficult. New machines with the Energy Star label use only 18 — 25 gallons of water per load (compared to 40 gallons per load for the typical machine) and save about 7,000 gallons of water a year. Think about it 7,000 gallons times millions of machines. I’m getting thirsty!
Kudos to Levenye Szabo and hopefully Electrolux!!
Categories: Eco-Friendly Design.
June 4, 2009
Cooperative advertising comes from the the heart. If you are a blogger and you know of a remarkable product or service, post it for free! Everyone feels better…. you’ll see!
Categories: Cooperative Advertising.
June 3, 2009
- Letting go of limiting beliefs that have kept you stuck and uninspired so that you can move forward
- Taking responsibility and action for what you want to create in your life
- Being a meaningful and inspiring leader who positively impacts the lives of others
- Experiencing greater meaning, peace of mind and harmony in your daily life
- Uncovering your essential nature and becoming more of who you already are
- Making exciting life changes and living in alignment with your personal life vision
Categories: Intuitive Coaching & Mentoring.
June 2, 2009
The new paradigm: learning by sharing connected knowledgeTeachers are called to change their attitude to ICT, which should not be considered a tool but be integrated into their teaching. Michael Young, the founder of the UK Open University, saw teachers as educational companions who accompany students on part of their learning through life. The stress is less on the content of learning than on the learning process itself, which must teach young people to become expert learners. The final target is learning to learn and the quality of the learning process is more important than the quantity of knowledge imparted.
FROM INFORMATION TO KNOWLEDGE
“We are living in a Knowledge society, in which connectivity allows us to access all kind of information at unprecedented speed and in multiple format” (Michelle Selinger – Executive Advisor Education – Cisco Systems)
Connectivity is our present and our future: young people know that and are used to living in a digital, web-based world in which they are constantly in contact with other people and communicating via emails, SMS text messaging, chats, etc. They are also naturally multitasking and able to write an email while watching TV, listening to music, etc.
However, the way we get information raises several issues concerning its quantity and quality.
We are being overloaded with an incredible amount of information, from which it seems difficult to select what we are looking for. Besides, not always can we immediately assess the value of the information we get. Young people in particular tend to move from one screen to another, whether it is a TV screen to a PC screen, without making great distinction between them: at the same time the differences between virtual reality and non-virtual reality seem to be less definite, the boundaries between fiction or game and reality are less clear, so that it may become nearly impossible to separate them.
In this scenario the main task of school is to teach learners to:
• locate relevant information and judge the credibility of sources,
• become experts learners,
• learn how to think critically.
Categories: The New paradigm, Uncategorized.
June 1, 2009
Toward a Global Shift:
Seeding the Field of Collective Change
The time is now, to join together in community, to share our dreams, celebrate and take action — co-creating a new vision for our shared future.
Categories: Global Shift.
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