I stumbled upon a project called the Charter for Compassion that was envisioned by Karen Armstrong who is a religious scholar focusing a lot on comparative religion. Having grown up in a Christian environment when I was young and then living for a number of years outside the country, I could empathize with Armstrong’s own epiphany after first visiting Jerusalem after having gone through training as a nun. Perspectives are reshaped when you are made physically aware how big and different the world actually is.
Overall, the concept of the Charter is quite simple: don’t do unto others what you wouldn’t want done unto you (or do unto others as you would have them do unto you – it’s been phrased both ways). Usually we call it the golden rule.
But to be honest, I like word compassion. Just hearing the word made we feel like there were possibilities. Kind of hope and change rolled into one. Enjoy!
Filed under: religion, social movements | Leave a Comment
A friend recently traveled to Biosphere 2 just north of Tucson, Arizona, so these images especially caught my eye (more images after link). I remember in the mid-1990’s when the Biospherians were put into Biosphere 2. Sealed off to fend for their own, I think most people, and the media from what I can fuzzily recall, thought the whole thing a bit over the top. Of course with concrete being the main culprit of deprived oxygen conditions there were lots of reasons to chuckle.
But now with missions to Mars and a renewed interest in space, it seems that over the top was nothing more than real vision. Some interesting information on the Biosphere 2 website and an interesting talk by Jane Poynter about her 2 years and 20 minutes on the inside where she talks about implications for a new lunar project.
Filed under: Earth, ecosystems, space | Leave a Comment
The Mantis Human Powered Vehicle is actually targeting kids, but I wouldn’t mind cruising this around town. My only addition would be to change the pedal stroke to make it more like a stairclimber. You’d get the benefits of walking combined with the speed and distance potential of a bike (not to mention avoiding complete boredom in the gym).
Filed under: design, industrial design, kids | Leave a Comment
Education gone wild
Thanks to Bill at Akoio for pointing out this interesting Fast Company information graphic on education. The most interesting thing I found was use of time: 10 hours per week partying, 8 hours per week studying, and 9 hours per day engaged with media/technology. Kind of interesting to move the numbers around:
1. 10 hrs/pw partying + 8 hrs/pw studying + 9 hrs/pd talking, watching, twittering, FBing, etc.
2. 9 hrs/pd partying + 10 hrs/pw studying + 8 hrs/pw talking, watching, twittering, FBing, etc.
3. 8 hrs/pw partying + 9 hrs/pd studying + 10 hrs/pw talking, watching, twittering FBing, etc.
Filed under: data visualization, education | Leave a Comment
I spent some time with this past holiday with a niece and nephew that liked to play only a little more than me: they were 4 and 6. The first thing they said when they saw me pull out my MB was, “Can we play windosill.com?” Window what? Turns out it’s a very fun interactive (and slightly addictive) game with no words or instructions. The goal is to simply figure it out. Which is probably why the adults were saying “3 bucks to unlock the rest of the game!” and the kids were almost in tears when the answer was no (okay, I was probably in the second group). See for yourself.
Filed under: games, graphic design, interface | Leave a Comment
Tags: interface design
I♥Yu Naked
Japanese bath meets fun and kitsch in Naoshima. With a supposed aircraft cockpit, the bottom of a ship and even a small elephant statue from an erotic museum, a fun take no doubt. Check out their great website and shop, too.
Filed under: design, fun, interior design, japan | Leave a Comment
Desktop publishing
I recently came across these photos by joseph o. holmes again. A delightful confirmation of human diversity. I can’t help wondering how applying design to some of the workspaces might change things for the better.
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Hands behind your head
It’s not new that Stanley Donwood (Dan Rickwood), Mel Maxwell & Xian Munro won the 2009 Grammy for Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package for Radiohead’s In Rainbows, but I came across this nice shot and interview (video and more images after link). Nice to see how the illustration and music is so intertwined.
Filed under: UK, design, designers, graphic design, music | Leave a Comment
2010 + 365 = (^_^)
The Japan Graphic Designers Association Inc. (JAGDA) and Heidelberg Japan K. K. created the “(^_^)365(O_O)” (Hello 365) tear-off calendar for 2010. Each sheet is designed by 365 graphic designers who are active throughout the country. Hoshii!
Filed under: design, graphic design, i want, japan | Leave a Comment
Sagmeister bares it all again
One of my favorite designers and teachers, Stefan Sagmeister, speaks with Debbie Millman about his approach to work and new project on happiness. Someone I never stop learning from. Some of his books are available in the CA // bookstore. See some more of Stefan at TED.
Filed under: designers, happiness, podcast | Leave a Comment
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