via pinterest.com
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
You Can Say That Again: Twitter Commits Social Suicide - Forbes
You can’t service all of humanity if you allow the needs of politics to triumph over the needs of the people. And if you can’t service all of humanity, what is your relevance?
via forbes.com
pretty darn powerful...
President Obama Addresses Higher Education
These are my takeaways from today's address at the Al Glick Field House, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I've tried to indicate when something is what was said verbatim vs what I think I heard...without opinion.
Say what you want about the politics, this man can deliver a speech!
---
the presidential seal is now been placed on the podium
Sent at 9:41 AM on Friday
U2 - Oh YOU look so beautiful tonight...
white house press corps now entering
Sent at 9:44 AM on Friday
you can almost feel the energy in the Al Glick Field House
Sent at 9:47 AM on Friday
Sen. Carl Levin in the hizzy
Sent at 9:52 AM on Friday
Uh-Oh...they've started to recycle the background music!!!!!
Sent at 9:57 AM on Friday
Christina Beckman, sophomore introducing the President
Here he is! Sleeves are rolled up!
Sent at 10:00 AM on Friday
"I love you back!"
"Where's Denard? I hear you're coming back, man?"
Sent at 10:02 AM on Friday
"College is the single most important investment you can make in your future, and I'm proud of you."
Sent at 10:05 AM on Friday
"Michigan's all about making stuff. If there's anybody who can teach us something about manufacturing, it's the great state of Michigan."
Sent at 10:07 AM on Friday
"...double down on a clean energy industry that's incredible promising..."
Sent at 10:12 AM on Friday
"...everyone to have access to a world class education just like the one you are receiving here at Michigan."
"I am only here today because grants and student loans gave me the opportunity to get a better education."
Sent at 10:13 AM on Friday
about increasing student aid...taxpayer subsidies to banks who issue loans to the students who need them
repayment should be no more than 10% of your increasing
if congress doesn't act...student loan interest rates will DOUBLE!
congress needs to extend tuition tax credit
Sent at 10:19 AM on Friday
congress needs to double the number of work study jobs in the next X years
"We're putting colleges on notice, you can't just jack up tuition every year...we should hold them accountable"
Sent at 10:21 AM on Friday
More federal funding to schools who are making sure that you all (students) don't leave here with too much debt.
Sent at 10:23 AM on Friday
Does it make sense that millionaires have a lower tax rate than their secretaries?
>$1M should be 30% tax rate
<$250K your taxes shouldn't go up
Sent at 10:28 AM on Friday
we're successful because somebody spent money to build roads, military, etc
"We've got a different idea of America, a more generous America"
"Now it's our turn to be responsible."
"You embody that sense of possibility that is quintessentially of America"
Sent at 10:33 AM on Friday
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Mightier than the Sword: Ore
via pinterest.com
I believe that today, more than ever, a book should be sought after even if it has only one great page in it. We must search for fragments, splinters, toenails, anything that has ore in it, anything that is capable of resuscitating the body and the soul.
- Henry Miller
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Docking Bay 94: Star Wars Uncut: Director's Cut - YouTube
via youtube.com
What a tribute! Star Wars is transformational. Here's the whole Star Wars IV: A New Hope created by adoring fans in 15 minute increments using whatever medium they choose. I'm inspired, offended, amused, horrified and giddy.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Hello: A Love Letter from Viral Video
via vimeo.com
My guess is that most people will watch this and say, "Oh that's clever; splicing together frames of a movie to make a song." And, yes, that is very clever.
But it's much, much more than that, you see. Whomever put this together has triggered something in my brain. Yes; sometimes I feel very strongly about movies.
When some of the clips pass over my beady little pixelated eyes, there's recognition. There's warmth and remembrance, maybe. Where I was when I saw it. Who I saw it with. The part in the film later that made me say, "No way!" Each within seconds and microblinks.
Then the lyrics...OH! the lyrics kick in...
I've been alone with you inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door
Hello, is it me you're looking for?
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted, (and) my arms are open wide
'Cause you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much, I love you.
Is my heart beating in unison with the meaning. I LOVE YOU, FILM! I LOVE YOOOOOOUUUUUU!
Not nearly as much as I love my wife and children, but still...And then I wonder about the last moment of my life.
When my life flashes before my eyes, what will the snippets of remembrance sing to me? The first steps of my children. Kissing my bride. The tension of a baby on the way to NICU? The clash of emotions? The splendor of worship?
How will they be tied together? And will they recite to me "I want to tell you so much..."
Monday, January 16, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
From The Belfry: Wee Winged Creatures
These little guys must be fighting crime with cuteness—and I’ll bet it’s a pretty effective strategy. Finished products aren’t available for sale, but you can purchase a pattern for only $5.95.Check out the Robin version after the break.
I think it's the masks that do me in...
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sonstructions: Creativity
“When you don’t create things, you become defined by your tastes rather than ability. Your tastes only narrow and exclude people. So create”
via quotevadis.com
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Dieter Rams: ten principles for good design
Back in the early 1980s, Dieter Rams was becoming increasingly concerned by the state of the world around him – “an impenetrable confusion of forms, colours and noises.” Aware that he was a significant contributor to that world, he asked himself an important question: is my design good design?
As good design cannot be measured in a finite way he set about expressing the ten most important principles for what he considered was good design. (Sometimes they are referred as the ‘Ten commandments’.)
Here they are.
Vitsœ’s designer, Dieter Rams.
Photograph by Abisag TüllmannGood design is innovative
The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.
TP 1 radio/phono combination, 1959, by Dieter Rams for Braun
Good design makes a product useful
A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasises the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
MPZ 21 multipress citrus juicer, 1972, by Dieter Rams and Jürgen Greubel for Braun
Good design is aesthetic
The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products we use every day affect our person and our well-being. But only well-executed objects can be beautiful.
RT 20 tischsuper radio, 1961, by Dieter Rams for Braun
Good design makes a product understandable
It clarifies the product’s structure. Better still, it can make the product talk. At best, it is self-explanatory.
T 1000 world receiver, 1963, by Dieter Rams for Braun
Good design is unobtrusive
Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression.
Cylindric T 2 lighter, 1968, by Dieter Rams for Braun
Good design is honest
It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.
L 450 flat loudspeaker, TG 60 reel-to-reel tape recorder and TS 45 control unit, 1962-64, by Dieter Rams for Braun
Good design is long-lasting
It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years – even in today’s throwaway society.
620 Chair Programme, 1962, by Dieter Rams for Vitsœ
Things which are different in order simply to be different are seldom better, but that which is made to be better is almost always different.Dieter Rams, 1993
My goal is to omit everything superfluous so that the essential is shown to best possible advantage.Dieter Rams, 1980
Good design is thorough, down to the last detail
Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.
ET 66 calculator, 1987, by Dietrich Lubs for Braun
Good design is environmentally-friendly
Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimises physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.
606 Universal Shelving System, 1960, by Dieter Rams for Vitsœ
Good design is as little design as possible
Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials.
Back to purity, back to simplicity.
L 2 speaker, 1958, by Dieter Rams for Braun
via vitsoe.com
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Mightier than the Sword: Faulkner’s mint julep cup.
via pinterest.com
Fauilkner's favorite cocktail was the mint julep. Faulkner would make one by mixing whiskey–preferably bourbon–with one teaspoon of sugar, a sprig or two of crushed mint, and ice. He liked to drink his mint julep in a frosty metal cup.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Sonstructions: How To Be More Interesting (In 10 Simple Steps)
1.Go exploring.
Explore ideas, places, and opinions. The inside of the echo chamber is where are all the boring people hang out.
2. Share what you discover.
And be generous when you do. Not everybody went exploring with you. Let them live vicariously through your adventures.
3. Do something. Anything.
Dance. Talk. Build. Network. Play. Help. Create. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you’re doing it. Sitting around and complaining is not an acceptable form of ‘something,’ in case you were wondering.
4. Embrace your innate weirdness.
No one is normal. Everyone has quirks and insights unique to themselves. Don’t hide these things—they are what make you interesting.
5. Have a cause.
If you don’t give a damn about anything, no one will give a damn about you.
6. Minimize the swagger.
Egos get in the way of ideas. If your arrogance is more obvious than your expertise, you are someone other people avoid.
7. Give it a shot.
Try it out. Play around with a new idea. Do something strange. If you never leave your comfort zone, you won’t grow.
8. Hop off the bandwagon.
If everyone else is doing it, you’re already late to the party. Do your own thing, and others will hop onto the spiffy wagon you built yourself. Besides, it’s more fun to drive than it is to get pulled around.
9. Grow a pair.
Bravery is needed to have contrary opinions and to take unexpected paths. If you’re not courageous, you’re going to be hanging around the water cooler, talking about the guy who actually is.
10. Ignore the scolds.
Boring is safe, and you will be told to behave yourself. The scolds could have, would have, should have. But they didn’t. And they resent you for your adventures.
via forbes.com
a MUST read
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
When Prudence Lands on the Side of Your #Beard
Dear Prudence,
I have what seems to be a petty problem, but it's really becoming an issue in my marriage. My husband and I have been together for almost 20 years and have three kids. We are well-educated, have satisfying jobs, and still enjoy each other's company, with one exception. He has recently grown a beard. In years past he has occasionally had a beard for a short while, and each time after a few weeks he's gotten rid of it, to my relief. I hate it. I don't find it attractive, and more importantly I hate the way it feels on my skin when we kiss or do anything more intimate. This time, he's refusing to shave and has made this beard into a "love me, love my beard" situation. I finally told him not to even try to kiss me until he shaves. This led to a huge fight, and we're barely speaking. I can't help the way his beard physically makes me feel! Help!—Close Shave
Dear Close,
Where are those crazed Amish beard cutters when you need them? It makes no sense that you and your husband are both bristling with indignation and your marriage is on a razor’s edge over some facial hair. I don’t hate beards, but generally I prefer the clean-shaven look. My husband has had a beard all his adult life. When we were dating I once asked, “So, have you ever considered shaving off your beard?” He answered, “No,” and that was the end of that discussion. Partners should be sensitive to the visual and tactile effect they have on each other. But one spouse is entitled to make a reasonable style choice that doesn’t fill the other with joy. Your “It’s me or the whiskers” approach is not working, so you should do an about-face. Apologize for escalating this disagreement, then say something like, “I can’t exactly say your beard is growing on me, but since it is growing on you, and I love you, I’m going to try to love it.” As a favor, ask that your husband get his beard professionally trimmed occasionally and that he wash it with a good quality shampoo and conditioner. All that may soften his rough edges and get you to again enjoy being close.—Prudie
via slate.com
I have been blessed with a wife that demands facial hair, admires a beard, and tolerates its whimsy, but, men (and, lets be honest, some women) I don't think our beards should be the breaking point of any relationship. So let's remember these words probably are for us, too, when our significant others go through the phase of European bohemia and shave nothing.
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