If there's one thing that REALLY annoys me it's wires! Yeah, it seems silly since we think that we need them. In my mind, even as a kid, I thought there must be a way to transmit electricity with out wires or at least figure out a better way to power our appliances and gadgets. Well, as luck/fate would have it, Marin Soljacic at MIT has finally got the technology at a point where it will be widely available in the next few years!! I first heard about this a couple years ago on MIT's Technology Review website (it's one of my favorite sites! yeah, so what I'm a nerd.) but at the time it was big and impractical. In addition to just making sense and being more convenient, this could have major impact from an environmental perspective. Of course, companies will not stop putting wires on products anytime soon but in the future we will hopefully see a dramatic decrease in the use of PVC & copper for wires. Wires actually account for a major percentage of PVC consumption. There's also the environmental perspective of just how an area looks. whether in your house or on the street, wires are an unsightly eyesore. Think about how much better Tokyo will look without the wires everywhere!
I could go on and on about this but read about it more on his company's website- WiTricity
Over the years The RZA has always impressed me. I may not always like his music but can't deny how prolific he's been and how he's been able to transcend beyond hip-hop. I'll never forget meeting him like 11 years ago. I've met a lot of people in the music world, specifically the hip-hop world, and he really stood out. He talked to everybody he could, was friendly, warm and lacked any ego that you would expect. (at the time Wu-Tang was on top of the world) He just really seems connected to people and is very open-minded, positive and empathetic to the world but at the same time has been very business savvy. Now, what seems to be no surprise, he's gotten into 19th century style painting. It seems kind of humorous at first but then when you realize that he's reinterpreting classic paintings with white guys and placing himself and other Wu-Tang members in the pieces, the message becomes more profound. This project is a joint venture with W.A.I.L. I'd definitely buy one of these if I had the loot.
Oh, and The RZA is getting into making movies now too!
If you haven't already watched it a couple of times, watch The Story Of Stuff before watching this. (or at least after watching this) I'm not taking a side on this issue yet because I don't know enough yet but this is a good introduction. All you designers out there, and just socially responsible citizens, need to get educated on these issues so you really know what 'sustainability' really means and what the issues really are that affect our everyday lives and our futures.
To watch the movie, just click on the image above or click > HERE <
After a long week of frustration and hard work TheRecordPlayer.net is completely revamped! So what's the big deal? Well, for someone that barely knows any programming I did a pretty good job hard-coding CSS & HTML for a custom domain FTP blogger site. What does that mean in basic terms? A total pain in the ass! Apparently, you're very limited to what you can do with blogger on a custom domain unless you really tweak the template code...which I learned isn't truly a "template". So, unfortunately I can't use any cool XML stuff until I move the site over to a new service in a couple months. For now I am satisfied but will continue to add some features and tighten things up along the way. If any of you know a good work around to include a good tag/label cloud and solid code for pagination on an FTP blog, please let me know!! I tried everything I could find for both features and nothing worked.
So, starting tomorrow we'll be back to our irregularly scheduled programming.
Thank you for your patience! (it was worth the wait)
I'll try to keep this short. Today my computer was destroyed thanks to a ignorant/retarded/blind/shithead/asshole driver of a large truck. This waste-of-sperm actually passed me then proceeded to almost crush me between his truck and a parked PGW truck. Yeah, leave it to PGW to be at the right place at the wrong time! (oh man...don't get us Philly folk started on PGW!!!!) So, in this fiasco I was forced to get so close to the PGW truck that the edge of my bag hit the truck and I had to push my right elbow into the PGW truck to keep from falling. Fortunately I was going fast enough to not get crushed and fortunately I'm one of those bikers that knows how to react when faced with sudden danger. And, luckily the force cause the shoulder strap on my bag to break which allowed me to keep moving. If my bag didn't break I would have been in really bad shape.
Anyway....I am not physically hurt but perhaps i'm in a worse position than if I broke a leg or something. At least with a broken leg I could still make money and do my homework. (remember, I took a dive into a design degree) So, now I'm completely stuck. I am in the process of working a few different angles to raise enough to get another computer. In addition to dressing up like a bum and begging for change, I am asking you all for some support. I promise when I get another computer I will record a new mix and post it up for your downloading pleasure. So, I'm not really asking for donations...it's an investment on your future. Thank you!
What's up with the Ms. Melody look-alike trying to sing over techno beats and molesting muppets? IDK either which is why it wins the coveted title. If broken vases and flying flowers is your thing, this video is for you. On a side note, what's up with everybody that isn't hip-hop trying to look like an extra from 'I Ain't No Joke' shoot? I really need to know! Ugly neon colored everything wasn't that fly back then and is even worse now! (because it's like soooo ironic)
Since 1962 Wal Mart has spread like a plague across America to a staggering 3,176 stores. This doesn't even include their locations in other countries! You can watch the growth at FlowingData.com
For years now I've been wanting to leave America for many reasons. It's not that I'm anti-American in anyway. The problem is that our system has failed us all miserably and I for one just cannot see myself ever living a comfortable life here. This movie somewhat helps to justify my decision to leave. Why stay in a country that will most-likely not get better in my lifetime? Just watch...this is one of several documentaries about this issue that I've seen and since it's the most current, I'm posting this one..
Sure I post a lot of crazy things that all have merit but truth be told, I'm not really into most high-end design other than eye-candy. Furniture design mostly bores the shit out of me..'product design' is usually pointless or wasteful..automotive design is relatively stagnant..and overall, most so-called industrial design is only concerned with commercialization and catering to only about %15 of the total world population. Sure, people need jobs but there is plenty of money and opportunity to be made by doing good and charitable things as well. (hint* governments, charities, philanthropists...) The stuff that really matters to me is the stuff that actually does something good and positive for people that need it most. The industrial design profession a whole lacks actual visionaries with the drive and passion to do something good for anyone besides themselves and their own careers all for the sake of money. Which is probably why some of the best actual industrial design comes from scientists and engineers who are sincere about doing good and are empathetic to people's needs. Prime example is the Life Straw that is helping millions of people to have cleaner drinking water and thus be healthier (those scientists are PAID!!). The OLPC program is also worthy of mentioning as well as the Play Pump program in Africa.
Anyway, what you're looking at is an amazing invention that is enabling thousands of people with bad eyesight to see clearly again. A scientist at Oxford developed a way to make an easily modifiable lens with two thin membranes that shape according to the amount of water in-between them. The patient can do it themselves and adjust each lens to what's best for them by pushing or pulling a water-filled syringe. Once adjusted, they just take the syringe off and tighten the screw. The over all costs are immensely cheaper since they only have to produce one lens and this also saves huge amounts of money and time with distribution. The intent is to distribute 1 billion pairs over the next 11 years with a target cost of only $1. Oh, and he's just doing this to do it and takes no money from this project. Surely, these form of these glasses could be refined but all things considered, this is great design. Read the article..
This is part of a series of Public Service Announcements that aim to educate and raise social awareness of serious issues facing America. I don't have TV, so I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure these are being aired on all the major networks. If they aren't yet, they should be! I would encourage you to watch the other ones in this series too. Very enlightening.
Really I have more than 99 problems but this is the 99th posting on here and that was a good, catchy and obvious title. Aren't I clever?! (*patting self on back) Maybe I should have something better to post than just some jibberish about this being the 99th post but the truth is, I don't.
Oh....I just thought of something...I recently got this dope 7" by Kissy Asplund which is a modern R & B version of the classic drunkard song '99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall'. I'm a drunk so which is mostly why I like it. SHIT!!! just spilled beer on my keyboard! Yeah, so what if it's only 11 and I've already had a 6 pack.? You can buy that record and other good stuff from my man DJ Junior's site RecordBreakin.com.
That is the title of the cover story for the new issue of Adbusters magazine. I don't think this is the full article but is still highly recommeded. Personally, I don't quite understand that culture and don't like most of the music. I'm not a hater though, and really like some of the music emerging from that scene and have dated some girls that would be considered 'hipster' and they were actually some of the best girls I've known. I guess I'm on the outskirts of it then in some weird way. I think the author of this article certainly raises some great points about how it is a culture based on following trends instead of following yourself. This has always occurred in fashion and music but not on such a broad scale. Ultimately, it is a result of the technology that has allowed for nothing to be truly underground and allows for all 'counter' cultures to have fair share of the 'mainstream' market.
The biggest difference is that en masse, the followers of this trend have traded their individual purpose for the purpose of the companies they support. Most people feel that there should be more to life than partying and consumerism which is why the 'hipster' trend is so bizarre. Governments and companies love these people though because they are very obedient and predictable without even realizing it. I'm curious though, why so many people criticize this trend. Sure it is ridiculous and funny but, is it really different than any other trend? Well, according to this article, "yes!" The main difference is the people in this scene don't acknowledge it and they themselves have no definition of where their scene fits in society or even where they fit as individuals within their scene. This is very different from other scenes driven by music/club culture. Ask a die-hard punk, b-boy, house head or rasta and they know where they and their culture stands and what it means for them and society. They have styles that they have openly adopted as theirs. Not the 'hipster' though. It is a very curious and interesting point in the global society.
I live in a cave that makes time stand still. This explains why I don't catch on to some things until after everybody else. Case in point, the "Who's Gonna Save My Soul?" video by Gnarls Barkley. I've liked this song since I first heard it but the video is really powerful. I'm soooo glad I don't feel like the dude in this video. (been there, done that, never again) Ugh....I could go on and on about what's wrong with women and how they fuck with our minds (and their own) but I will refrain. Watch the video-
Here's a clip from the movie "What The Bleep Do We Know? (Down The Rabbit Hole)". More specifically it's from the 'quantum edition' which allows the viewer to watch the movie in potentially infinite ways by jumping in and out of 'rabbit holes' of information. By information I mean rants by people who don't know much but are really, really good at wondering and observing. By not knowing much I mean that they only know about 100 times what most of us morons do but still, I think they're on drugs. Yes, drugs of information that they vomit back at us morons who don't know what the bleep they're talking about.
Oddly enough, this really is one of my favorite movies and I do actually understand what they're talking about. I love all this nerdy shit though. It doesn't make my brain hurt either because I've been smart enough to fill my brain mostly with beer and junk food.
I highly recommend watching the other clips or just do yourself a favor and rent or buy the movie. Make sure you get the second edition and rent it for at least a week or so to assure you have time to get through even half of the bonus features.
Chris Clarke is a good up and coming designer mostly focused in graphics and typography. I think this project in the picture is quite interesting. It goes beyond game or tool territory and transforms making fonts a zen-like experience. (Both the Taoist & Buddhist I Ching are based on a system of 6x64)
"Modular Typeface design Currently In productionBox contains 64 cubes
Typecube is a design tool used to facilitate the modular construction of letterforms. Typecube’s six faces each bear a unique formal component which provide the basis of two dimensional and three dimensional typographic systems, encouraging flexibility within uniform structure. By varying the number of type cubes, typographic solutions vary in complexity, and are capable of infinite rearrangement."
So, now on the list of things to go to next time I'm in NYC is the new exhibit at MoMA called 'Home Delivery'. I've only taken a very quick look at site and it's about the idea of prefabricated housing & construction options for the urban environment. There will be 5 pre-fab structures there on site. If you care to share thoughts on prefabrication please use the comments section. I'll start by asking- Do you think that quality, craftsmanship or originality is worth compromising for prefabricated structures? Or, are these variables not affected by prefabricated processes? Also, feel free to add opinions or insight on the social, economic and environmental effects.
Progression in design and culture starts with a conversation. Let's see some dialogue!
Definitely go to MoMA's site for this exhibit> Home Delivery
Say what you will about American Apparel but I love the brand. Admittedly, I do not buy $50 sweatshirts from their stores (or anything else for that matter) but their business philosophy is one to make note of. Imagine if even 10% of companies in the world operated with similar ethics with regards to production and distribution. Sure, you could argue that because there is now another company making shirts, there is now another company using more materials and energy which is more damage to the environment. However, they have such a significant portion of that market now that other companies, that are not as conscious, may produce less and/or may have influence on those companies to adapt to similar systems. A company such as American Apparel also shows that collectively, our society is more concerned about how and where their products are made. Their marketing is clever too.
Sure, people want to criticize them for their ads for some reason. I don't see what the big fuss is all about. Not just because I like to see sexy girls in ads, but because they're not any worse than Calvin Klein, Guess, Victoria's Secret, etc... If anything, they are a lot better since they are glorifying naturally beautiful girls with out the use of airbrushing, make up artists and agents. Maybe it's the fact that these images look 'real'? A lot of them do look as though they could have just been taken by a boyfriend and that's the appeal and the success. Average citizens can relate to those images and to the company. Even at this point most people know about the good nature of that company but they continue to make people aware even in some of their sexier ads. Recently, they even included a mini newspaper with Vice to make people more aware of immigration issues in America and specifically L.A. Of course it's part of their marketing but they don't have to do what they do.
Oh, did I mention they have some beautiful pictures of girls and other great info on their site?
I've always thought that Lil Wayne is amongst the most overrated rappers ever and could never understand why anybody in their right mind would think he's dope. Seriously folks...explain to me why people continue to trick themselves, and him, into believing he's even in the top 1,000 best MCs. If you're reading this blog you probably already agree with me so I'll spare you from ranting too much and just ask a question- how do we get people to realize that he's wack and to stop supporting shit like this? or, at the very least, get people to realize that there are other really dope MCs such as Nas, Kweli, Common, etc...? (don't wanna get too deep too early!)
Imagine if Lil Wayne used some of his money to take a class or buy (and read) a book!!?? You wanna know why people are so broke? They gave their money to corny muthafuckas like this!
DJs....please STOP playing Lil Wayne records. He doesn't respect us so he gets no love.
Keep in mind, these are just a few clips and this is how he acts in public! Imagine what an asshole this dude is behind the scenes!! There's a bunch of other crap from this dude online...his interviews aren't even funny because kids are actually taking this serious. To his credit though, I'd rather listen to Weezy than Soulja Boy!
Check what he said in an interview about a month ago (this is before he threw a magazine in the interviewers' face).
Now check what he was saying just a year ago-
Nice one Weezy..show the kids how to mix up some 'lean'.
Every record digger is bound to pick up those records that just 'look dope' thinking "there's gotta be some sick break on here." Sometimes this is true but sometimes you get stuck with music that is so bad you just sit there in a state of confusion and, if the record is cheap enough, you still buy the record because you like the artwork. (Yes, I'm one of those collectors that just loves good artwork...it's the design nerd in me!) Here's some recent finds that really sucked! One of the things I love about the iPhone is the camera. The quality indoors sucks but getting them off the phone and into my computer is really easy. You'll see a lot of photos on this blog taken with my phone since I generally don't carry a camera (just something else to remember/forget and to get lost/stolen/broken).
I was really kinda torn with the Ebony record on the Soul Trap label- it's a bad reggae version of the Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney smash hit 'Ebony And Ivory'. I knew the Latin Disco compilation was a gamble (these comps always are) but this was especially bad. The Sonny Okosun actually isn't bad, I'm just not into highlife too much and was hoping for something much funkier. The Jewel Ackah was a total disappointment though..just bad 80's commercial African music. You know, it sounds like it's trying to be Americanesque but still African and just doesn't work. It doesn't help that they were trying to recreate American pop sounds from the mid-'80s.
Thanks to my man Statik for always taking time to suffer through some of the worst music clips on youtube and sending them to me. Thanks for taking one for the team bro!.I'm sure they get waaaay better but I turned them off at about the 20sec mark..because I didn't want to spoil a good thing and that much awesomeness might be too much for me. Statik just give me the war report.
First up is by a group destined for stardom called Thug Slaughter Force (or TSF as I like to call them). This song is amazing because it seems like there's only about 20 of them in the crew and together they were able to write these provocative and catchy lyrics that will be sure to make this an instant classic.
Next is a live performance of this new soul super star named Tay Zonday doing his smash hit "Chocolate Rain". Which, is apparently a more modern and urban version of Diarrhea Cha Cha Cha. Or maybe he's just some sex perv like R. Kelly. Eitherway, people take his shit seriously!
Here's a couple stories that I thought were touching. I like romantic stuff like this sometimes because it makes me feel human and I can laugh at somebody for being such a wimp! (just kidding) I'm a bit of a romantic myself but I'm not sure I'd do anything as crazy as these guys. Then again, I haven't been in a relationship in a long time and haven't had the chance to spend as much time with someone as these guys have.
I think this story is amazing. Not only is it romantic and sweet but it really shows tests the limits of focus and endurance. read- Man carves 6,000 stairs for his wife (what if he was just building himself a faster escape route?)
Now, this one isn't so sweet. Basically this man is suffering from a common mental illness only found in males called 'I can't believe she did this to me' syndrome. The cause is when a woman whom a man has spent considerable time, emotion and even money on, just decides to end the relationship or cheats on the man. Nobody really knows what causes the woman to do such things but some researchers believe they most likely suffer stupidity, selfishness and a cold heart. Unfortunately, symptoms will be with the man for life but there are cures to make life livable again. Such as getting rid of any physical evidence that reminds him of the woman. That's what this guy did. I wonder though, if he's selling everything he owns, isn't he selling his life before her too?! That seems kind of dumb if you ask me. Yeah, ok, this guy is just an idiot and she should have left him. ("that's right baby, you're with me now and I'd never sell everything I own to get you out of my life. See, i told you I'm romantic!") Read his story and check out the auction>
On a side note, I've been asked the question 'so, why are you single?' quite a bit and I honestly don't know. I have met and went out with a lot of girls in the last couple of years (like a pimp!) but have only met a couple that I sincerely wanted to be with. Even recently I met someone I really wanted to know and be with..she's awesome, smart, funny, caring, interesting, etc...we had a great time and really connected and were both looking forward to seeing each other more...I wasn't planning of building 6k stairs but would have done some other good stuff with/for her. We only hung out once though and she won't talk to me now!? I know you're probably thinking,"wtf?!" I don't know, maybe you should ask her! haha.. Or, if you know someone whom I might like, let me know. I'll warn you though, I'm picky..they must have all their limbs! (being awake, able to speak and walk would be nice too!) hehe...I kid, I kid..
Good to know: I'm not the only person with this theory
I'm not a scientist by any means although I love learning about scientific things. I am however into thinking about logical or practical theories to explain things. Such as, aliens really coming from the center of the earth and not the center of the universe...you know hard core logic based on fact and empirical evidence. We don't even know where the center of the universe is. Sorry ladies, you are not the center of the universe. That would defy logic and based on the evidence it would appear that the earth remains completely still and everything is moving around us...so, there you go, the center of the earth is where aliens come from.
Ok, back to serious reality land is the pangea theory and plate-tectonics. Even as a kid i thought it made more sense that the earth was at one point much denser and the surface was all land. Seriously, how else would all the land mass go back together unless the earth was smaller but contained the same mass. Plus, the earth is heating up and as things heat up they expand. Therefore, it would make sense that the earth is in-fact expanding. I stopped sharing this with people since it is an unpopular theory and was tired of it being called crazy, weird or dumb. I'm not surprised to learn that other people have thought this but am pleased to see that some lunatic made a video. It's ok that I call him that because he is...c'mon, he's a comic book author! Those people are scare me more than animals that look like plants.
After checking out some other hipster blogs I found something worse than those previous videos. There were many bad songs to choose from but some of the videos are actually pretty interesting. I'll post those at times too. Anyway, this is one of the worst songs I've ever heard and what is worse is that the site I saw this on was presenting it like they seriously liked it. So, don't be surprised if you hear this being played. The internet has some kids and DJs in a death grip which prevents them to make up their own opinions about what they like. And, to think...I bet a couple dudes actually got laid after this trash and those girls think their going to be famous. I'm laughing while crying;'[
UUUGGGGHHHH..... can somebody PLEEEEEEASE tell my why bullshit like this is considered dope right about now in the club scene. I have seriously asked people that are into this kind of trash why and they can't seem to understand the question. Typical responses include, "because dude...it's the shit" or "you mean, you don't like this.?" I'll continue to raise this question since I am legitimately curious as much as I am angry about popular music these days. A lot of it just seems to me like it is produced with the intent to be as bad and ridiculous as possible.
this is pretty bad too...kids really think this is 'good music' though (shaking head)
Since yesterday, Blogger.com has been royally screwed up. Everybody using FTP with their service has been experiencing issues ranging from very long loading times to not being able to publish anything at all. Most people wouldn't expect this too happen. So, like I'm sure most of us did, I tried everything I could possibly do to fix the situation on my end including having a programming master take a look at it. About an hour later I found out that the problem WAS on blogger's end. Of course this is after I wasted roughly 5 hours trying to fix the situation and repeatedly attempting to republish.
I LOOOOOVE wasting time too. Thank you Blogger and Google! I guess you get what you pay for though.
I just discovered that I can post new stuff from iPhone!!!!
I am soooo going to make the most of my time at work now. No longer will I have to pretend that I'm doing something instead of my normal days at the office that are spent checking to see if the water cooler needs a new bottle. When we actually do need a new one I just tell someone else to do it because I have work to do.
