André Benjamin (a.k.a. André 3000) line called "Benjamin Bixby" comes out Fall 08. Sweeeet! NY Mag article here
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Entry #179: Benjamin Bixby
André Benjamin (a.k.a. André 3000) line called "Benjamin Bixby" comes out Fall 08. Sweeeet! NY Mag article here
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Entry #177: Ten Commandments, for the Modern Day or the ethics of genetic engineering
From this week's Genome Biology on how to deal with genetic information:
1. All races are created equal
No genetic data has ever shown that one group of people is inherently superior to another. Equality is a moral value central to the idea of human rights; discrimination against any group should never be tolerated.
2. An Argentinian and an Australian are more likely to have differences in their DNA than two Argentinians
Groups of human beings have moved around throughout history. Those that share the same culture, language or location tend to have different genetic variations than other groups. This is becoming less true, though, as populations mix.
3. A person's history isn't written only in his or her genes
Everyone's genetic material carries a useful, though incomplete, map of his or her ancestors' travels. Studies looking for health disparities between individuals shouldn't rely solely on this identity. They should also consider a person's cultural background.
4: Members of the same race may have different underlying genetics
Social definitions of what it means to be "Hispanic" or "black" have changed over time. People who claim the same race may actually have very different genetic histories.
5. Both nature and nurture play important parts in our behaviors and abilities
Trying to use genetic differences between groups to show differences in intelligence, violent behaviors or the ability to throw a ball is an oversimplification of much more complicated interactions between genetics and environment.
6. Researchers should be careful about using racial groups when designing experiments
When scientists decide to divide their subjects into groups based on ethnicity, they need to be clear about why and how these divisions are made to avoid contributing to stereotypes.
7. Medicine should focus on the individual, not the race
Although some diseases are connected to genetic markers, these markers tend to be found in many different racial groups. Overemphasising genetics may promote racist views or focus attention on a group when it should be on the individual.
8. The study of genetics requires cooperation between experts in many different fields
Human disease is the product of a mishmash of factors: genetic, cultural, economic and behavioral. Interdisciplinary efforts that involve the social sciences are more likely to be successful.
9. Oversimplified science feeds popular misconceptions
Policy makers should be careful about simplifying and politicising scientific data. When presenting science to the public, the media should address the limitations of race-related research.
10. Genetics 101 should include a history of racism
Any high school or college student learning about genetics should also learn about misguided attempts in the past to use science to justify racism. New textbooks should be developed for this purpose.
Journal reference: Genome Biology (online, full text available here w/ abstract and everythang).
Above is an image from Hitler's foray into his ideal race.
Interesting paper (note: PDF) on Race Cleansing in America.
1. All races are created equal
No genetic data has ever shown that one group of people is inherently superior to another. Equality is a moral value central to the idea of human rights; discrimination against any group should never be tolerated.
2. An Argentinian and an Australian are more likely to have differences in their DNA than two Argentinians
Groups of human beings have moved around throughout history. Those that share the same culture, language or location tend to have different genetic variations than other groups. This is becoming less true, though, as populations mix.
3. A person's history isn't written only in his or her genes
Everyone's genetic material carries a useful, though incomplete, map of his or her ancestors' travels. Studies looking for health disparities between individuals shouldn't rely solely on this identity. They should also consider a person's cultural background.
4: Members of the same race may have different underlying genetics
Social definitions of what it means to be "Hispanic" or "black" have changed over time. People who claim the same race may actually have very different genetic histories.
5. Both nature and nurture play important parts in our behaviors and abilities
Trying to use genetic differences between groups to show differences in intelligence, violent behaviors or the ability to throw a ball is an oversimplification of much more complicated interactions between genetics and environment.
6. Researchers should be careful about using racial groups when designing experiments
When scientists decide to divide their subjects into groups based on ethnicity, they need to be clear about why and how these divisions are made to avoid contributing to stereotypes.
7. Medicine should focus on the individual, not the race
Although some diseases are connected to genetic markers, these markers tend to be found in many different racial groups. Overemphasising genetics may promote racist views or focus attention on a group when it should be on the individual.
8. The study of genetics requires cooperation between experts in many different fields
Human disease is the product of a mishmash of factors: genetic, cultural, economic and behavioral. Interdisciplinary efforts that involve the social sciences are more likely to be successful.
9. Oversimplified science feeds popular misconceptions
Policy makers should be careful about simplifying and politicising scientific data. When presenting science to the public, the media should address the limitations of race-related research.
10. Genetics 101 should include a history of racism
Any high school or college student learning about genetics should also learn about misguided attempts in the past to use science to justify racism. New textbooks should be developed for this purpose.
Journal reference: Genome Biology (online, full text available here w/ abstract and everythang).
Above is an image from Hitler's foray into his ideal race.
Interesting paper (note: PDF) on Race Cleansing in America.
Entry #176: Oil & Urban Sprawl
The origin of nearly every city in the Southern California area is result of petroleum discovery.
A brief history
The glitz and glamour that seem to define Los Angeles, Hollywood, and its beach cities find its roots in the discovery of oil in Los Angeles in 1892. This lead to the discovery of other fields in the basin—and by 1923, one out of every 5 barrel of oil produced in the United States was from the Los Angeles area, making it the most productive oil producer in the United States.
The population increased significantly—doubling between 1890 and 1900, and then tripling between 1900 and 1910. Each oil field discovery lead to a population boom which formed a city, and others around it. This includes Huntington Beach in 1920, Santa Fe Springs in 1921, and the biggest of them all, Signal Hill/Long Beach oil field, also in 1921.
Oil money financed the real estate development of nearby areas and, once gas powered cars were engineered, oil men became even richer. Oil money was used to encourage the building of the roads and highways as cars were now affordable, cheap, and a reliable form of transportation.
The film industry was financed by oil money and family dynasties resulted from oil:
The Ghettys, the Dohenys and Alphonzo Bell all became rich from their discovery of oil. They also became real estate developers, creating wealthy enclaves such as Bel-Air for themselves and other rich oil men.
Even palm trees became more abundant in California because of a proposition that voters made law which required oil companies to plant palm trees around Southern California.
Below are some images of the heyday of oil in Southern California:
Oil derricks in Belmont Shores, Long Beach.
Oil derricks in downtown Los Angeles, First Street.
Oil derricks in Signal Hill, Long Beach. Signal Hill was the richest city in the world during the boom of the 1920s.
Modern day oil derricks off of Long Beach are disguised.
More disguised oil derricks in Long Beach. Notice the palm trees.
A brief history
The glitz and glamour that seem to define Los Angeles, Hollywood, and its beach cities find its roots in the discovery of oil in Los Angeles in 1892. This lead to the discovery of other fields in the basin—and by 1923, one out of every 5 barrel of oil produced in the United States was from the Los Angeles area, making it the most productive oil producer in the United States.
The population increased significantly—doubling between 1890 and 1900, and then tripling between 1900 and 1910. Each oil field discovery lead to a population boom which formed a city, and others around it. This includes Huntington Beach in 1920, Santa Fe Springs in 1921, and the biggest of them all, Signal Hill/Long Beach oil field, also in 1921.
Oil money financed the real estate development of nearby areas and, once gas powered cars were engineered, oil men became even richer. Oil money was used to encourage the building of the roads and highways as cars were now affordable, cheap, and a reliable form of transportation.
The film industry was financed by oil money and family dynasties resulted from oil:
The Ghettys, the Dohenys and Alphonzo Bell all became rich from their discovery of oil. They also became real estate developers, creating wealthy enclaves such as Bel-Air for themselves and other rich oil men.
Even palm trees became more abundant in California because of a proposition that voters made law which required oil companies to plant palm trees around Southern California.
Below are some images of the heyday of oil in Southern California:
Oil derricks in Belmont Shores, Long Beach.
Oil derricks in downtown Los Angeles, First Street.
Oil derricks in Signal Hill, Long Beach. Signal Hill was the richest city in the world during the boom of the 1920s.
Modern day oil derricks off of Long Beach are disguised.
More disguised oil derricks in Long Beach. Notice the palm trees.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Entry #175: The Intelligent Life, Aging Gracefully
I mean,
the title is slightly egotistical. But The Intelligent Life is a lifestyle magazine put out by The Economist.
Breathe.
I was floored when I discovered they even had a lifestyle magazine and spent hours reading. I like the pictures and some of the articles are interesting.
From a response to Lori Gottlieb's Atlantic op-ed "Marry Him!"
But the series that won me over = "Bright Old Things"
LEO ABSE, 91
Life, he says, is inevitably tragic, because we are born to die. "If you want to live a long time, love and be loved. I married two women who loved me. And you can continue living productively if you follow the rule of the Roman stoics--carpe diem. Don't live expectantly, live for the day."
DIANA ATHILL, 90+
There's no point in worrying about the future because there's nothing to be done about it. "As Shakespeare says, ‘The coward dies many times before his death.'
Betty Stevens, 90
We shouldn't expect to be happy in old age, she says: contentment is enough. "I have an absurd sense of the ridiculous--I see life in a series of cartoons..."
Brian Power, 90
Ageing, he says, takes one by surprise. "There's no point at which I say I am old. I've always believed in relativity: you can feel incredibly old one moment, middle-aged in the afternoon, young again at tea-time to the point of being skittish, and then very old by 11..."
the title is slightly egotistical. But The Intelligent Life is a lifestyle magazine put out by The Economist.
Breathe.
I was floored when I discovered they even had a lifestyle magazine and spent hours reading. I like the pictures and some of the articles are interesting.
From a response to Lori Gottlieb's Atlantic op-ed "Marry Him!"
But the series that won me over = "Bright Old Things"
LEO ABSE, 91
Life, he says, is inevitably tragic, because we are born to die. "If you want to live a long time, love and be loved. I married two women who loved me. And you can continue living productively if you follow the rule of the Roman stoics--carpe diem. Don't live expectantly, live for the day."
DIANA ATHILL, 90+
There's no point in worrying about the future because there's nothing to be done about it. "As Shakespeare says, ‘The coward dies many times before his death.'
Betty Stevens, 90
We shouldn't expect to be happy in old age, she says: contentment is enough. "I have an absurd sense of the ridiculous--I see life in a series of cartoons..."
Brian Power, 90
Ageing, he says, takes one by surprise. "There's no point at which I say I am old. I've always believed in relativity: you can feel incredibly old one moment, middle-aged in the afternoon, young again at tea-time to the point of being skittish, and then very old by 11..."
Entry #174: LIAR
I am obsessed with the scientific study of the human mind, so when HE MENTIONED that someone wrote an op-ed on this, I went online in anticipation...
The op-ed entitled "The Luxurious Growth" appeared in the New York Times yesterday. In it, editor David Brooks writes that science has been slow to connect A to Z. This is because there are factors including B, C, D... Y.
This stuff was written about years ago by Matt Ridley in the book, "Nature Via Nurture: Genes, Experience, and what Makes Us Human." BOO. I thought it would be well thought out w/ new arguments n stufffffz!!
The op-ed entitled "The Luxurious Growth" appeared in the New York Times yesterday. In it, editor David Brooks writes that science has been slow to connect A to Z. This is because there are factors including B, C, D... Y.
This stuff was written about years ago by Matt Ridley in the book, "Nature Via Nurture: Genes, Experience, and what Makes Us Human." BOO. I thought it would be well thought out w/ new arguments n stufffffz!!
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Entry #173: Topoanalysis vs Oeniric
“Phenomenology” vs “Hermeneutics”
I love airports (still!) and
passion simmers in cadence.
I love airports (still!) and
passion simmers in cadence.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Entry #172: Transformation
The wind at dawn shakes trees bare and brings smells of salty ocean.
A woman and her dog step out onto the front yard. The dog yelps with excitement.
A cool breeze passes.
She is staring at her car, wanting so much to drive into the night, over the hill and across state lines. And then she will pull over and rest, only to drive again until she sees the view of a foreign city.
It would be a city that held in its possession every single one of her much beloved furniture that she had to throw out over the years. And, the library would be shelved with books that she had lost, and books she wanted to read, but never got around to. Her neighbors would be old friends- how she remembered them best. They would hug each other after being so distant and they would marvel at how great it felt to be together again.
Her memory, which was once so broken and hazy, is now lucid and solid. She feels its weight and the barren trees are now full of leaves, with faces of former lovers and friends poking out. Some are staring with sadness and accusations, while others have moved on. And still, there are the blank faces.
She stands feeling naked and cold, like the simple drawing of a woman's figurine in all that white space.
The dog, recognizing the state of her owner, says; let's go find a really Good Man, who will take care of the garden and will remember where you left your keys. He will buy you your favorite Mexican candy from the liquor store and will also remember your love for old leather and the Ballet.
Let's go inside, she said.
How is it that she can want such newness in her life and nothing at all?
She walks into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator door. Her husband walks in and she is still standing there, staring at its contents as if though somewhere inside, there was a map to that foreign city.
A woman and her dog step out onto the front yard. The dog yelps with excitement.
A cool breeze passes.
She is staring at her car, wanting so much to drive into the night, over the hill and across state lines. And then she will pull over and rest, only to drive again until she sees the view of a foreign city.
It would be a city that held in its possession every single one of her much beloved furniture that she had to throw out over the years. And, the library would be shelved with books that she had lost, and books she wanted to read, but never got around to. Her neighbors would be old friends- how she remembered them best. They would hug each other after being so distant and they would marvel at how great it felt to be together again.
Her memory, which was once so broken and hazy, is now lucid and solid. She feels its weight and the barren trees are now full of leaves, with faces of former lovers and friends poking out. Some are staring with sadness and accusations, while others have moved on. And still, there are the blank faces.
She stands feeling naked and cold, like the simple drawing of a woman's figurine in all that white space.
The dog, recognizing the state of her owner, says; let's go find a really Good Man, who will take care of the garden and will remember where you left your keys. He will buy you your favorite Mexican candy from the liquor store and will also remember your love for old leather and the Ballet.
Let's go inside, she said.
How is it that she can want such newness in her life and nothing at all?
She walks into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator door. Her husband walks in and she is still standing there, staring at its contents as if though somewhere inside, there was a map to that foreign city.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Entry #170: The Unrealized Gehry Building?
Below is a conceptual model of the proposed Art Center building, as designed by Frank Gehry for a cool 9 million. Cost is projected at 20 million. The current milieu at Art Center makes this nearly impossible.
Dreams do die. hard.
It looks too messy and boxy as well as blocky and disordered. I get a sense of panic from it. Is this what they are going for? Get that project done kid! Or is the Gehry name suppose to remove the casual observer's sense of agitation?
Also, where will students gather and where is the sense of community and camaraderie that is so vital at any educational institution? I guess you can project movies on the boards to the side, but again, too much agitation to really pull it off. I'm totally over this guy.
LA Times article about Art Center's PR problem.
The petition
Dreams do die. hard.
It looks too messy and boxy as well as blocky and disordered. I get a sense of panic from it. Is this what they are going for? Get that project done kid! Or is the Gehry name suppose to remove the casual observer's sense of agitation?
Also, where will students gather and where is the sense of community and camaraderie that is so vital at any educational institution? I guess you can project movies on the boards to the side, but again, too much agitation to really pull it off. I'm totally over this guy.
LA Times article about Art Center's PR problem.
The petition
Friday, June 06, 2008
Entry #169: Enter Dwell for Design 08 Exhibition for FREE!
This morning's sun managed to break through before 6am. Promise of a good weekend to come?
Dwell on Design 08 is happening in downtown LA and it should be a rad show! Dwell has reached their ticket sales goal for the Dwell on Design Exhibition, and has now extended their coupon code offer for a free Exhibition ticket to anyone that has not already purchased a ticket to this fantastic event. BDODEC is the code that you need. And the link is here. Tell them that Design Nature sent yooooou :)
Dwell on Design '08
June 5 - 8, 2008
Los Angeles Convention Center
And HERE you will find the show guide, which will not be printed this year, in a nod towards conservation, sustainability, and saving money. These things fit together like pinky swears between best friends?
Dwell on Design 08 is happening in downtown LA and it should be a rad show! Dwell has reached their ticket sales goal for the Dwell on Design Exhibition, and has now extended their coupon code offer for a free Exhibition ticket to anyone that has not already purchased a ticket to this fantastic event. BDODEC is the code that you need. And the link is here. Tell them that Design Nature sent yooooou :)
Dwell on Design '08
June 5 - 8, 2008
Los Angeles Convention Center
And HERE you will find the show guide, which will not be printed this year, in a nod towards conservation, sustainability, and saving money. These things fit together like pinky swears between best friends?
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Entry #168: You Didn't Hear it From Me
June 4, 2008: AAMA proposes their own LEED version. It is AAMA's intent to have a more comprehensive program for Green product definition and credibility.
Goes all the way down to the actual product and code designation (something that LEED sorely lacks).
!!
Goes all the way down to the actual product and code designation (something that LEED sorely lacks).
!!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Entry #167: EEG & brain artifacts.
Microsoft patent
Filed: February 7, 2006
Notable from the above link:
"The EEG signals contain data and patterns of data associated with brain states, which can be used to infer the existence of thought processes. A problem with cognitive techniques is that EEG signals often contain artifacts, i.e., unwanted data, that may distort the brain state information. In the past, attempts have been made to overcome artifacts or "noise problems" by filtering EEG signals and by using neurofeedback. "
And here we have the beginnings of a Brave New World
Notable from the above link:
"By balancing and optimizing your brain you can train your brain to accomplish what it is you desire; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. With Brain State ConditioningTM you can overcome personal issues quickly and easily, and experience positive life changes in a matter of weeks."
Why this (the patent) is interesting and the implications that can arise:
This deals directly with the mind/body relationship. There are generally three theories about the mind/body- feelings and perceptions. The first is that feelings and perceptions are byproducts and spontaneous side effect of neural networks-- i.e. connectivism. Another is that there is a mental code on the orgin of the mind the same way that there is a genetic code for the origin of life. The third is something I forget but it's based on computations and is more similar to the first in that the mind is considered a spontaneous process.
Spontaneous processes cannot have rules of its own which makes it harder to study and it also means that the mind is not autonomous.
The mind as its own set of codes however implies that the mind is not dictated by chemicals and physical chemistry AND that the mind can have epigenetic properties! Thus there can be rules and additions that changes features and landscapes.
Eeeek! I wish I could just sit, read, and think about these lofty things all ze time.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Entry #166, Knitta PLEASE!
Graffiti Knitting - or the wrapping of public objects in hand knit mufflers. Traffic signs, plumbing pipes, statues, door handles, lightpoles – no object of reasonable circumference is off limits. It is as if they were warming the cold modern world with colorful mufflers and mittens. In this month’s Statement we thought we would introduce you to two different groups of anonymous graffiti knitters.
Knitta is considered the original graffiti knitting crew. Founded in 2005 in Houston, Texas, their first tag was the door handle of a clothing and accessory boutique that one of them owned. Since then they have expanded their horizons to tagging other cities, and knitting sprees have ensued in El Salvador, Paris, New York City and the Great Wall of China. Even the Museum of Modern Art has begun collecting their pieces. Taking their clues from hip-hop culture, each anonymous member is known by a pseudonym: AKrylik and PolyCotN were the founders and other members include Purl Nekklas, P-Knitty, The Knotorious N.I.T., and MascuKnitity. The group has had 5 female members and one male, aged 21 to 73 and it is estimated that there are as many as twelve copycat crews in the world. The most proficient of which is Masquerade.
More at KNITTAPLEASE!
Knitta is considered the original graffiti knitting crew. Founded in 2005 in Houston, Texas, their first tag was the door handle of a clothing and accessory boutique that one of them owned. Since then they have expanded their horizons to tagging other cities, and knitting sprees have ensued in El Salvador, Paris, New York City and the Great Wall of China. Even the Museum of Modern Art has begun collecting their pieces. Taking their clues from hip-hop culture, each anonymous member is known by a pseudonym: AKrylik and PolyCotN were the founders and other members include Purl Nekklas, P-Knitty, The Knotorious N.I.T., and MascuKnitity. The group has had 5 female members and one male, aged 21 to 73 and it is estimated that there are as many as twelve copycat crews in the world. The most proficient of which is Masquerade.
More at KNITTAPLEASE!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Entry #165: Moleskine notes
I went to Tokyo and took notes galore. I like their architecture, patterns, and cuts.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Entry #164: Brain Science
Memory Exercise #2:
"My memory isn't that great anymore."
"There are two things at work here. Your brain worked hard to block out A. Unfortunately, it is not so great at being selective, so gone also is B,C, and D. Another reason is that you haven't been sleeping."
Images by Simon
"My memory isn't that great anymore."
"There are two things at work here. Your brain worked hard to block out A. Unfortunately, it is not so great at being selective, so gone also is B,C, and D. Another reason is that you haven't been sleeping."
Images by Simon
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Entry #163: Writer's Block
¿Nunca se han cansado de pensar? (But even in all that thinking, I couldn't FORM).
Painting by Melissa
Painting by Melissa
Monday, April 07, 2008
Entry #162: Upper Echelon
"Baby boomers are aging. Two bottles of wine a night is over for most of us, but a nice bottle of water or a nice glass gives us something to talk about and to learn about. Water provides topics for conversations and explorations in an epicurian content." -Michael Mascha
water sommelier- wtf! Fine Waters: A Connoisseur's Guide to the World's Most Distinctive Bottled Waters reviews 100 different brands of WATER.
Water? As in two hydros n oxy with a bent shape of 107.5 degrees??!
Urhm...you are the designated driver?
(sucka!!)
water sommelier- wtf! Fine Waters: A Connoisseur's Guide to the World's Most Distinctive Bottled Waters reviews 100 different brands of WATER.
Water? As in two hydros n oxy with a bent shape of 107.5 degrees??!
Urhm...you are the designated driver?
(sucka!!)
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Entry #160: And Now I Have You.
O joy!
N they look 100 times better in real life.
Most expensive shoes in my lifetime?
I've been waiting n eyeing these babies FOREVER.
N they look 100 times better in real life.
Most expensive shoes in my lifetime?
I've been waiting n eyeing these babies FOREVER.
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